Die verband tussen ritmeprobleme en leesprobleme

M.Ed.Reading forms the basis of the literacy of an individual and also plays a significant part in his everyday activities. This fact forms the basis for this study. The child with a reading problem, will find it very difficult to realize his full potential. There is therefore need for concern that so many children develop reading problems during the transitional-period between the junior primary and senior primary phase in school. A large percentage of pupils in this transitional phase show significant signs of poor or insufficient rhythm which further accentuates the reading problem. As reading plays such an important part in the daily functioning of mankind, it is the absolute inalienable right of every child that a great diversity of means should be sought to rectify (or improve) this problem. To get to grips with this issue (or problem) a psychological and didactical study of literature on rhythm and reading has been followed. These phenomena were described against the background of the human environment to try and ascertain the relation between rhythm- and reading problems. In the light of the above mentioned literature study it was decided that empirical research of the problem was necessary. The aim was to ascertain whether a self-designed programme of rhythmical exercises by the writer could bring about a noticeable improvement in the reading level (word recognition, speed, reading of prose) of std. 2-pupils. In the event of such an improvement a further objective was to make specific recommendations for the incorporation of such a programme in the class-situation. An at random selection was made of 42 std. 2-pupils from 8 Afrikaans speaking schools. A reading test of three different sections, namely a formal graded reading test, a test to ascertain reading speed and an informal test for prose reading were used. Teachers were asked to identify pupils with reading problems. Further information was gleaned from the cumulative record cards of such pupils