What Is Speed Reading for Kids
Speed reading for kids is the ability to read quickly while maintaining strong comprehension and understanding.
While some parents may search for speed reading classes for kids, at Shichida, speed reading is not taught as a separate course. Instead, the skills that support speed reading are woven into our weekly whole-brain training curriculum through visual recognition, phonics, sight word recognition, literacy games, speed listening, memory games, flashcards and comprehension activities.
Speed reading involves improving:
- reading speed
- comprehension
- visual processing
- information processing
- focus and concentration
Rather than reading word-by-word, children learn to process information more efficiently using visual recognition and faster brain processing.
Children are naturally capable of absorbing large amounts of visual information, and speed reading training helps strengthen this ability.
The Shichida Speed Reading Method
The Shichida Speed Reading Method is inspired by the Wave Speed Reading Method developed by Professor Makoto Shichida. Rather than relying only on word-by-word reading, children are gradually trained to recognise words, phrases and patterns more quickly while strengthening comprehension and recall.
In the Shichida program, speed reading foundations begin with activities such as flashcards, visual memory training, speed listening, songs, phonics and sight word recognition. As children progress, especially into the Primary levels, these foundations support more advanced speed reading practice.
Why Speed Reading Is Important for Children
Reading is a core skill that affects all areas of learning.
Developing speed reading skills from an early age helps children:
- Improve reading speed and comprehension
- Process information more efficiently
- Build strong focus and concentration
- Increase learning efficiency
- Gain confidence in reading and learning
Strong reading skills support learning across literacy, numeracy, memory and critical thinking.
What Speed Reading Skills Will Your Child Develop
Speed reading development includes a combination of visual, cognitive and language-based skills.
Reading Speed and Word Recognition
Your child develops faster reading speed and reading intuition with the ability to recognise words quickly without decoding each letter.
Comprehension and Understanding
Children improve comprehension, allowing them to understand and retain what they read more effectively.
Visual Processing and Information Absorption
Children strengthen visual processing, helping them take in more information at a glance and process it quickly.
These skills work together to support reading efficiency, comprehension and learning ability.
Why Many Children Improve Reading Speed with the Shichida Method
We focus on how children process information, not just how they read.
The Shichida Method uses structured activities that:
- improve visual processing speed
- strengthen brain processing
- support comprehension and retention
- develop focus and concentration
While traditional reading often focuses on decoding one word at a time, the Shichida Method supports faster visual recognition, information processing, comprehension and recall.
| Traditional Reading | Shichida Method |
|---|---|
| Word-by-word reading | Whole-word visual recognition for faster reading |
| Slower information processing | Faster processing speed and efficient comprehension |
| Focus on decoding | Focus on meaning, comprehension, and understanding |
| Limited reading confidence | Stronger reading confidence and independent reading ability |
We help children move beyond slow, word-by-word reading, developing faster and more efficient information processing.
See What Parents Are Saying About Shichida
What Happens in a Shichida Speed Reading Class
Parents looking for speed reading classes for kids may be interested to know that at Shichida, speed reading is not offered as a separate reading course. Instead, the foundations of speed reading are built into our weekly classes through short, age-appropriate games and activities that strengthen visual processing, concentration, memory and comprehension.
Depending on their level, children may practise:
- fast visual recognition through flashcards and word-based activities
- fast auditory processing and speed listening to prepare the brain for faster information processing
- reading passages with comprehension questions
- memory and recall activities to help retain key information
- exercises that support smoother eye tracking and stronger reading confidence
These activities help children build the foundations needed to read more efficiently while still understanding what they read.
See How Your Child Responds in Their First Class
See how your child responds in their very first class
Your trial class includes:
- A full 50-minute session
- A real classroom environment
- Guidance from a trained instructor
- Opportunity to observe your child’s response
✔ No experience needed
✔ Parent attends with child
✔ No pressure to enrol
How to Improve Your Child’s Reading Speed
Visual Reading Practice
Encourage children to recognise words and patterns visually rather than sounding out each word.
Repetition and Exposure
Consistent reading helps improve speed, comprehension and confidence.
Focus and Concentration Training
Activities that improve focus help children read more efficiently and understand information better.
When Should Children Start Speed Reading
Speed reading is not only for adults – children can begin developing reading and visual processing skills from an early age. In fact, the skills that support faster, more efficient reading are often easier to build during childhood, while the brain is still developing rapidly.
The early years are, without a doubt, the most effective time to build reading speed, comprehension and information processing ability. Shichida can show you how.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speed Reading Classes for Kids
Shichida does not offer speed reading as a separate reading course. Instead, the skills that support speed reading are built into our weekly whole-brain training classes through short, age-appropriate activities that strengthen visual processing, memory, concentration and comprehension.
Speed reading for kids is the ability to read or process information more quickly while still understanding what is being read. At Shichida, children build the foundations for this through visual recognition, speed listening, memory activities, flashcards, literacy games and comprehension-based tasks.
Speed reading activities can help children improve reading fluency, comprehension, focus, visual processing, memory and confidence. The goal is not to rush children through books, but to help them process information more efficiently while still understanding meaning.
Children can begin building the foundations for speed reading from an early age through age-appropriate visual, auditory and memory activities. At Shichida, these skills are introduced gradually as part of the weekly curriculum, rather than through formal speed reading drills.
The Shichida Method introduces speed reading through activities that train the brain to process information quickly and accurately. These may include flashcards, word recognition, speed listening, visual memory games, reading passages, comprehension questions and recall activities.
Depending on their level, children may practise fast visual recognition, word-based activities, flashcards, speed listening, memory and recall games, comprehension questions and exercises that support smoother eye tracking and reading confidence.
No. Phonics helps children understand the relationship between letters and sounds, while speed reading focuses more on processing information quickly and efficiently. At Shichida, both can work together because children are exposed to phonics, sight words, visual recognition, memory and comprehension activities.
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Give Your Child a Strong Reading Advantage
Develop reading speed, comprehension and learning efficiency from an early age.
