Pedagogical Correction of Reading Phobia in Primary School Pupils: Methodical and Neurophysiological Aspects

Abstract

The research featured the phenomenon of the so-called reading phobia, which is characterized by an irrational obsessive fear of reading that interferes with the normal psycho-emotional development of the child, thus affecting their entire life. The paper introduces a new method of pedagogical correction of reading phobia in children of primary school age. The experiment involved six first-graders (four boys and two girls). They received correctional 40-minute classes twice a week for 3–6 months, depending on the complexity of each particular case of reading phobia. The authors developed six consecutive teaching methods: teamwork of the teacher, the psychologist, and the parents in a friendly atmosphere; face-toface work with the child; use of specially selected texts and methods of involving the child in the reading process; individual approach to the duration of classes, etc. The paper focuses on the neurophysiological characteristics and etiology of reading phobia. Reading phobia is described as a fear of reading instilled by adults, which often affects primary schoolers. The article also contains a list of negative effects of mental development and socialization that children with reading phobia are bound to face if they receive no special therapy. The developed method can be used by primary school teachers and psychologists.