Analyzing the Reading Skills and Visual Perception Levels of First Grade Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze primary school first grade students' reading levels and correlate their visual perception skills. For this purpose, students' reading speed, reading comprehension and reading errors were determined using The Informal Reading Inventory. Students' visual perception levels were also analyzed using Beery-Buktenica Developmental Visual Motor Coordination Test. Results have shown that most of the students were in the anxiety (poor) level (75%) and the rest of the children were in the instructional level (25%). It has been found that instructional level first grade students had better scores in reading speed, reading comprehension, and reading errors. They also had significantly (p<0.01) better scores on the visual perception test. The Pearson correlation test also indicated that there is a positive relation between visual perception skills (visual perception and visual motor coordination) and reading levels. It has been suggested that students' visual perception skills should be supported for successful reading processes.