Ruth Miskin shares 10 simple, uplifting rescue steps—from one-to-one practice in a quiet spot to modelling the sound and sprinkling encouragement to re-engage those switched off readers.

“Team Stop Signal” — where the teacher raises a hand and every child responds by raising theirs, instantly quieting down without shouting, nagging, rhymes, or gimmicks — a calm, consistent method that ensures partner talk works and keeps lessons on track.

Children’s lifelong outcomes depend heavily on how quickly they learn to read. That’s why Read Write Inc. schools focus on teaching reading fast as this early progression opens up the world of reading and writing.

Every “hands-up” question lets four-fifths of the class tune out and even random name-pulling still leaves most watching rather than thinking. Ruth Miskin argues that pairing children to discuss every question ensures genuine engagement and makes thinking visible.

Paying, or rewarding, young readers with stickers, points, or monetary incentives turns reading into a chore, damages natural curiosity, replaces self-motivation with calculation, and ultimately undermines the emotional engagement that fuels a lifelong love of reading.