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What are some factors affecting reading?

Reading is a complex combination of skills. The human brain must act like a computer: data is taken in via the eyes (or fingers, in the case of Braille), processed within the brain, interpreted and becomes information.

Several factors affect an individual's ability to read: native intelligence, eyesight, neural processing, and prior knowledge. Elementary school teachers are well-acquainted with the child who can decode well enough to read a passage aloud, but who cannot restate what has been "read" in order to demonstrate that it actually was comprehended.

There are many factors that pertain to the complex process of reading. Environmental factors such as ambient lighting, temperature, comfort, and complexity of the material affects reading greatly. Intrinsic factors such as regression, eye movement, and number of words per fixation also affects reading. It all depends on numerous factors that weigh into whether someone can read well or not.

We can examine the process of reading from may different angles.

We can think of reading as a physiological process of vision. This aspect of reading and the factors affecting have been studied extensively under the scientific discipline of ergonomics.

We can also look at reading as a process of information collection and learning. Factors that affect these aspects are the nature of the reading material as well as the psychological aspects of individuals such as perception and motivations.

krishna-agrawala is right that psychological factors can influence the ability to read. If a child is anxious and suffers from a learning disability, learning to read can be a drawn-out and painful process. Additionally, if a child does not see adults and older siblings in the home valuing reading, it can influence the child to disparage reading as something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

The previous post's identification is critical.  The sooner and more often a child is introduced to reading, the better and more receptive they will be to the reading process.  If a child is engaged in reading more at home, this will transmit to success in reading, or at the very least, will have a minimizing effect on the challenges within reading.  It must be a consistent, worthwhile, and authentic of expression within the reading practice.  I think another factor that impacts reading is how often a child is able to talk about reading.  The challenges, successes, and interests in reading increases when they are able to talk about it with someone in a relevant fashion.  I cannot help but feel that this would also translate into success in writing, as well.