10 Ways to Help Struggling Readers
Today, Jennifer shares 10 ways to help struggling readers:
Some kids are born bookworms but other kids struggle with reading. Don't fret -- it's perfectly normal! Reading is a wonderful way for your child to expand their imagination and vocabulary and also eventually provide them a means for independent quiet time. It's key to make reading fun, not a dreaded chore. If your child is struggling with reading, working with their teacher is important, as is reinforcement at home. Here are some strategies that have worked well with my kids:
1. Read every day. Make reading a daily family commitment. Turn off the TV and perhaps allocate a window before bedtime each night as cozy reading time.
2. Help choose (at first). Help your kids select books (e.g., featuring characters and topics they enjoy) and make sure the books are grade level appropriate so as not to frustrate them yet still provide a bit of a challenge. Eventually, they'll develop a sense for what kind of books they can handle (e.g., based on pictures/no pictures, size of text, etc.).
3. Read with them. And get into character! Reading to/with your child will help them a lot. Ask simple questions about the stories to help build on comprehension. Also, use silly voices, and get animated! It will help your child get into the spirit of the book.
4. Encourage independence. Get your child their own library card. Having their own card makes them feel like a grown up! Visit your library regularly to check out books and participate in enrichment activities such as story time.
5. Make books easily accessible. I keep books by the bedside for my kids if they wake up earlier than usual. Or keep a small basket of assorted reading material in a playroom or family room.
6. Make books a treat. To entice a reluctant reader wrap some books in gift wrap or kraft paper (or the comics section of the newspaper). Have them choose a wrapped book to read to you. Create a book wishlist for birthdays and holiday gift giving with your child. I've also found that my kids enjoy stickers as a reward for reading time.
7. Look beyond books. Don't forget about kid friendly magazines and comics as another source of reading material.
8. Play games. Play rhyming games with word families (e.g., hat and cat), which teaches phonemic awareness. Create your own sight word bingo game (ask your child's teacher for help with a list of sight words or reference the Dolch word list). My kids have also enjoyed the reading games at Starfall.
9. Be a role model. Children model what they see parents/caregivers do so make reading a part of your life as well. (If you need inspiration, here's a crazy amazing reading list for you!)
10. Stay calm. If your child is struggling a lot with reading, frustration (for you and your child) is inevitable and will probably elevate anxiety. Try to stay calm. Take a break and come back to the reading when the emotions have died down. Remember that reading together can be a fun way to spend time together and that they will get it eventually; that kids develop strengths in different areas at different times.
Do you have other strategies to share? We'd love to hear them in the comments below!
Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Comments
Great ideas! Also: we know that one of our kids is a very kinesthetic learner, so we never insist that she stay still while reading. She likes rocking, squirming on the floor, drumming her fingers, etc.
One more thing: We helped our kids tremendously by getting their eyes checked. Both are farsighted & need reading glasses. Many more kids are farsighted than we realize.
Posted by: Debbie | November 8, 2012 9:08 AM | Reply to this comment
I love #7 on this list. As a former 6th grade teacher, my students were often surprised when I encouraged them to bring in magazines and comic books for silent reading. I'm a firm believer that whatever print material engages them "counts" as reading material.
Posted by: Cindy | November 8, 2012 4:28 PM | Reply to this comment
Just wanted to chime in on two things I couldn't fit in the piece. My son is farsighted so having vision checked I feel is really important if you suspect a reading issue.
Also, my friend who is a former pediatric occupational therapist also gave me some good insight from the OT perspecitive:
Eye tracking: necessary for following words on a page
Convergence (following an object from far to close to nose with eyes only): If not successfully converging, could be seeing double when words/objects get too close
Visual Discrimination: Lets us see differences when reading. (i.e. /was/ and /saw/ )
Visual Closure: Helps us recognize words when given only partial letters. This also helps with learning new words.
Participating in games that move from left to right (directionality) (movement and fine motor included) can help reading skills.
Some kids with these visual challenges may benefit from working with an OT as well.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 9, 2012 6:53 AM | Reply to this comment