Reading Help

Reading Help Is on the Way

Any child can have reading problems and need reading help. One way to head off such problems is to start from birth to encourage the love of words, stories, and books. Children who grow up in homes filled with books and who get read to frequently rarely have problems reading. Another way to avoid problems is to stay abreast of what's happening in school - check your child's assignments, talk to her teacher, and visit the class.

Still, no matter what you do, your child may need reading help. Consider seeking help if your child:

• Has problems concentrating/listening
  
• Resists reading aloud
  
• Cannot sound out easy words
  
• Skips over or makes half-hearted attempts at new words
  
• Cannot make corrections when she misreads a word
  
• Reads silently more slowly than average

Before panicking, take a few simple steps to identify the problem: Have her vision and hearing checked. Talk to the teacher about any problems in the classroom. Ask yourself if she is getting too much pressure or not enough support. Talk to your child about school and see if anything is troubling her.

You may find that she just needs glasses or is being distracted by a classmate. However, if you still don't have an answer, talk to the teacher about having tests performed to rule out any potential reading difficulty. If the school does not have such services, ask for a referral to a professional who can perform the necessary assessments.

In the meantime, read with her daily, even if she seems resistant. Look for material that relates to her interests. Create a project you can do together, like assembling photos and making a family history book.

Once a reading problem is diagnosed, reading help is crucial. Your child's teacher may be able to spend extra time with her, but you may also want to enroll her in a reading program. Tutoring programs are an excellent form of reading help. Your child's school may provide a list of tutoring services. Sylvan Learning offers reading help in every grade level. Individual attention is the most helpful when students are having any difficulties.

The continued support of your child's reading by the whole family is also a vital form of reading help.