I was wondering why my son has not picked up on reading yet? He is six and it seems like he is behind other kids in his age group and grade. Should he repeat first grade?
Most kids have difficulties at first. Instead of reading to our daughter, we made her read to us and started rewarding her for doing so. Within a month she was breezing through reading as if there was never an issue in the first place.
I second the idea of having your child read to you. As a teacher, I see way too many parents who believe that learning stops when they get home or else they are "just too tired." Remember that your child will continue to learn and absorb even when they are at home with you so keep it going, no matter how exhausting. Take your son to the library for special reading times or sometimes there are volunteers who read to the children.
You can meet with the teacher and request that your son be evaluated for learning problems. I would do that before considering whether he needs to repeat a grade. Good Luck to you and I hope this helps.
Has his teacher expressed a concern? My son is in 1st grade and is having trouble reading. He is now in a reading recovery program at school. Maybe your school has something like this.
My 6 yr old is struggling w/ reading too. However she has a WONDERFUL teacher who is very supportive.
They will not hold her back unles she is lacking in other areas (mainly social and emotional skills.) She is not.
Where is your son going to school? Have you talked to her teacher? Our teacher arranged a mtg w/ her, the counselor, the rn, the psych, the counselor, the reading specialist, the OT and the VP. Wow, it all focused on her positives. The main thing that came out of it is that it is developmental. Did you know that the curriculum that is expected out of K-2 now is what was expected from 3-5 10 years ago. children are really struggling w/ it. We had Cerise (daughter in Kumon), were doing tons of extra work and all it did was make her MISERABLE. Per the experts suggestions, we are so chilled w/ her now. No more Kumon (a great program, just too much for a 6 yr old). Her teacher uses StarFall in the classroom. Go to Starfall.com and ck it out. It corresponds to their daily work and Cerise feel like she is polaying, not working.
Cerise's teacher wants a positive ego building experience for Cerise and is working to make that happen. Never any negative reinforcement, not why can't you do this, no that is wrong, etc. Praise her strenghts so she feels empowered.
Please feel free to contact me and I can give you lots more info on this subject. I feel like I have ammasses a HUGE amnt of info on it recently and would gladly share it w/ you.
M. (mom to Cerise)
