Four Ways to Approach Your Child’s Reading Problems

Your child’s reading problems are real life problems since reading is required in all school subjects.  The percentage can vary depending on the specific definition of “reading problems,” but approximately 20% of children have reading problems. This includes conditions like dyslexia and other reading difficulties. There are four ways to approach your child’s reading problems.

First Approach

The least favorable approach is a wait and see approach. Some parents are told statements such as, “Give it more time and she’ll catch on soon.” or “Boys are just slower to read than girls.”  Well intentioned advice can actually cause your child considerable setback.  Kindergarten through second grade is when children concentrate on learning to read but from third grade onward children must read to learn.  Hence, mandatory third grade retention if your child does not pass the high stakes reading testing.

Second Approach

A second approach is for you to work with your child at home. While you might not be a professional teacher, you can teach your child to read by purchasing reading materials.  One parent book is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  You might require your child to use reading websites such as ABC Mouse, Starfall, Raz-Kids, or Nessy. These supports help many children learn to read.

Third Approach

Many parents hire a tutor as a third approach to reading struggles. I recommend one-to-one reading tutoring as the best way to make reading gains.  There are plenty of teachers tutoring after school at libraries, homes, and businesses.  Most schoolteachers tutor use an eclectic approach to teaching reading.

Fourth Approach

Call for school neurological testing when your parental instinct is telling you your child’s struggles are more than developmental and might be dyslexia. In this approach we test for dyslexia and other learning disabilities.  Our testing pinpoints exactly what is causing the struggle so you can provide targeted support rather than try and see support. If it is dyslexia, Florida gives parents money to help with tutoring costs.

Call (561) 625 4125 if you would like to discuss your child’s reading problems or concerns for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or anxiety.