Kids can experience difficulties in learning over a broad spectrum of subjects, but reading can be an especially tricky subject for kids. Reading requires a lot of work on the brain’s part, as it involves a lot of concentration, memory, and word usage and meaning. Your child may struggle when it comes to reading, and catching on to this fact early enough in their learning can help you both overcome this hurdle.
Signs of Struggle
The hardest part about your child struggling to read is knowing that they are struggling! Far too often, children may feel shy or reserved about sharing that they are having hard time understanding reading or reading in general. It’s up to you as a parent to double check with their teachers and talk with your children and make sure they feel comfortable and understand the information they are absorbing.
Whether it’s reading textbooks or novels, kids can struggle on multiple levels when it comes to reading. The more obvious signs of struggle are when they jump right into their homework that doesn’t require as much reading, but struggle to start reading a book. It may take them a long time to read a short amount of text, or have difficulty remembering what the words mean. They may also struggle in reading assignment notes, written instructions, or other quick blurbs of text. They may not recognize easier or shorter words as well. Procrastination is a definite sign, no matter how obvious or subtle it may be.
Making Change
Although your child will not want to continue reading, you’ll want to encourage them as much as you can! Making it as easy as possible to start comprehending the information is your first step. If they are having difficulty understanding the information, and the words, start with books that are for a grade or two lower than your child’s current grade. This can help them understand the words and subject matter a little easier, and start to gain more confidence. Have them read the book out loud to you so you can make sure they are pronouncing the words correctly, and you can ask them questions related to the material to ensure they are understanding it as well. Try to have them read every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. This can help build up their confidence and keep those reading muscles alert and ready to learn!
Katie Kyzivat