Homeschooling or public-school learning, some children will face challenges with reading. Some children grab onto it and pick it up right away, while others struggle to form the words or comprehend what they are reading. There are no wrong or right ways of teaching and sustaining reading in kids, but when they are having a difficult time, it’s always good to remember a few pointers to ease their learning curve.
Recognizing the Struggle
As adults, it can be hard thinking back to when we had to learn everything as kids, and that can oftentimes make some matters worse. Thinking that your child isn’t putting enough effort into it or that one day it’ll just “click” type of mentality may make your child feel worse, and that will in turn make it harder for them to focus and read properly. If you had any challenges in reading when growing up, share these with your kid and help them understand that it is not a short-coming, and that you can help them in whatever capacity they need. Let them feel relaxed and don’t pressure them to pick it up quickly, as it can take time to master all those words.
Catching The Challenges Early
If you think your child is having a hard time reading, be sure to say something right away, whether it’s to a doctor, teacher, or healthcare professional. If they are just experiencing a learning curve, this can help you and their teacher come up with a better plan to help them study and start building a good reading foundation before it becomes a huge struggle for them to keep up. And if you suspect it might be something more than a learning curve, it’s never a bad idea to check with a doctor and rule out any physical barriers that may be stopping them, such as learning disabilities or dyslexia.
Stay Positive and Calm
And no matter what the situation is, remember to stay positive and calm when helping your kid read. They are most likely frustrated, stressed, and even embarrassed that they cannot comprehend certain words or have a hard time forming sentences in their head. They may be getting picked on at school or facing a failing grade, so be that positive force for them to take a deep breath and focus on what they can accomplish, even if it is letter by letter and word by word.
Katie Kyzivat