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He has a real hard time trying to read. I don't have much patience to sit and listen to him struggle. I know I really need to, but him and I end up mad and confussed. He went to summer school this summer but he still does really try, I guess I would say. He doesn't look at all the letters and then just guessing something. Vowels are a big prob. too, Is there anything I can do to help? Any web sites maybe? hire a tutor? I do want him to pass third grade and not get down on himself and have low or no self esteem. Please can you help him and me.

2006-08-17 12:51:06 · 16 answers · asked by bobsdidi 5 in Education & Reference Other - Education

16 answers

Hi!

First, you must verify that he does not have a reading disorder like dyslexia. Or as other people posted, make sure he does not have a hearing problem or need glasses. If he is ok, then he is just struggeling... or just being lazy.
:)

(imho) Teaching someone to read is a matter of praise and patience... and rewards. Here are some exercises you can do to help your son read better.

Practice the sounds each letter in the alphabet makes. Do this everytime you sit down to eat- but only do this exercise one time per meal (no need to overwhelm). Make him go down the alphabet. Be an intent listener while he is doing this. Look him in the eyes, nod with a soft smile for every correct sound. When he makes a mistake, correct him with a soft smile, but only once (so he doesn't get discourage).

He should be doing most of the speaking, not you. This will make him feel like you really care about what he is saying. Even when he did poorly, you must never show your annoyance or disappointment. Every exercise should end with a "Good job- I'm proud of you." (sounds corny I know... but even if a child denies it, they love hearing these words).

When he does his sounds very well, instead of just a normal dessert after his meal, give a special dessert (extra whipcream, extra cherry, extra cookie, etc.) Do not go on and on about this reward- a simple statement will do... "You did so well on your sounds today, I guess I will have to do something a little extra special for you." Then leave it at that.

At night, when he goes to bed, lay down next to him on his bed and tell him you cannot sleep. Ask him him to read YOU a story. Pick something short and easy. If you do not have any easy books at home, there are books at the bookstore that have reading levels for kids (1-beginner, etc.). Read along with him, so when he comes to a word he is struggeling with or he says the word wrong, you can correct him.

Periodically, stop the story to ask him questions. Even ask him about the pictures in the story. When he says a larger word correctly, ask him how he knew to read that word the way he did. Make an observation about the letter combinations. "I always had trouble with the 'ch' sound when I was your age. You must be super smart to know how these letters sound when together." When the story is over, yawn and say, "Thanks! I hope you have sweet dreams. I love you."

A parent reading with their child is the best way for a child to improve their reading. Your child looks up to you, and enjoys the time you are spending with them."

There is always an opportunity for an exercise or lesson. While driving, when you stop at a red light, you can read billboards and signs together. You can even have a lesson at the grocery store. Point to a box and say, do you know that word? When he gets is right, say "Awesome! you are good at this." Wait a few minutes (about 7 to 10) before you pick another word to ask him about. Keep doing do this cycle until you are done shopping. At the end of the shopping, buy him a small reward (pack of gum/skittles/etc) for participating in the exercise.

This might not be true for all kids, but it has been my experience that... at this critical age for reading, the more time the child spent playing video games, the worse the child's reading skills were. Try to limit his video games and TV time. When he is in his room with not much to do (no tv... no x-box), he might get bored enough to pick up a book on his own and look through it. So make sure there are lots of books for him to look at- even if they are too advance for his reading level. Usually the first books boys will grab will be something about the workings of the earth... like books on snakes, creatures of the ocean, tornadoes, whatever. Make sure the books have great pictures too. It is not so much about him actually reading the book (most of these books books will be too advanced), it is about him growing a love for books- seeing that books can be cool.

Another thing you can do is take him to a library. Community libraries usually have things happening on the weekends for kids. Take him to one of the activity days or something.

Also, think about investing in computer programs that encourage reading. Make this apart of his homeowrk routine. After he completes his homework, he must spend 20 minutes working on the reading program.

I hope this helps... Best Wishes... T.

2006-08-17 13:52:33 · answer #1 · answered by Theophania 4 · 1 0

Hooked on phonics! It really works. Be patient, only work with him when you are well rested and won't be interrupted. My daughter had the same problem when she was 8. I had her read different things(flyer's we got in the mail, a page in a magazine, and books) for only a short period of time each day 10 minutes of reading out loud was all I would require of her, and we would take turns reading so that she could hear my reading flow. I would tell her the words she didn't know to eliminate some of the frustration and to keep her from losing confidence. Does he need glasses?

2006-08-17 13:13:09 · answer #2 · answered by khurte 1 · 1 0

May I suggest The Reading Pen II? It is a hand-held device that allows the child to scan a word in, it will pronounce it, define it if the child wishes. It is not cheap, but I think it makes a lot of sense. I think it runs about $200. At least read the link and see what you think. The investment now may make a world of difference. I saw this advertised in an airplane magazine and thought it would be a great tool.

I teach adults.

2006-08-17 13:04:49 · answer #3 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 1 0

You can hire a tutor if you can't spend the time with him, but as you said, you should. You may also consider requesting your school's psychologist to test him to see if he has any learning disabilities. It's your right as a parent to have your child evaluated if you want to. The psychologist can also give you ideas on how to make reading time the most effective (and smoother) so that it is more positive for both of you. You can also speak with his teacher to see how he is learning words in school, and do the same at home for repetition and practice.

2006-08-17 13:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

just be patient with your son, I'm sure he'll be fine! i know when i was in school i hated reading because i stuttered alot as a kid and i read very slow! i went to speech classes that helped out so much and taught me to slow down. some children just need a little more time because not all kids learn at the same pace. i would ask his teacher if she or he had a little time maybe after school for a little extra help. good luck with the reading and i hope this helps out some!

2006-08-17 13:03:28 · answer #5 · answered by thelastdragon 3 · 0 0

when my son was in first grade he had a lot of trouble reading as well. come to find out, it wasn't the trouble with reading he was having, it was his hearing. i was really surprised to find out when i took him to a specialist that he was not able to hear at all in his left ear and his right ear his hearing was about 20-30%. he had to have surgery to put tubes in his ears, but unfortunately it was to late in the school year for him to catch up and he had to repeat the grade, but it didn't take him long after the surgery to be right with the rest of the kids. he also did have to take some speech classes because when you have trouble hearing you do not learn how to pronounce words correctly. he is now 15 and doing well in school. so my suggestion is, if you haven't already, to have his hearing checked, that may be the problem that he is having with his reading. i hope this helped some, and don't get discouraged, if he sees you frustrated he in turn will get frustrated and that will make it even harder and more confusing for him to learn. good luck, i hope all goes well for you both.....

2006-08-17 13:51:10 · answer #6 · answered by lisavholley 1 · 0 0

He can sense your lack of patience. He figures 'Why should I try if she doesn't really care?' Have more patience and try getting him to read a page over and over until he get's it right, then move onto the next one. When he sees he can do it right, he will try harder to make it right the first time - especially when you praise him for his successes.

2006-08-17 13:01:30 · answer #7 · answered by Newt 4 · 1 0

Well... since he is eight, by now he should be reading, so I suggest a tutor, and start out with some simple books like if he likes cars, get him a (kids) magazine about cars, or a book..............

2006-08-17 15:24:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Have him checked for dyslexia or ADD. Give him things that interest him and it will encourage him to read. You can also go to a library and take out a copy of Hooked on Phonics if they have one available.

2006-08-17 13:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by hazeleyedbeauty1967 6 · 1 0

I suggest you buy him books(even comic books) that he will think are so cool he has to read them!

if this dosen't work then you could reward him for reading an agread amount of literature (out loud otherwise he might just skip it altogether)

2006-08-17 13:00:13 · answer #10 · answered by Truth 2 · 2 0

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