Teachers, I have a first grader who is having problems reading, what is a good way to help him?

Question

My 6 year old son is having an especially hard time with W's, V's and the oo sound.
I am pulling out my hair, because certain words, he'll get and 3 minutes later he can't get them again.
I have tried having him read to his toys, but he just makes up the words. I have him read to me, but he gets tripped up on the above...
His dad and I are divorced, but we work very hard together to help our son... we are both baffled.
Any tips would be greatly appriciated...
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I am a teacher and there are some simple reading strategies you and his dad can do to help him. They don't cost a thing except some quality time with your son. These strategies are great for both visual and audio learners.

Echo Reading - Choose a book on his reading level. Sit side-by-side in a comfortable place with no distractions. Instruct your son to read along - silently - while you read the sentence aloud. As you read, pass your finger along under the words. Then, as you again pass your finger along under the same sentence, have him repeat, or "echo," the sentence. Using this strategy, he looks at the words and hears what they sound like; then he has a chance to read and pronounce them correctly.

As he progresses using the above stategy, try this: Instruct him to follow along - silently - while you read aloud an entire page. Make sure you pass your finger along under the words as you read. Then, have him read the next page while you, again, pass your finger along under the words.

(It's important for a while for you to pass your finger under the words instead of letting him. When kids are younger they tend to stop their finger under each word. By reading along as you slowly pass your finger under the words he can develop speed and fluidity, which can improve his comprehension. When he reads on his own, encourage him to keep his finger slowly moving across the page.)

Another strategy: Find fun ways to incorporate vocabulary into his everyday life. For example, when you're riding in the car or getting ready for bed ask him, "Hey, how many words can you think of that begin with a 'W' (or V)?" Make up silly rhymes using the "oo" sound. When possible, get a pencil and paper and show him what the words look like. It's important that he hears and sees them.

When my son was little he had problems reading. I did these strategies with him during his first few years of school and they made a tremendous impact on his reading.

Please remember this - your son is only in first grade. He is learning to pronounce and read words and sounds that may not have been part of his vocabulary up to this point. Be patient and consistent with these strategies.

Your son is lucky to have two parents who are willing to work together to help him. I work with children every day who struggle with reading and it wouldn't have to be that way if someone at home would just take a few minutes a day to read with their kids.

Answer 2

First of all congratulations on being such a good, caring parent.
Secondly, is your son falling behind his classmates? If not, relax a little. If he is, try to consult the reading resource teacher at your school. They should be able to give you some help. They may decide to have your son tested and give him some extra help, and give your some pointers.
Don't overdo it at home or you will stress him out and he will develop a dislike of schoolwork. Try to just make it part of the daily routine. Read to him at breakfast, and have him read just a few words to you.
Most importantly, praise any progress and any effort made. Not with material things like stickers (ugh!) but with the important stuff like telling him, "Good job!", or even , "Nice try!"
I am not a fan of whole language either, if that is what your school is doing, get Hooked on Phonics.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi there,
For a simple, step-by-step program that can help your child learn to read visit this site: http://readingprogram.toptips.org

Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child. It helps them develop a better understand of their surroundings, allows them to gather information from printed materials, and provides them with a wonderful source of entertainment when they read stories and rhymes. Children develop at different rates, and some children will develop reading skills quicker than other children; however, what's important is that as the parent, you are keenly aware of your child's maturity and reading level to provide them with appropriate books and activities to help them improve.

As parents, you are the most important teacher for your children.

Also Watch this video of a 2 year old child reading http://readingprogram.toptips.org
Have a nice day

Answer 4

That problem with getting it right and then not knowing the answer 3 minutes later - I had that. Still do at times and I am 39. Stress and pressure, especially at work. Did horrible at math because I would become so stressed out when someone was trying to get me to learn that I went blank. Erase the stress of learning, teach with things he enjoys and he will learn. I teach my kids math by sneaking it in with things they love, like swimming, bike riding, etc. We don't all learn the same way. Ask other parents for advice, not teachers! Go to people who have dealt with this.

Answer 5

First and foremost, do NOT lose your patience. Continue what you are doing, but you might wish to consider these:
When watching TV (especially shws like Sesame Street) turn on the closed captioning and turn the sound down so that he needs to read them. Purposely be in the other room and ask him to read it to you so you know what is going on.
With books costing so much, take him to visit the library on a regular basis. Try to notice what kind of books he prefers so when you do buy books you buy ones he will like.
Have him help you read the ingredients of items at the grocery store.
Anywhere you are, whatever you are doing, have him read. Mae West wasn't talking about reading, but she was correct when she answered the question about how she got to be sooooo good at what she does and said, "Practice, practice, practice!"

Good luck and keep encouraging him.

Answer 6

here goes...
1. read to him every day...he needs to hear the sounds embedded in text to use the cues...does that sound right? does that make sense?
2. have him read to you...he must read texts that are on his instructional level...talk to the teacher about this...she can loan you some texts or send one home every evening. when he comes to a point of difficulty...ask him to try it then ask him to make only the first sound and you supply the rest of the difficult word then ask him...does that look right? have him run his finger under the word and LOOK at the letters in sequence and say the word to make a decision.
3. keep working

Answer 7

he might have a learning disability. don't take a way his toys if he is having a problem with reading. it's not his fault he is having a hard time. you go see the school councilor and talk to them about having testing for is a disability. it could also be if there is a trouble at home there could be trouble with school. if your stressed out about something then he will feel it and get stressed out as well.

you might want to try hooked on phonics. and limiting his TV time and what he watches. also try books that he might be int rested in even if they seem a little more advanced. my mom and i read Anne of green gables togetter when i was younger she would do a chapter then i would do the next on. and you might have to try the twist and spell from leap frog it's a lot of fun for learning how to spell.

Answer 8

sign up her in Sylvan getting to understand center. My youngest niece had examining problems ..and now she has study 50 books in over the final 2 years without problems and no help. additionally, attempt to verify if she has dyslexia, or eye problems. those 2 issues additionally influence the examining potential. good success

Answer 9

Baffled?? Kids don't come with instruction manuals, they are very spontaneous! Keep doing what you have been doing. Post the Phonetic sounds on his wall and around the house. Make it a regular occurrence in the morning and evening for him to recite those consonant and vowel sounds before he brushes his teeth and goes to bed. Practice makes perfect. You have to keep drilling him until gets it.

Answer 10

This problem can easily be assisted by the speech therapist at school. I have 3 students that see one at my school and this free service is really helping them. Start early and you will see the improvements by the end of the year. It sounds like a speech problem to me, not a reading problem.