How can I help my first grader learn to read?

Question

I am having a problem getting my 6 year old to read. He just acts like he is not interested at all. He just stares at the words and dont even want to try to sound it out. I took him to the public library to get his own library card and check out some books that he likes and we looked at them one night. I am really beginning to worry about him. His grades in school are pretty good but they could be better if he was able to read alittle better. If anyone has any ideas, it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Here is a website that might help you:
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/CompactforReading/tablek.html
It has worksheets/flashcard printouts that are geared for parents to use with their kids.....you don't have to do them all, you can pick and choose the areas that you think your child needs to improve.
If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see that it goes up to grade three, so you should be set for a while.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

I don't know how it works in your son's school but my daughter is also 6 and she brings home 1-2 pages of new words every week that are printed on cardboard, she then has to cut them out, punch a whole and attach them to a ring. This allows her to flip through them. All the kids in her class know how to identify these words because they have learnt them by heart. I wasn't sure it was a good idea at first because it isn't really reading if she knows it by heart but it has enabled her to recognize these same words when she is reading a book which makes it easier to read. I am sure that the main reason your son doesn't want to read is because he feels he can't do it. Try reading him the book but letting him take over when an easy word comes up. You could also talk to his teacher, she may be able to send you some reading aids.

Answer 3

My mom had that problem with all of her kids- we were really stubborn, too. But somehow she did it. It takes patience, and you have to stand your ground. My mom made me read every night with her when I was 6, and now, my parents have to tell me to stop reading for once! But don't push it too much, because then they'll really lose interest, they'll think reading is a negative thing. Nobody can handle that much Peter Rabbit. But anyway, get your point across and be firm. He'll thank you so much some day.

Answer 4

One of my earliest memories was reading with my grandmother at a doctor's office, waiting for my mom. She picked up Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and we found a word I knew: "THE". We read through the whole book, and I was responsible for pointing out every THE.

Read with your children, as often as possible. Every other reading, pick a short new word your child should recognize, and make him/her responsible for picking out that word, as well as all the words that have been his/her responsibility before. It should catch on soon.