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Does anyone have a similar problem? My son is very far behind in reading and spelling. I attribute this to two things. The first was just recently noticed. I think he may have had an eye problem. I noticed that he couldn't read the numbers off of passing speed limit and highway signs while the car was moving. When stopped he could read them though. I read that some children have problem keeping their eyes focused on a single point. This is not a physiological difficulty, but a learned one. It is a product of how the child learns to focus on things early in life (baby, toddler). It makes reading and keeping ones place on the page difficult. Since he constantly used his finger to keep his place while reading, I think this was the case. The child avoids doing the difficult task and this makes development even worse. He was cured of this during a summer class where he received a lot of one on one attention. Unfortunately, he is now way behind. This is where the second problem comes in. 24 hour a day cartoons! I've discontinued getting cable. I'm going to start a reading regimen. I'll have him read a portion of a fun book and afterward tell me what it was about. I think this exercise will greatly improve his reading and comprehension. I'm not sure about spelling though. Should I first concentrate on his reading skill and then worry about spelling? I don't know quite how to handle this. I was reading at a high school level by his age. I'm worried because reading is the foundation of learning. Poor readers learn poorly. At the same time I want him to get enough exercise to stay healthy. Keeping him inside to study could be counter productive.
------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
I'm very sorry to hear about this, Sir Kenyth. But I know that young children can bridge incredible gaps in short spaces of time, and if you keep working on the problem, your son is sure to pick up reading and spelling soon enough. Keep on helping him as much as you can, and I'm sure he'll greatly improve in the years to come. I was a terrible reader/speller when I was very young, but with lots of support from my teachers and parents I managed to overcome it. I don't see why your son should be any different http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif
------------------ http://home-3.12move.nl/~se021070/sig2.jpg Formidable Flirty Fishy Sorcerer of the HADB [This message has been edited by Sorcerer Alex (edited 10-23-2001).] |
<font color="white">For this reason, my wife and I only have a TV to rent videos when we have the money and if it is rated to our family satisfaction. The TV is kept in the closet until the special time that we feel like having a nice quiet time on the couch together. Cable is nonexistant in our home, and we don't even have an antena to pick up local channels.
It makes for a better home, in my opinion. With the time saved...I can do more house work that my wife needs me to do, read more, and plain out do more in a day's time. The only time I am on the PC at home is later that night...usually when everyone else are in bed. </font> |
I, for one, applaud you! Not only for your concern, but your thoughtful efforts to help your son. I cannot give you advice from a parental standpoint, but maybe a teacher's will do as I once taught Pre-K.
So far, I think you've got things down. Encouraging the reading by providing enjoyable material, expecting him to not only read - but comprehend - what he's read. Pencil puzzles are good for spelling AND reading. You can find simple ones to start with. This helps VERY MUCH with spelling....I know from personal experience. My parents started me off with circle word books. At first it was very hard to find the words, but it got easier and easier the more I did. As a result, I also learned more words than I normally would have encountered so young. Another idea would be to give him a new word each week to learn to spell, define and use in a sentence. I think, though, that you should teach both at the same time. Don't forsake one for the other. Both should be handled in tandem. Maybe rotate days - one day reading, next day spelling - just so it doesn't seem monotonous. And as a treat, since he likes cartoons - once in a while, have him read you a comic book. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif Ultimately, however, providing encouragement and rewarding with praise is the most important aspect of his learning. And you seem to have that well in hand. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif |
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------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
Sir Kenyth, I haven't had the issue you mention with my only child, so I can't give you an educated advice. One thing I've noticed though : my son is a book-eater, but I must nonetheless proceed with much care when I want to suggest a book to him, because, I think, as I am a 'parent', something in his wicked mind tells him that the book won't be good ...
Also, when he was learning how to read, I noticed that his progresses were not smooth and regular, but more by successive jumps. As if, at times, things just clicked in his mind. Beware not to disgust him of reading by forcing it on him ... Hope that helps. ------------------ http://www.ot-nancy.fr/photos_ot/m_office_exterieur.jpg http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/hero2.gif The world is my oyster ! |
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Word puzzles! I never even thought of that! Thanks DM! What an outstanding idea! I'll have to go and get a few tonight. I knew I'd get some killer ideas if I posted here! I've only got one problem left. He's going to have to live with me a while. His lives with his mother and she works a great deal at night from her home. She let's him have a lot more freedom than me and isn't quite as strict. I don't think it should be a big problem since technically I still have primary custody. We get along very well and I think she'll understand that he needs a little more personal attention now. She'll be able to see him for a few hours after school every day before I get home from work anyway. He can use that time to see her and play outside. ------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
Sir Kenyth, let me ask you a question, and I don't mean any insult by it - do you read much now? Children will most often follow the examples that their parents set, and if your child doesn't see you enjoying reading, then it may hold no appeal for him.
My daughter Katie is 5 years old. She is in a class of mixed kindergarten/first graders. She is the only one who can read in the class - in fact she reads at a second grade level at least. She also comprehends what she reads. My wife and I never pushed her into reading but she enjoys it greatly. I attribute her skill and enjoyment to two things. First, she doesn't watch hours of television. Second, her parents both LOVE to read and she sees us reading often. Again, I mean no insult by my question but I felt I had to ask since you hadn't stated your own reading frequency. At any rate,, I wish you success with your son. Mike ------------------ Guerilla gourmet, and former proprieter of the KFA. |
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I agree with you that, as a child sees, a child will often do. And taking the time to read yourself, as well as with your child, will encourage interest for the child. However, I'm odd - growing up, my parents worked so much that I NEVER saw them pick up a book. My father is not fond of reading, he can't seem to sit still long enough to read, plus he has poor eyesight. My mom just never has the time, it seems. Yet they encouraged ME to do so, bought me books, encyclopedias, etc. When punished and sent to my room - you never heard me complain. A couple hours later, my mom would come in to check on me and there I'd be with a dozen encyclopedias AND a dictionary open, tracking down information on my latest interests. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif And when I got Battlefield Earth at about 12 years old, I read it in ONE day...all 1000+ pages of it. Just goes to show how encouragement is a big part of it. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif But participation is better. I'm just fortunate that I liked reading so much. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif).] [This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 10-23-2001).] |
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------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
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------------------ Guerilla gourmet, and former proprieter of the KFA. |
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And I hope I didn't belittle your point. I was actually attempting to support it. Just had to throw in my little 'oddity' with it. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif |
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------------------ Guerilla gourmet, and former proprieter of the KFA. |
Out of curiosity, how old is your son?
DM already suggested word puzzles also Desuma_Malevois have a good point about the child seeing what its parents do. There are easy to read books, that might help your son reading (they helped me) Dont you pick the books though, as someone else said here already. Your son might see whatever you choice as not good. If your sons school have a library you can ask his teacher to find him one of those easy to read books, or just tell the teacher to direct him to that particular section of the library and let him choice a book himself. Dont let him read by himself, but sit next to him, helping him reading http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif Due to a disease I had as a child (stupid epilipsi) I was quite far behind in school, not just reading but about it all. Thanks to some of the aforementioned easy to read books, and special lessons. I got good after it http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif As for your sons eye problem. I dont know about it (havnt heard about it) I suggest that you see a doctor about it. Keep in mind that I dont have any kids, but am talking from my own experience |
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------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
Hm... I can't really help here, as I only have my own experience and I was an avid reader, teaching myself to read (both English and German) only a few months after learning English - I was about 5 or 6 years old. I suppose that one of the important things is - do not force him to read, you could put him off reading for life! Encourage him to read and discourage his watching TV, but make sure that reading is fun and not an onerous chore...
------------------ http://imagehosting.bidbay.com/image.php3?imgID=614236 http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/hero2.gif Sapphire Dragoness of ALSB Waitress at Cloudy's Cafe Magess of Lady Lioness' Court Saint of the SoS Historian of IW Most Illustrious Arch-Magess of the Illuminati Lux omnis est Once Upon A Paper Writer's Forum |
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Some indicators of problems like these are: Having to use excess concentration to read. Constantly using a finger to keep ones place. Difficulty reading from objects that are moving. Difficulty throwing and catching a ball (spatial perception). Poor hand-eye coordination. Reading with only one eye. I can't remember all of it. It was interesting though. I would have never though about a small lack of physical coordination leading to reading problems. ------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
Hmm my daughter is 4 and not readying properly yet.. but she is learning and has always been facinated by books knowing many by rote. At her request I got her a leap pad which is a kind computerised reading aid .. you point a pencil shaped thing (technical term there I think) at the book and it reads it to you, so if you get stuck on a word it helps. Or it can read the whole book to you, but you have to turn pages etc.
We read together a lot, but this toy really excites her... Quote:
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I've grown up in a famaily where the TV was usually on when anyone is home
And i saw more tv thenm parents (both were working really hard and i accepted the fact they did just be sure to show enough love for you kid as imho opinion and that's AS important as spending time with them) And now I'm sitting behind the Computer while watching Feyenoord - Bayern But basicly that fact i watch TV only help me readin and with engl;ish but that is just dutch television where they love subtitles If you want your kids to read make it fun to read lket him chose the subject don't force him Because dispice the fact it's my third language the most books i buy lately are English because they are just more fun (somehow Except Feist not must fantasy gets translated http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/frown.gif) ------------------ http://www.phpshop.net/images/rikard/rikard2.gif |
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------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
Cerise,
Where did you get it? More importantly what is it exactly? Namebrand, etc..Thanks. |
Sir Kenyth
I'm going to presume that, by your admission that by the time you were his age, you were reading at high school level, your son is beyond 'easy reader' books. I'm a homeschooling mom presently of a 14-and a 12-yr old. Our almost 19 yr old was also home taught and now lives in CA state doing rather well for himself. (One other is in public school) The oldest was *not* particularly fond of reading until he discovered the world of nanotechnology (while *I* *still* can't figure out how or what it is!). Then he sort of blossomed--and is now developing a computer game with a couple testers (for one of the big companies). *How* he made the transition, I still haven't a clue. But he did and is now an avid reader--of computer-related (*BORING*) books. The 14 yr old is like dear ol'mom--got his nose in a book likely as not. He just discovered Jordan and is devouring the WOT series. Like me, he is a varied and very fast reader and always has been. The 12 yr old--you couldn't pay her to read most of the time! I used to defend myself and her reading abilities to my sister (a public school teacher) and my mother (a snotty, know-all, do-gooder bitch) because she would absolutely refuse to read aloud anything they asked of her. But at home, if something caught her eye--like an article in Nat'l Geo--she'd very competently read the thing out loud for everyone without prompting!!! And she's done this for three years or so. There *was* a problem early on. She kept saying she 'couldn't' read and I took this to mean she didn't think she had the capability. Then I took her to the eye doctor for a screening and found she was far-sighted--thus she couldn't *see* to read well. In my long winded way, I guess I'm trying to say that if you can find the trigger, your son will not only read, but actually *want* to read! For my oldest, it was itty bitty technology and how it applies to the future. For my daughter, it's usually sports or Pokemon related (sometimes x-files type stuff). Give her Pokemon and she'll read happily for hours! Give her much else, and it's like pulling teeth ("this is stupid!" "I don't want to read this!" ::huge snort, rolls eyes:: as only a preteen girl can, etc.) Puzzle books are great. So are computer games which have spelling type puzzles. As for books, depending on his age, the 'choose your own adventure' ones can be fun as they allow for variety and a certain control over the story not available in the typical static story. Or have him write his own short-shorts--and illustrate them. If they're ultra short (in the beginning), his attention span won't be shot and if he illustrates the story, it'll help him focus and concentrate better while being a bit of creative fun. Put them together in a 'book' of his very own when you have a certain pre-agreed upon number--and give them as presents to grandparents, etc. (computer printers with their fancy fonts--if he types, he's learning typing *and* spelling!--are wonderful inventions!!!) Learning isn't meant to be boring or at the expense of fun! Beware the 'he should be reading at xxx level at this age' crap the public school preaches. They cater to the 'average' child, a creature who simply does not exist. All children are exceptional, yet in different ways. Our job and *theirs* (the school's) is to find what particular gift(s) a child has and expand it to create a well-rounded and -developed individual! As for tv, use it as a teaching medium. I realize you have little or no control over what is watched at your ex's house, but if you discuss your concerns with her, surely you can come to an agreement which will sit well with both of you. Hope this helps a bit. If you'd like, e-mail me offlist (addy in profile). Garnet |
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I sure don't expect him to be reading at the level I was. I was a gifted reader. Spelling and vocabulary were also strong points. On the other hand, this was balanced out by poor to mediocre performance in math. Grant is performing to standards in math. I did expect him to be able to read competently by this point in time. I catch him constantly asking me or other relatives what something says, without even trying to read it himself. I always answer with,"well, you've got eyes to read it with too. Don't you buddy?" and I make him read it. At this point in time, I think he dislikes reading and writing because he knows he is so far behind and it shames him. Avoiding it won't make him better at it though. I'll start off with reading comprehension and a verbal report of what he read and some word circle puzzles. After a little while I'll make him write his report in a few sentences. ------------------ Member of ORT Master Barbsman and weilder of the razor wit! Official royal toad! Ribbit! Ribbet I say! The true secret to happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have! |
I sure don't expect him to be reading at the level I was. I was a gifted reader. Spelling and vocabulary were also strong points. On the other hand, this was balanced out by poor to mediocre performance in math. Grant is performing to standards in math. I did expect him to be able to read competently by this point in time. I catch him constantly asking me or other relatives what something says, without even trying to read it himself. I always answer with,"well, you've got eyes to read it with too. Don't you buddy?" and I make him read it. At this point in time, I think he dislikes reading and writing because he knows he is so far behind and it shames him. Avoiding it won't make him better at it though. I'll start off with reading comprehension and a verbal report of what he read and some word circle puzzles. After a little while I'll make him write his report in a few sentences. [/B][/QUOTE] I was the same way too---lingual skills were leaps beyond everyone else and math--well, math sucks (interestingly enough, my son who reads avidly has the same 'difficulty'. I think it has to do with the thinking processes. Mathematics tend to be more abstract while reading is more concrete, skills-wise. Altho everyday arithmetic is a different story--practical and easy.) Sounds like you've got a plan, though. All the best of energies sent your way on this one! Garnet |
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