Children and reading progress

[Sir Kenyth]

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.

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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!

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

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Formidable Flirty Fishy Sorcerer of the HADB

[This message has been edited by Sorcerer Alex (edited 10-23-2001).]

[Larry_OHF]

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.

[DragonMage]

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.

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.

[Sir Kenyth]

Originally posted by Larry_OHF: 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.

I agree with you fully! When time grows short TV is one luxury that has to go. I think that the cartoon channels really hurt a childs reading skills. I used to love reading books. Kids these days seem to avoid reading because the TV is so much easier. I imagine visualization skills are hurt too. Cartoons such as D-ball Z and pokemon seem a bit bizarre. I suppose I would have loved them as a kid too. Time seems to be a problem these days too. The average person works 9-10 hours a day now. Many have a significant commute time to add. You're supposed to fit working out and self improvement(college, certifications) into your day too. As I get older I realize that your most important resource in life is time. Everyone is given the same amount per day. You'll never have enough to do everything you want. Including time to spend with your kids.

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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!

[Moiraine]

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.

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The world is my oyster !

[Sir Kenyth]

Originally posted by DragonMage: 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. 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.

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.

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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, 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

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Guerilla gourmet, and former proprieter of the KFA.

[DragonMage]

Originally posted by Sir Kenyth: 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.

I hope it helps! And I do hope that his mom will understand the importance of this issue. Your idea to let his 'free' time be that with his mom is a great balance. Just make sure you do find a bit of 'free' time with him as well. Also - another thought (though I'm not sure how old your son is), as he progresses, encourage him to write things. A paragraph here, another there on something he likes. To help him get the whole grammar and syntax thing down. Have him write something about his favorite pet/animal. Another time, about his favorite car, superhero, book. Just something to keep it different, yet keep him reading and thinking.

[DragonMage]

Originally posted by Desuma_Malevois: 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

ok - you just proved to me that I am, by far, the oddest person in existence! I've suspected this for quite some time, now I KNOW it.

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. 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. But participation is better. I'm just fortunate that I liked reading so much. ).]

[This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 10-23-2001).]