|
'Ask the Learning Advisor'
Send a link to a friend
9-year-old's reading not up to par
Note: "Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for Raising Successful
Children" is a free syndicated column from The Parent
Institute.
[JULY 22, 2005]
Q:
My 9-year-old's teacher is concerned about her
reading. She says my daughter is reading below her grade level and that
she's a reluctant reader in class. I've tried to get her to read more at
home, but she's just not interested. I'm afraid she'll fall behind. What can
I do to help her read? |
|
A:
You are about to give your child a
tremendous gift -- the love of reading! Reading is the foundation
for nearly all success in education, and you can help her build that
foundation right now! Start with these steps:
-
Take a trip to the library
and get her a library card. But before you go, think about some
things she is very interested in and help her select books on
those topics to check out. Then agree on a regular schedule to
visit the library -- once a week is a good place to start.
-
Make reading at home easy. If
the TV remote is within reach but her books are piled on a shelf
in another room, you can guess what she'll choose. Keep reading
materials handy -- and get the TV out of her bedroom.
-
Have her pick out a book for
you to read to her. Stop before the end and have her predict
what she thinks will happen. Soon enough, she'll pick up the
book herself to find out.
-
Relax her bedtime rule
once or twice a week. Tell her she can stay up later -- as long
as she's reading.
[to top of second
column in this article]
 |
Above all, have patience. Reading is a skill that improves with
lots of practice. Just give her the tools. Make sure you have enough
books, magazines, comics, newspapers (or anything else) available
for her to read anywhere, anytime. You can even check out children's
websites that she might enjoy reading. Soon enough she'll get hooked
on her newfound enjoyment, and you'll be able to watch her learn as
her reading skills soar.
[The Parent
Institute]
For more information about helping
children learn or to submit your own question, go to
http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive
a prompt answer by e-mail.
|
