Reading Help for First Grader

My son struggled a lot in the beginning. It was hard for us because it seemed like everyone we knew had kids reading at older levels. I have read suggestions on different things on here.

One mom suggested the library. That is great I believe because they have so many FREE programs that rock. We have tons of books at home but every other week we go to the library and I allow my 3 kids (7, 4 and 2) to pick out their own books. My son (7 yrs, 1st grade) would pick out easy books but once I noticed they were getting too easy I suggested harder books and praised him on his progress.

Sight words are a must, if he isn't great at those Walmart has some inexpensive flash cards that were awesome for my son. Also one mom suggested the Starfall website, that is FREE too and an awesome outlet, my kids honestly think it is just for playing.

You might offer to let him read one page you read another page. This way he doesn't get overwhelmed by the length. I have also re-read the book to my son afterward too. The biggest thing I think for you is to keep him excited about reading. Read street signs, magazines, whatever it takes. You may have a grandparent, cousin or family member send him postcards...

I think that although you want him to read books, etc know that just taking small steps can be so rewarding for him.

Either way you are not alone mom...I have been dealing with the same struggle :) Good Luck!

K.

If my child was needing extra help in school I would do the Kumon learning centers. I really like their methods from a teacher/educational stand point. They build on skills in a logical way not a traditional method.

As someone who had & has a learning disability, I would have him evaluated by a neuropsychologist or someone else qualified to make sure that that isn't the case. I wish mine had been evaluated early on, school would have been much easier & I see kids all the time that I can tell have learning disabilities that are just overlooked. A great neuropsycholoist is Dr. Lange ###-###-####. But just an idea.

If you are looking for professional help for your son: http://gail.trieger.org
Good luck!

I agree with the other person who said keep reading TO him as well. That way he will still be learning, and will still associate books with a positive, special time with you. My son is in 2nd grade, and should be able to read chapter books by now. But for whatever reason(has ADHD, needs glasses, would rather read about science), he has a fit when we ask him to read a real book, or a poem, or even when we mention the word homework. In K and 1st grade, I would pick books with fewer words on the page because he would get lost when the sentence wrapped around to the next line, take turns with him reading a page and then I'd read the next page so he wouldn't get as tired, and do some reading online (starfall.com was great for kindergarten). Also, he's allowed to listen to audio books for 15 minutes a day as a reward at school.

Be sure to check out programs at your local library. they typically have summer reading programs and give "incentives" for attaining certain levels of books that are read throughout the program. When my kids were younger, they totally loved it! Usually the program is based on age of participant, and they are reading age-appropriate books. The best thing about it, it is free!

M., when my son was in first grade I had major eye surgery to try and save my vision (it didn't work in one eye but thats a whole different story lol) anyway I was required to keep my head face down for weeks on end after each of 6 surgeries I had in my eye. While laying face down there is not a whole lot you can do. no tv no video no computer. But my favorite thing to do is read. Well I couldn't hold my head up even long enough to read. But my son knew how much I was missing it. So one day he said mama maybe I could read my book to you. It was the longest half hour of my life but he did it every day and he became more confident in his reading because I made such a big deal about how much I was enjoying it. Make sure he has books that are in his level. My son would master a level and it took forever to move him forward to the next level. But it is so worth it. He reads as much as he can get his hands on now.

consider getting him tested for learning differences. once you know what the issues you then you can help your son. A good tester will have the perfect tips for your boy.

Hi M.,

Is he getting extra help because he is having difficulty learning to read or is it just speed? If there are no other issues and it is just speed why not check into your local library. The programs are all free and fun. Get him his own library card and check out their programs. Sometimes they even have Saturday programs so you won't have to wait for summer. I do not live in your are but my local library has a great summer reading program. My son did not have an issue with reading he just hated reading. I let him pick what he wanted to read and anything he showed interest in. He loved car magazines, comic books, etc. Even if you read with him every night he will be still be learning. If you see he is still struggling then maybe you should have him evaluated for dyslexia. Catching dyslexia early is crucial to future learning. Good luck!!

Hi M.,
Does your son know his site words? He should know most of his site words at this point. Google dolch site words to see what words that he should know. My daughter who has above average intelligence was not learning her site words in first grade even though she loved books and she was getting reading help at school, I researched dyslexia. I requested that the school test her, they refused stating she is too young, (not true) you should never wait and see. It is my right to have her tested, so I hired an advocate, she was tested and diagnosed with dyslexia. She is now in 3rd grade and reading at grade level due to intervention. Dyslexic kids are usually extremely bright they just need a specific method to learn to read. I am not saying that your son has dyslexia, I am just saying that if he continues to struggle and it is undiagnosed dyslexia he will not learn unless he receives the specialized reading instruction. There are a lot of other reasons he could be struggling, I just wanted to throw this possiblility out there for you to keep in the back of your mind. Good luck

We used Headsprout when our daughter was 4 1/2. It worked incredible! It is an online program, about 80 lessons, 10-20 minutes for each lesson. My daughter really wanted to learn how to read, but in truth, she did not like the program. It was too "boy-oriented" for her (aliens, animals, etc. not princesses and fairies!) BUT, it did it's job. It is expensive, but it worked great! Check out their website at headsprout.com, because I recently got an e-mail from them saying they have a more advanced program now that may be more age appropriate for your son.

Hi M., My son has had extra help in reading for the last couple years in school. He is now in 5th grade and now has reached all his goals so next year in Jr. High he won't need it. Now he just doesn't like to read especially chapter books! Both of my boys 10 and 8 have to read 20 mins a day and my oldest will find the easiest books in the house to read! But my youngest will read chapter books and he has had a speech problem and help with that since he was 2. But they both love going to the libary! Try that with with your son and see if that helps. See if u can leave your 3 year old with daddy or someone else and just him and u go, I bet he will enjoy that! Good luck

How about a book that has his name in it as part of the story, with 2 or 3 of his friends' names. Check out www.bloomin-book.com to see what books are available.

www.starfall.com
LD testing
Charlotte Mason "Narration" the following cut and paste from
http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/charlotte-...

Narration

When you ask a child to narrate, you’re asking him to tell back in his own words what he just saw, heard, or read. The narration can be oral or written or drawn — whatever. Because the child must think through the information and determine how to present it, mixed with his own opinion and impressions, this method of evaluation requires a much higher thinking level than mere fill-in-the-blank or answer-the-posed-question-with-a-fact methods. When requesting a child to narrate, word the question in an open, essay-type form, such as “Tell all you know about _____” or “Describe _____.” (See more ideas for narration.)
If a book you’re using gives a list of Discussion Questions, first ask the child to tell you all he knows about what was just read, then use only selected questions to cover any information he omitted.

for more on narration check out http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/narration/

Hooked on Phonics is a great reading program. Also have you considered getting him involved in a summer reading program at your local library? Pizza Hut's "Book It!" program is a fun incentive too.

interesting article that may help:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201002/...

if you can afford it sylavins learning center. if necessary. I taught mine to break down words when possible like blackout. or doghouse. its not as scary and he read by the time he started kindergarten.

Have him read to the three year old. She won't know if he messes up and it may help with his confidence that his sister's enjoying the story.

Hi M.,
We use a website called time4learning. It does reading as well as other subjects, and really helped my son learn to read. Here is the link, http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/index.html Also, what I like is that you can cancel anytime, so if it is not helping as much as you would like, you have not spent too much. Does your son like video games, or all those trading card games? They were both very helpful in getting my son to enjoy reading. Specifically he played a nintendo game called Animal Crossing that has a ton of text to read, and Pokemon games do too. So if he wanted to play, he had to read. Hope that helps, enjoy the journey!

Hi M. P, my son had the same problem and I was at my wits end! But after talking with his teacher and we came up with some sound suggestions to help his interest and increase his ability to read, he is taking off. The first thing I had to do was take the pressure off! I was stressing because he was not reading at my level of expectation. So, I had to take a step back and let him develop on his own. I started looking for books that was his favorite movie was based on and the first book he selected had 740 pages!!! But every night and everytime we would ride in the car to school, I would read to him. Bedtime was a an exciting time because we had an expectation of the story and he was excited. Before I knew it we had read the book Eragon and he was on top of the world.

Take it slow and stop putting the pressure on him to read. If he has no developmental issues he will get it - just be patient and let it happen. Keep reading to him and then slowly exchange, you read one, he reads one. I know what you are going thru but hang in there - it will click very soon.

Carrie M.