When the selection is too hard

First, you can take turns reading sentences or paragraphs. This allows your child to read, while helping to prevent frustration at the difficulty.

You can also use Choral Reading, which means that the two of you read the words out loud together. This helps the child gain confidence by reading the words they know, while you support them by helping with the words that are too hard. (Make sure the child reads also.)

The third option is to read the selection to your child. Make sure you stop frequently to ask questions about what’s being read. This helps to develop ‘oral’ reading comprehension and is a valid skill children should learn. Just make sure to use other methods also.

So... what do you do if the book is too hard, or your child just isn't interested in the story they're supposed to read that night?

Parents and Public Schools

I was talking to my daughters' piano teacher today about her son's reading. She knows I work for the local school district, and was frustrated because she wanted to help him to improve, yet had no idea how to do it.

I hear that frustration a lot, and to be honest, I've been there myself. I've only worked inside the system for the last four years. Before that I sat at home and wondered, What can I do? Am I doing everything I should be?

My blog will be done from the perspective of a mother who's worked hard to gain insights into teaching professionals and what they wish parents knew. A perspective, I believe my position as a Teacher's Assistant and a mother with children who have both excelled at and struggled with school has gained me.

I invite questions and comments, and would be delighted to hear from parents and professionals that have found successful solutions to problems. There's more than one 'right' way, and having worked with many children, I've found that no one technique works for everyone. It's a matter of trying again and again until you find something that works, so the more ideas we have, the better off we'll all be.