Hi Karen,

Thanks for writing on JustAsk.  First grade is a time when mostly all  students are learning to read. Learning to read can be especially challenging for students with dyslexia, so it is great that you are looking for ways to help your child.

It is important to read aloud to your child often. When your child reads, you want him or her to feel successful so he or she can enjoy reading. To do this you can pick easy books that he or she knows how to read. Also, having your 1st grader read the same book over and over can help with feeling confident reading the book.

When you read together, you can read a sentence or a page, and then ask your child to read to you what you just read. Hearing what fluent reading sounds like and then reading the same content again will help your child build fluency.

It can also be helpful if you sign your child up for reading programs at places like Lindamood-Bell. The one-on-one reading instruction can really help your child catch up during summer.

In grad school I learned that there is a strong genetic disposition for dyslexia. Does anyone else in your family have dyslexia or trouble reading?

Here are some articles you may find helpful:

Strategies for Summer Reading for Children with Dyslexia
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Strategies_Summer/

Reading Tips for Children with Dyslexia
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Reading_Tips_Dyslexia/

Best wishes reading with your child!
- Hayley