mamoll
asks:
Q:
I have a 7 year old daughter who has ADD and does not want to learn how to read, what advice do you have to help help her be more interested?
She was in the Public School system and it was a disaster, so we now home school. She spent most of the year in public school struggling, and failed, before the school brought her progress to my attention. I fear that because of this her self confidence and love for learning have been severely damaged.
I bought a phonics curriculum, Sing Spell Read Write, because she loves to sing and is very musical as well as artistic. But she is fighting this new curriculum.
Thank you.
In Topics:
Helping my child with reading, School and Academics, Learning issues and special needs
I bought a phonics curriculum, Sing Spell Read Write, because she loves to sing and is very musical as well as artistic. But she is fighting this new curriculum.
Thank you.
> 60 days ago
What the Expert Says:
Additional Answers (4)
Children with ADHD need constant structure and routine. A very structured reading program is the key and it needs to be delivered in a structured, systematic, cumulative and sequential process. Through the routine and structure your daughter will slowly know what to expect and therefore become a more confident student. Lessons should not be longer than 20 minutes and each lesson needs to involve multisensory learning strategies. Seeing, Saying, Touching, Hearing and Moving are the elements to be included with each lesson.
Reading is a skill that needs to be practiced regularly. Without practice, young readers will not develop the vocabulary, the skills, and the fluency necessary to become strong readers. But many children, even those with strong reading skills, do not get enough practice and as a result become disinterested in reading, and can quickly become discouraged. So what do you do?
- Find books with cartoons or humor -- which only a child would find amusing
Not everything needs to be a learning lesson. Letting children read books such as Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid will keep them engaged and entertained. Although adults might find the language and humor distasteful, children find it very funny and are therefore more motivated to read.
- Zero in on your child's passions and choose books and magazines focused on areas of interest
Find books on specific topics to keep your child's interest, such as science, baseball, American Girl dolls, etc. Children who already have the background knowledge, language and vocabulary before beginning a book will have an easier time getting through the reading. Order a magazine subscription to Sports Illustrated for Kids or Nickelodeon. Children love receiving mail and reading 'their' magazines.
- Find an author that your child likes and stick with it
If your child loves reading Cat in the Hat or Junie B. Jones, then you have found a writing style which stimulates your child's interest. Go through the entire series. Don't worry if the reading is below grade level: your child is reading for pleasure and for practice. Also remember, just because you loved a certain author or series when you were a kid, this doesn't mean your child will love the same books you did. Browse the bookstore or library and find the newest, most modern series. Usually these books contain language and themes to motivate the most reluctant reader. Kids need to relate to what they are reading, and modern language usage helps.
- Let your child talk to you about the book they are reading.
When we adults read books we enjoy, we like to talk about them. After reading a book, we don't necessarily want to write a summary, book report or make a project of it. We just want to discuss it with someone else. Look interested in what your child is reading (yes, even if it is Captain Underpants) and ask questions and have your child tell you about it. Laugh with your child about the funny parts (even at the bathroom jokes) and help your child feel good about reading.
Reading is a skill that needs to be practiced regularly. Without practice, young readers will not develop the vocabulary, the skills, and the fluency necessary to become strong readers. But many children, even those with strong reading skills, do not get enough practice and as a result become disinterested in reading, and can quickly become discouraged. So what do you do?
- Find books with cartoons or humor -- which only a child would find amusing
Not everything needs to be a learning lesson. Letting children read books such as Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid will keep them engaged and entertained. Although adults might find the language and humor distasteful, children find it very funny and are therefore more motivated to read.
- Zero in on your child's passions and choose books and magazines focused on areas of interest
Find books on specific topics to keep your child's interest, such as science, baseball, American Girl dolls, etc. Children who already have the background knowledge, language and vocabulary before beginning a book will have an easier time getting through the reading. Order a magazine subscription to Sports Illustrated for Kids or Nickelodeon. Children love receiving mail and reading 'their' magazines.
- Find an author that your child likes and stick with it
If your child loves reading Cat in the Hat or Junie B. Jones, then you have found a writing style which stimulates your child's interest. Go through the entire series. Don't worry if the reading is below grade level: your child is reading for pleasure and for practice. Also remember, just because you loved a certain author or series when you were a kid, this doesn't mean your child will love the same books you did. Browse the bookstore or library and find the newest, most modern series. Usually these books contain language and themes to motivate the most reluctant reader. Kids need to relate to what they are reading, and modern language usage helps.
- Let your child talk to you about the book they are reading.
When we adults read books we enjoy, we like to talk about them. After reading a book, we don't necessarily want to write a summary, book report or make a project of it. We just want to discuss it with someone else. Look interested in what your child is reading (yes, even if it is Captain Underpants) and ask questions and have your child tell you about it. Laugh with your child about the funny parts (even at the bathroom jokes) and help your child feel good about reading.
Resources:
> 60 days ago
School/class must identify weak students and give suitable clues in understanding. The teacher must have flexible/multiple ways and means to draw the attention of student. However, proper teaching technique will elevate her. Take good measures now, delay may cause further drooping.
> 60 days ago
My advice would be to put her on the program Starfall that has a great phonics system for children. When I taught kindergarten, this program helped out a lot. Also another idea that I would implement in my classroom with helping the kids learn to read is that I would record myself along with them singing the sing spell read write alphabet song and then they would listen to it on their own in a listening center. If she is home schooled you can buy her a cool set of earphones or try and do some kind of incentive.
Hope it works for you! :)
Hope it works for you! :)
Resources:
> 60 days ago
The ADD can be sorted out by asking a doctor to perhaps have her diagnosed as such and then be treated accordingly.
She loves music and song/art, perhaps this can be a tool to use in order to bring about learning? That is, she can go for singing/music/art lessons once a week if she does her academic/curriculum learning.
Home school will reduce the stress and anxiety for both you and your daughter.
Hope information is helpful.
She loves music and song/art, perhaps this can be a tool to use in order to bring about learning? That is, she can go for singing/music/art lessons once a week if she does her academic/curriculum learning.
Home school will reduce the stress and anxiety for both you and your daughter.
Hope information is helpful.
> 60 days ago
