- Strategies to Help Kids Who Struggle
Did you know that learning to read is a challenge for almost 40 percent of
kids? The good news is that with early help, most reading problems can be
prevented. The bad news is that 44 percent of parents who notice their child
having trouble wait a year or more before getting help.
Unfortunately, the older a child is, the more difficult it is to teach him or her
to read. The window of opportunity closes early for most kids. If a child can't
read well by the end of third grade, odds are that he or she will never catch
up. And the effects of falling behind and feeling like a failure can be
devastating.
Early identification is crucial. Please, if you suspect a problem, don't
hesitate. Learn about reading difficulties, get your child assessed, find out
what you can do, and don't give up!
Card from Children of
the Code
- Why They Struggle
A lot of parents wonder, "Why is this so hard for my child?" The answers
aren't clear, but scientists have discovered that the brain of a child with
reading problems handles reading differently than that of a strong reader.
Some kids have a disability that makes reading difficult to learn. Others
come to school without the literacy experiences they need to become
readers. Some children struggle because they've received poor or
inadequate reading instruction. When these and other risk factors are
identified early, though, many children's reading difficulties can be
prevented.
Child's Reading
- Related articles
Children With Reading Disability
By: Robert Bock (1998)
NICHD research on children with learning disabilities has shown that
deficiencies in processing letter-sounds are at the heart of most reading
problems. This article illustrates how letter-sound processing works, and
describes strategies for teaching children this skill.
Dyslexia: Beyond the Myth
By: Suzanne Carreker (2004)
This article describes the most common characterists of dyslexia and other
learning disorders, and what you can do if you suspect your child has a
problem.
Identifying Risk Factors to Prevent Difficulties
By: Catherine Snow, Susan Burns, & Peg Griffin (1998)
There are certain characteristics of groups and individual children that
increase their likelihood of struggling with reading. Find out how to use
knowledge of these risk factors to help prevent reading problems for these
children.
Preventing Difficulties for Low English Proficiency Children
By: Susan Burns, Peg Griffin, & Catherine Snow (1999)
Hispanic students in the United States are at especially high risk of reading
difficulties. Despite progress over the past 15 to 20 years, they are about
twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to read well below average for their
age.
Reading Risk Indicators by Grade Level
By: Reading Rockets (2003)
The following is a general list of risk factors for reading difficulties by grade
level. Please note that the list is not all-inclusive and should be interpreted
with reference to age and grade expectations.
Struggling Reader Portraits
By: Diane Henry Leipzig (2001)
Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or a community member, you may
have a child in your life who isn't as successful with reading as you think he
or she could be. But not all reading difficulties look the same, and not all
reading difficulties should be addressed in the same way.
Who Are the Children Who Have Reading Difficulties?
By: Susan Burns, Peg Griffin, & Catherine Snow (1999)
Knowing which children are more likely to be at risk for reading problems
allows for early intervention to prevent the majority of these problems from
developing. Learn what group and individual factors make certain children
at risk.
Educational
Therapy
Designated as
Dyslexia
Awareness Month
Target the Problem!
Other Difficulties
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