Between The Lions | Phonological Awareness

While reading on of my Reading Research books there was a small list of websites that teach.  This PBS website for the show Between the Lions contains information and activities for beginning reading with emphasis on phonological awareness and phonics.

Click Here to Check it Out.

You and your child will love it.

Raising Boys Who Want To Read

For a variety of reasons, it can be harder to get boys interested in reading than girls.  Check out this post over at No Time for Flash Cards for some wonderful ideas to get the boy in your life excited about reading - some of which we've shared here before!

Teaching Your Child to Read Series

No Time for Flashcards is hosting the first post of series called Teaching Your Child to Read. It has some wonderful easy practical advice! Check it out here and look for the rest of the series over at I Can Teach My Child.

I'm Discouraged My Child Isn't Reading

Last May, at the end of the school year, I felt as if I was at a stand still with one of my children.  She wouldn't read, and when she did try I wasn't seeing much progress.  After much frustration on my part, I decided to back off for a while and give us both a break.  I continued to read to her, using my finger to point to the words so she could see what I was reading.  When we started school again in August, I decided she could use as much review as possible, so we pretty much went back to the beginning.  She didn't seem to be "getting it" any quicker than she had last spring, so we went slow.  Some days I wondered if she would ever catch up.  Within the last month I have seen huge progress.  It took a long time, but I feel like we're finally moving forward.  Here are a few tips that may help.   

• Try not to get discouraged - (Believe me, I know sometimes this is easier said than done).
• Stick with what they know until they are comfortable and fluent at it. - We worked on 3 letter words for about 3-4 months.
• Reward their efforts. - If she tries really hard and makes the effort I reward her with stickers, etc. After so many accumulated stickers you can offer a reward.
• If you feel yourself getting frustrated, find a mentor. - There is a great lady at our church who has/still is home schooling her 8 children.  She doesn't have a struggling reader, but she's had struggles and is such an encouragement to keep me from wondering "What am I'm doing wrong?"
• Most of all, try to enjoy them.  It's super hard when they don't want to read, but give them time.  Read to them and enjoy the time you are spending with them.

Make A Book With Your Children

I think we all have memories of growing up.  Vacations we've taken with our families, holidays, etc.  I also have memories of things I made.  Kids like to create.  So today, as I was home schooling my girls, I had an idea for my struggling reader.  I'm going to have her make her own book.  She is going to draw the pictures and even help create the story.  If I make sure to put it in words she can read, maybe this would encourage her to want to read.  After all, it will be her creation.

It doesn't have to be anything fancy.  If all you have is some construction paper and crayons, that is fine.  Give them some ideas for a story line.  A pet, grandparents, their birthday.  Let them choose and see if it doesn't peak an interest into the wonderful world of reading.

Tips for Motivating a Struggling/Reluctant Reader, pt. 3

When I saw Mrs. Shea's great post with her tips for helping a resistant reader, I wanted to echo and re-emphasize a few of the things she said.

When your child is struggling with reading, encourage your child to pick books that really interest him or her. This is not the time to drag out the Accelerated Reader list or to try to pick something perfectly on grade or reading level. Many children stop reading about the time they start getting assigned books they don’t really care about, but they HAVE to read for school. Reading stops being fun.

If your child isn’t reading, the surest way to motivate them is to find a great book that features something they LOVE. Wrestling? Unicorns? There’s a book out there on almost anything. If you can, go to a large public library or bookstore and help your child browse. Ask a librarian or store clerk to help. It might help to do some advance prep; search this site and other reading/library/bookstore sites for recommended books. If your child chooses a book that is obviously below his or her reading level, that can be okay. Sometimes we need to go back to “comfort” reads – adults do it too! However, try to encourage your child to also pick out something that is closer to appropriate reading level, in case he or she quickly becomes bored with that easy read.

Also, Mrs. Shea recommended having an older child that your child looks up to read with your child. That's great, but you don't have to stop there! Have you heard about the programs where struggling readers read to dogs? Suggest your child read to the family pet - they are generally non-judgmental listeners. Maybe your child could also read to a favorite doll. Be creative - sometimes catching them by surprise makes them forget they didn't want to read in the first place!

Resistant Readers: Helping them Fall For Reading

Who was it that coined the phrase about "To have a child is to have your heart forever go about walking outside your body?" Whoever they were, they were right. And when you send your child off to school struggling to read, you worry. It's inevitable. School curricula are so intense these days. There's always more you can do as a parent. It's so easy to begin measuring our own self-worth by our child's phonemic awareness. At the end of an exhausting day, the nagging, perpetual worry about a child's low reading level creep in.

As much as you and I try and be the solution, the aid, the help in our child's difficulties -- sometimes, we just make it worse.

Here's a small thought, just something to think about as you work with your child: Am I having fun? Because if you're too caught up in the angst, your child will be, too. They might not know why, but it won't be fun anymore. And that can be a contributing factor -- sometimes, a pretty powerful contributing factor -- to resistant readers.

There's still reason to smile, though. In fact, the answer can be that simple. If you think your child isn't enjoying reading (whether or not it has anything to do with you,) try these ideas -- or add your own in our comments!

• Have your child re-read books on an easier reading level. Praise, praise, giggle, praise. Make silly jokes, be impressed with what they can do, lavish them with adoration and smiles and glee. Success breeds enjoyment, and enjoyment breeds desire to continue.
• With books clearly beyond their reading level, take a minute to scan the page. Before they continue reading the story, pre-introduce one or two of the larger words to your child. Tell them what the word is, sound it out yourself, have them sound it out, and then explain the definition. This should be a brief, quick exercise so that it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story, but will help keep them from discouragement as they read.
• As the On The Lap blog has hinted before, don't feel the need to correct every effort, or to belabor every attempt they make. Sounding out every word on a page just isn't fun. (If I had to do the same thing in a foreign tongue, I'd want to die, wouldn't you?)
• Make sure you ask your child's teacher for independent and instructional reading level. At an instructional level, they should still be able to read 95% of the text without help.
• Offer to read a book taking turns with a child, and make goofy voices for different characters.
• Allow them opportunities to teach. They can "teach" younger siblings about letters; you can innocently ask, "What sound does CH make, again, honey?" as you are reading the newspaper (and then you can model sounding out a word! This shows them we all struggle and need reminders/assistance.)
• Ask school and local librarians for books on some of your child's favorite subjects. Choose some you can read to your child, and some to read together.
• Consider older children your child looks up to: older siblings, cousins, neighbors, babysitters, etc. and enlist their help. Have them model independent reading, and have them ask your child to read to them. When they shower praise upon your child, you have just multiplied your own efforts.

What else have you done with struggling readers to help them stay interested in reading, even when it feels challenging?

Tips for Helping a Struggling Reader

If you have a struggling reader you know just how frustrating it can be.  If you've looked for strategies, but it seems like they're not working, don't give up.  Here are a couple of things I've recently tried with my daughter who is resisting it too.

• Read street signs, cereal boxes, game pieces/cards, restaurant menus, etc.  You will be reading it to them, taking the focus off of the reading, but they'll be learning the value of why they need to learn.
• Try alternating pages.  You read the left pages and have them read the right side pages.
• Don't correct all their mistakes.  Give yourself a maximum number of mistakes you'll correct.  I only correct approx. one error per page.  If the focus is on the errors they won't want to read, only to be corrected.
• Read to them.  My daughter was resisting so bad I just stopped fighting her.  After about a month she asked why I wasn't having her read anymore.
• Most of all, praise them for their efforts! 

 

Tips for Motivating a Struggling/Reluctant Reader, pt. 2

When you are dealing with struggling, reluctant, or even non-reader (the child that just flat refuses to read), keep a positive attitude. If reading becomes a battle, and something that your child is forced to do, then they won't be able to discover the joy of reading. And if their reading ability becomes something they are ashamed of, then they will just push it completely off their radar.

Please don’t belittle your child for not reading. Don’t talk about what a bad reader he or she is in front of him or her. I can’t tell you how many times I saw parents speaking harshly to or about their reluctant readers when I was a children’s librarian in public libraries. And then, I would literally see the child’s face fall, and they would lose interest in reading – sometimes just grabbing whatever book is close by to get things over with, or digging in their heels and refusing to be a part of the process at all. I know it’s frustrating, but please keep encouraging your child. If you've already been forcing the issue, back off for a bit. Give your child some breathing space, and then bring up the issue again later, in a positive manner.

More tips coming soon!

Tips for Motivating a Struggling/Reluctant Reader, pt. 1

It can be so frustrating to have a child who refuses to read! We all know how important reading is for a child's development - what can a parent or caregiver do to motivate a reluctant reader?

1. Make sure that your child sees you reading! Why would he or she want to read if you never read? Magazines and newspapers also count as reading.

2. Don’t hesitate to read to your child if your child is refusing to read. In fact, reading aloud is fun and a great way to spend quality time with your child. When you read to your child, you have the opportunity to make the text come alive – be dramatic and make it fun! Also, when you read to your child, you have the chance to expose them to books above their reading level, but not above their interest level. You’re reading the “hard” words; they are enjoying the story and learning to love books, and to aspire to read something beyond what their current reading level. Many parents choose favorite chapter books like the Little House on the Prairie books or even the Harry Potter series to read to children who couldn’t quite make it through a book like that on their own.

3. Be alert to problems your child is having and use your judgment about when you may need to speak with your child’s teacher, doctor, or a reading specialist. Sometimes children refuse to read because they can’t. Your child may have dyslexia, a learning disability, poor vision, or another issue that needs professional assistance. Don’t expect your child’s school to automatically pick up on a problem of this nature, and don't hesitate to advocate for your child.

Watch for more posts on how to turn your non-reading child into a reader!

FREE Sight Word Game Download

Craft Nectar has this fabulous sight word game that you can download and customize.  Her amazing husband with his amazing skills developed this scrabble game to help children memorize and learn their sight words.  Download yours here.

Let Me Introduce You to Graphic Novels

We have not discussed graphic novels before and I think it is high time.  I have an 8 year old boy who loves them so I can't figure out why I haven't mentioned them before.  If you aren't sure what a graphic novel is, imagine the comic books you read as a kid mixed with some of the best novel stories you remember...you've got a graphic novel.  I recently ran across a blog post that made me fall in love with this type of literature, simply by discribing their children's love for them.

Alphabet - Letter Rocks

When you take one look at these rocks, you know exactly what they are for.  Jennifer over at Just Write, shows us how to make these beautiful rocks that obviously should be used for letter recognition, spelling, phonemic awareness, etc.  Visit her blog for the how too...

Featured Author: Robert Munsch

Robert Munsch is without a doubt one of my personal favorites in the land of childrens' book authors.  His books are great but what makes him so spectacular is his story telling.  If you want your child to pick up a book, have him listen to Robert Munsch tell the story and the excitement will spill over into your child's desire to read.  His ability to capture the excitement of a story and turn it into something children treasure is golden. 

You and your child can drag and drop the image of the book you want to look at or listen too into a box and let Mr. Munsch himself give to you an experience you will not forget.

5 Strategies for Motivating Your Struggling Reader

I am always looking for ways to help struggling readers.  Parents are always asking me for advice and I have found some great advice by Ann Lodgson, a school psychologist who specializes in helping parents and teachers help struggling students, offers the following five strategies for motivating reluctant readers with reading activities they will enjoy.  I wholeheartedly agree with these strategies because it could simply take one of them to help your child.  Read the strategies and some suggestions I have included below as well.

1. Pair books with audio books

This is a tried and true method that has been used by teachers for years and I have many myself.  Many libraries have both printed and audio versions of books. Check them out and have your child follow the words in the printed book as the audio book plays. Or, have your child read a chapter, then listen to the chapter on tape.  You can make your own or check out offers from scholastic.com.  If you may even find great downloads from such authors as Robert Munsch.  You can even drag and drop the book images so you can view or listen to them directly on his website.  We can not underestimate how increasing the enjoyment of books, helps struggling readers.

2. Use your television’s closed caption feature

Encouraging Reading: Books for Car Trips

We just returned from a whirlwind weeklong car trip that involved driving from NC to GA to FL and then all around the state of FL and back again. That’s a lot of time in the car for a 20 month old, and we found that books really helped to keep her entertained. In my rush to pack, I only put a few in her bag, but after a stop at my parents’ house we left with a supply from Nana’s collection.

Books aren’t just good for keeping kids quiet and entertained when you’re on a road trip. I think planning for a trip can provide an opportunity to make reading special. Get a new book or two for the trip. For young children, it’s easy to pick out something that features a favorite thing (my daughter loves ducks – and her Nana lent us the fabulous Dib and Dab’s Swimming Day). For older children, let them pick. Then put the books away until just the right moment in the journey! The anticipation is part of the fun.

As a librarian, I’m usually a big advocate for checking out library books rather than buying them, but in the case of travelling, I think it’s a good time to buy a book. First of all, you don’t want to be the person paying a hotel or campground or relative to ship back an overdue library book or the person who lost the library book at Disney World or wherever. Second, there is something very special about owning a book. It shows a child that books are important enough to own, and gives them opportunities to reread or revisit whenever they like. If you’re watching your pennies (as most of us are), look for books at the dollar store (I noticed my local Dollar Tree has a decent selection of Sesame Street board books), thrift stores (you can often find series chapter books here), or discount stores like Marshalls, Ross, or TJ Maxx, where brand new quality children’s books show up for a song - even bestsellers!

Finally, make sure that you bring along a good book for the trip, or at least a few magazines. Let your child see you pick out a special title and relax/escape with it on your journey. That example will go far.

My Child Refuses to Read

Lately I have been having some great difficulty with one of my girls.  She all of a sudden started refusing to read.  I know its for attention - it started when the new baby was born - but it's frustrating none the less. 

In my mind I was going to 'win', so to speak.  I know its a battle of wills, and therefore I figured if I came out stronger, then I would win.  I guess I forgot where she gets her strong will from. LOL  We are now 2 months into our standoff.  I have been growing very weary of this whole thing.  I don't want to hold her back and redo Kindergarten.  In my mind that would make me feel like a failure (I homeschool), but I can't let her move ahead if she's not willing to do the work.  So, last Sunday I ran into a friend at church.  She also happens to homeschool and has much more experience than me, so I thought maybe she could help me come up with some kind of solution.  I broke down in tears over the stress that had been building.  She listened, without judgement, and then said to me, "Just read to her, that way she doesn't lose what she has learned up to this point."  It sounded so simple, so basic.  Why hadn't I thought of that?  I agreed to try it. But more importantly, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was able to see the situation a little more clearly.

It's been one week since that conversation.  Not only am I reading to her, but I realized if I use my finger to point out the words I'm reading, she will at least follow along visually.  At times I will find her looking at books, and sometimes she will ask me what something says.  Usually it is a word that is way above her phonics level.  I answer her, with the hopes that maybe she is reading silently to herself, even if she won't read to me yet.  I've decided to back off on trying to get her to read, at least for a little while. After all, I don't want her to end up hating reading.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you not to get discouraged.  Don't let it become a battle of wills.  The biggest lesson I've learned through all of this is to just love your child through it. And read to them, so they will someday learn to love reading too.

Getting Your Child to Love Reading

Do you struggle getting your child to read?  Get your child a book about something that interests them.  I know this may sound basic to some of you, but to a child who struggles, they just don't want to read, period.  It doesn't matter what the subject or content.  They'll find a reason not to open the book. 

When my son was in grammar school, getting him to read was pure torture. He would rather do anything else. This went on for quite a few years until someone made that exact suggestion to me.  If you're anything like me you are probably thinking one of two things. 1.) There is no way this is going work, or 2.) He has tons of books about stuff he likes.  I'll admit that's what I thought.  But seeing him struggle, and knowing how hard it was for him, I decided to give it a try.  I racked my brain trying to come up with the one thing he loved the most.  At the time - he was around 9 or 10 - it happened to be 'Star Wars'.  I went out and bought him a couple very basic chapter books. (you can always use the library).  They were below the reading level he should have been at but I wanted something that would build his confidence.  It worked.  Once he realized he 'liked' reading it because of the content I got him a couple more that were just a tad harder.  Before I knew it he was just about caught up with the rest of his classmates.  I cannot remember who gave me that bit of advice, but I will be forever grateful.  

This doesn't necessarily have to pertain to struggling readers.  You can do this with any child.  My 8 year old daughter (pictured right) loves horses.  This is a complete understatement :).  She will read anything you give her if it's about horses.  The book she is reading in this picture is an adult book about every conceiveable horse around the world. The book itself weighs about 5 pounds and is about 18" X 26".  She can barely carry it.  Most of the content is above her comprehension, but that's not always a bad thing.  It's something that interests her, so she takes in all she can.  In years to come I'm sure she'll re-read it and get more out of it.

If you have a struggling reader I encourage you to try this.  With summer coming it is the perfect time.  They can read what they want instead of the required books from the school.  If you think you've tried with no results, try a different topic.   Re-evalute what is important to your child at the moment.  After all, kids interests change all the time.

One of my Favorites: Bark, George

One of the best parts of being a librarian is having the opportunity to tell parents, teachers, caregivers, and kids about some truly wonderful children's books that they may overlook. Children often get excited about books that are gimmicky - that feature their favorite television character or that have sparkles on the cover, etc. There is certainly a place for those books, and I would never discourage a child from reading them. (I would get concerned if that was all they were ever reading, but that's another post...) The books that become favorites, though, they aren't the gimmicky ones.

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer is one of my favorites - I've read it aloud dozens of times in a variety of situations and it never fails to crack up the listener, even adults, but it's great for getting kids giggling. It's really funny! It seems like you can always get a child interested in books and reading if you can get him to laugh. This simple picture book is great for preschoolers and early elementary students. Poor puppy George just can't seem to bark, for some very absurd reasons! (Moms, watch the pictures for the facial expressions of George's mother and tell me you don't relate!)

I have to also encourage anyone who reads Bark, George to really dramatize the story. The reader needs to act out George's mom's frustration and react in shock when the source (and extent) of George's problem is discovered. If you aren't used to reading aloud with some feeling, it can feel silly, but it's totally worth it when your child becomes engaged and delighted by the story.

The Desire to Learn How to Read

When my son was about 4 years old, he asked me to teach him to read.  At the time, I was a single mother, who worked full-time. Let me just say that I missed a great opportunity.  No matter how busy I was, I should have taken his request to heart.  I probably figured he'd be in school the following year and they would teach him.  By the time he was in first grade he was in special reading classes for those who had fallen behind.  They would pull him out of class, on a regular basis, and have the special ed teacher work with him.  For many years after that reading was a struggle for him.  I didn't like seeing him struggle, and even back then, regretted my procrastination. 

A few years later, when my daughter Sarah was about one, I would find her sitting quietly in a corner looking at books.  She had a love of books I have never seen in any child before.  At that point, I was reminded of Zachary's struggles and I was determined that I would never let that happen again.  So, when she was 4, and said she wanted to learn to read, I was determined not to miss the opportunity a second time.  Reading came natural to her and by the time she was 5 she was reading 3rd grade books. She is now 8 and can read anything she is given (although she is monitored). 

I know every child is different. But, when I look at my own experiences, I can't help but wonder if we shouldn't listen to our childrens requests more.  If they are asking to learn, teach them.  Do your best.  You don't have to have them reading books, but teach them the letter sounds, etc.  It is proven that learning is easier when you are young.  Children can learn multiple languages and music much easier.  Maybe, that can be said for reading too.

~Kristine