Learning Kat Remedial Teaching: July 2014

Almost always, when I am approached by concerned parents or colleagues about a struggling child, I discover that the child is a reluctant reader. This may be for a variety of reasons. Dyslexia can make a child physically ill from the vertigo caused by the movement of the text. Similarly a short term memory or language processing delay can cause headaches. It is not wonder, then, why children (and adults) with these problems are reluctant to read. I would avoid anything that made me feel ill too.
The problem comes in with the fact that children need to be able to read to succeed in an academic sphere, and a great deal of status is placed on academic achievement. So how does one get Little Johnny to actually read that book and not just stare at the pages during his allotted reading time in class?
Firstly, there is no magic spell to make a child read. And no simple answer. But there are a few tricks of the trade that I have tried and have had success with:
1. Discover the child's passion
Ask the child what s/he really likes. And don't turn your nose up at it. You might not see why 22 men chasing a ball around and kicking it with their feet is so important, but it is to Little Johnny. As for why Li'L Wayne's ride is dope..... just as important to Little Judy.....
Now the fun begins. Encourage the child to find out as much as they can about this topic. Get them to bring you a different, interesting fact each day/week. Make it into a game. Offer rewards for the student with the best facts, most facts, funniest facts and so on. Ensure you find a way of rewarding all ability levels for what they achieve.
2. Let them read ANYTHING
So often I have met teachers who turn their noses up at gossip magazines and comics, as if to say "that isn't REALLY reading". Well why isn't it? It has words.
Reading is not something that should be made elitist. But it often is. If your child loves comics, or magazines or browsing Wikipedia, then that is OK. Staring at a book and not seeing the words is NOT.
I have worked with many children who tell you they hate reading, but will spout off scores from the whole premier league, along with statistics about each player. When asked where this comes from, they sheepishly pull out a tattered and well thumbed football magazine. They are always shocked when I then praise their reading skills -- after all a football magazine isn't really reading, is it?
3. Make it fun
This is a tricky one, especially for older children. But it is an important one to use with younger children in order to keep them hooked on reading. Use rewards, treasure hunts, colouring pages, projects,, re-enactments, games, arts and crafts and discussions to keep the fun element. And join in with the activities too. Many children's authors now have whole websites with activities linked to their books. Some have entire schemes of work which include a wide range of subjects, and are not just geared for English lessons. In fact, I have found a few that are an ideal setup for homeschooling as they cover several subject areas in one activity, and do so in such a way as to encourage the child to really want to find out more.
4. Start them young
This one really only does work with babies and very young children. And yes, I did say babies. Soft cloth books are the best for very young babies as they are easy to hold and manipulate. Board books are better for older babies and toddlers. The big problem here is cost. But there are ways to reduce the cost. Allow your child to page through old magazines. Stitch together bright unused dish cloths or clean rags, make simple books from magazines and paper and glue. They may not be as long lasting, but the concept is there.
Once you have books for the babies, make time to sit with them and page through the book (if you are allowed to) or get them to "read" to members of the family -- even the dog might enjoy a story now and again!

These are just some ideas. I know there are plenty more and that some things will work some days and not others and some might not work with your child at all. Hopefully some of these ideas will help your reluctant reader find a way to tackle the reading that has to be done, and maybe even enjoy some that doesn't.

So often I hear parents tell me how their children's teachers say how lazy or naughty the children are. Yet, when I look more closely at the child, things are not as they seem.
Yes, there are times when kids are naughty or lazy, but more often than not, there is more to it than that.
A bright child will become disruptive and distractible when bored. And frustrated with work that is not stimulating. Eventually this becomes poor behaviour and a cycle of problems that could have been avoided by extending the child.
A child with learning difficulties may feel lost and frustrated by the work and the way it is taught. This frustration may be exacerbated by difficulties in expressing him or herself. Eventually tjis frustration and resulting low self esteem manifests as poor behaviour.
Often all it takes is a teacher finding out where the problem is, and seeking ways to acknowledge and manage the situation in a way that empowers the child appropriately.