Does your child hate reading?

Do you know child who feels like this about reading?

No one like doing the things they find hard and the behaviour we observe is key. In this blog I will be exploring all of the things that impact on learning to read and developing those skills over time. To start with here’ a story about one young boy I taught many years ago. I learnt from him the importance of observation and asking questions.

Years ago I was helping a young boy with reading. He didn’t like reading and was always reluctant but he tried hard to please. I noticed that he could read the first half page with reasonable accuracy and understanding but about half way down the page he really struggled, making lots of mistakes, substituting words and losing the meaning. One day something prompted me to ask him what happened at that point. His answer changed things for me as a practitioner and him as a reader…..

“That’s when the words start jiggling so it’s hard to see them.” 

He didn’t know that this wasn’t the same for everyone else.

Many things can impact on the many skills we need to read and visual functioning is just one aspect.  

Just like fixing a machine or treating an ailment, we need to understand what the problem is in order to provide an effective solution.

Putting in the right intervention, giving the right support and learning the right strategies can make a difference to a difficulty with reading - for life. 

It’s just one aspect of the detective work I do.