She would attend “Reading Zone” at school where she got one on one support with reading and it was helping. I have no idea what they did in the reading zone and am not sure how to help my daughter continue to improve her reading skills at home. What would you do?

Thanks,

Distance Learning Parent

Advice

Dear Distance Learning Parent,

This might sound radical, but having a 1st grader who is ‘behind’ in reading is not something to stress over. You can’t really ever be ‘behind’. Everyone learns to read at a different pace and a different age. Learning to read in the second grade is normal, and some students don’t become fluent readers until third grade. This is not to say you shouldn’t do anything, but don’t allow the stress to drive you. Learning to read is a beautiful experience and should be treated that way. It is like unlocking a great intellectual treasure chest in your mind.

There are a few important steps that will help your child learn to read. Some students complete five steps in an hour while others need to practice each step along the way. I will lay out three main pillars of learning to read as well as some resources I use as a teacher and a suggested daily schedule.

First let’s put learning to read into perspective. If you look back at all of human history, we have only been reading for 20,000 years at most. Our brains are still evolving today in order to store all the data needed to read. This is a new evolutionary skill for all humans. It is naturally hard. Having a little difficulty with something as intricate as reading is not something to be ashamed of, it just takes hard work and determination.

My first piece of advice is to tell your child the truth. “This is going to be hard, but it is a skill you need to learn. I know it might seem really difficult now, but if we work together and practice every day, you will learn to read!” Be honest and assure her that you will help her as much as you can. This is her 'Big Work’ right now: the main thing she is going to focus on. It is OK for it to be hard. She has no control over that. What she can control is that she tries her hardest every day.

Pillar 1

In order to make sure the learning process is not just drudgery, you will read to her for about 30 minutes a day. Everyday. You will do all the reading. She should be on your lap or next to you so she can see the words if she chooses and fully experience the story. This is precious bonding time. Choose a book that will interest her and spark her imagination. First graders love books like Stuart Little (E.B. White), Cricket in Times Square (George Selden),Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White), or Amelia Bedelia (Peggy Parish). Interrupting Chicken (David Ezra Stein) and Tackey the Penguin (Helen Lester) are also funny, longer picture books.

You can follow along with your finger and see if she notices. This is an important part of the reading process. If she doesn’t have a love for stories, there is less motivation to learn such a difficult task. Find something that really draws her in and she wants to hear more of.

Pillar 2

Now you will read with her for about 20 minutes a day where she is doing the reading. Have her read a page, then you read a page, then her, then you. This makes it a little easier. Make sure to isolate the words she is reading. Cover up the rest of the words with a notecard, or simply use your hand. If she is easily distracted by the pictures, cover the pictures while she reads. One of my favorite tricks is to hand a child a piece of Sculpey to knead while reading. Many children need something to do with their hands while they are reading. This can really help, but keep an open mind. If it becomes a distraction, take it away.

This will be the hardest activity. She will try to distract you and change the subject. Don’t engage, just remind her she is reading you a book. You can always tell her, “I am going to close my eyes and just listen.” Then do it. Let her sound out the words. She can read more than she thinks.

There are many resources online to help you find the appropriate books. Try the Step Into Reading book. http://www.stepintoreading.com/book-finder/step/1/sort/step.

There are many other guided 1st grade reading books. The Bob Books and the I Can Readbooks are classic. They don’t have much of a plot, and children tend to get bored easily when reading them, but they are also popular. Here is another good resource for level appropriate books. https://www.readingrockets.org/

Pillar 3

The last, and most important step, is to teach reading in a step by step, phonetic manner. I personally love the Explode the Code workbook series. The workbooks teach children to read using the Orton-Gillingham program. Orton-Gillingham is a scientifically proven program that teaches children to read through direct, systematic, phonics instruction. It works!! Because I do not know your child’s current level you will want to read the workbooks’ table of contents to determine her level. If you are unsure, just buy book 1 and 2 and see where she is. These books continue going up by half levels. They work.

Once you receive the books, you will need to find a time for her to work on about 2 pages a day. If she can do more, encourage her to do more! Your goal is 20 minutes of focused work. It might take a week or two for her to get there, be patient and understanding, but hold the line. She won’t learn to read without some hard work. I buy my Explode the Code books here.

https://www.christianbook.com/explode-the-code-book-1/9780838878019/pd/878021

Suggested Daily Schedule.

Every day, after breakfast, have her complete at least two Explode the Code pages. She should be able to do this mostly on her own. After a few weeks, start having her complete 3 or 4 pages a day. This should take about 20-30 minutes. Be consistent and firm. She might not want to do it at first.

After she is done in the workbook, have her work on something else for a while and then have a snack to recharge. Once she has cleaned up her snack, sit and read with her for 20 minutes. This is where she is reading to you. After about a month, extend this to 25-30 minutes. Don’t require her to read to you for more than 30 minutes a day, it is hard work, but if she wants to, go for it!

In the afternoon or evening read to her for 30+ minutes. You should be reading books you think she will like. You are showing her the joy of books, read her the gems! This is just as important as the other steps so do your best to read to her every day.

One final thing to consider is when she will be doing all of this work. Reading is tiring for a struggling reader. Practicing in the morning is always easier than in the afternoon. Make sure she is hydrated and has had enough to eat. This is going to be the hardest thing she does all day. Help her to succeed.

I hope this helps. It will take a $30-$40 investment and about 2 hours a day. Having the right materials and mindset are essential when teaching your child to read. I can’t say this enough, so I’ll say it one more time. Have fun with it. This might be the only time you ever teach a child to read. It is a truly magical experience.

Maria

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