If you are a parent of an elementary school student, you may wonder if your child is reading at the expected level. Reading is a crucial skill for academic success, but some children it is a challenging skill to learn for various reasons. Here are some signs of a struggling reader to watch for:
Difficulty sounding out words. Your child may have trouble pronouncing words that they should know or confuse the sounds of certain letters. This may indicate a problem with phonological awareness, which is the ability to isolate and manipulate sounds in words. In an alphabetic language such as English, a strong awareness of the separate sounds enables students to sound out and spell words. For example, children who aren’t tuned into the separate sounds in words may read or spell “trunk” as “tuck” and have difficulty learning the word even after being taught.
Difficulty recognizing common words. Your child may not recognize simple words or may confuse similar-looking words, such as “what” for “want.” This may indicate a problem with word recognition, which is the ability to identify words automatically and accurately. Word recognition is developed through the repeated practice of accurately sounding out words and paying attention to each letter in a word.
Lack of fluency when reading. Your child may read slowly, take frequent pauses, or lack expression when reading aloud. This may indicate a problem with reading fluency, which is the ability to read smoothly and with appropriate speed and intonation. When students struggle with fluency, they are usually working so hard to figure out the words that they lose the meaning of what they are reading.
Problems understanding what they read. You may notice that your child confuses concepts or has trouble recalling or summarizing what they have just read. A common cause of difficulty with reading comprehension in the elementary grades is weakness in the foundational skills of phonemic awareness, decoding, word recognition, and fluency. Often students who have low comprehension while reading to themselves have much higher comprehension when listening to others read.
Frustration, distress, or avoidance when reading or writing. Your child might say that they “hate reading” and drag their feet when they need to do reading assignments. They may act out, because of frustration, or as a way to distract others from noticing their reading challenges. You may observe that as they get older, they become less engaged with school or less confident as learners.
If you notice any of these signs in your child, stay calm. Help is available. There are many possible causes of reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, or lack of adequate instruction. All these causes can be addressed. By being aware of the signs of a struggling reader and seeking help when needed, you can support your child to achieve their full potential as a reader and learner.
Learn more at www.ReadingRays.com.
