Poor reading in years 4 and 6

[scarecrow22]

I'm very worried at how poor my DCs' reading is - it is definitely holding them both back in other subjects, and even playing games with peers. I know the biggest problem is that I didn't make them read to me enough when they were younger. Ironically they both love books - but because I read to them!

Please don't worry about me being a tiger mum - it's just that reading is the cornerstone of much of their lives, and I need to take responsibility for doing something about it. Which brings me to my question: WHAT can I do now to help them? I'm also talking to the teachers, but for different reasons I need to find some strategies on my own too.

Please, helpful and kind comments only.

Bedtime - ‘you may keep your light on for an extra half an hour if you are reading’ works well at that age.

It’s never too late to learn to read or improve their reading! Some kids read really well with no help from home and some struggle despite all the help, so don’t beat yourself up!

Make it fun, so as well as books do word games, treasure hunts (clues are written down!), write shopping lists together for a party tea, read a recipe and bake, write them cute messages with their breakfasts etc

And consistency - do some every day. Break it down into small chunks so it isn’t overwhelming.

Talk to the teachers - why do they struggle? Could it be dyslexia? Are they not motivated? Is it the comprehension rather than the actual reading of the words?

Reading is a life long skill - I’m still learning new words at my age! So they will get there, in their own time 😊

I don't think reading to them is a mistake but perhaps 15 mins reading with each of them EVERY day, alternate you reading a page and the child reading a page. See if you can get them to reading to each other.
Not being a fluent reader is a real barrier to learning so you are right to get on to this.

If they like playing games, any games where they have to read cards eg Settlers of Catan.

There's also downright bribery - finish a book and get £

Well done for acting on this.

Reading to themselves, doing puzzles, reading menus etc is all good stuff, but the only way to ensure they are reading very accurately is to listen to them read out loud. It’s not too late to get into the habit, although they might complain at first that they can read, they’re too old etc!

I’d suggest several short (10 minutes?) sessions per week with each of them separately. Make sure you’re following the words with them to make sure they don’t read too fast, missing/adding words or guessing. If they make a mistake, calmly go back and ask them to reread that word or sentence.

Comprehension, inference etc are also important, but at this stage you are looking for complete accuracy with their reading/decoding. Recurring mistakes will help you to identify their weaker areas, which might be gaps in their phonics or just ‘lazy’ reading (skimming) as mentioned above.

Hopefully you can get into a nice habit, maybe following it up with reading out loud to them or taking it in turns.

Both my kids have needed toe by toe to achieve basic literacy. One just flew from that point. The other- who objectively has had more effort put in, but was probably more affected by lockdown- is only just starting to think about reading independently. Toe by Toe is an incredibly boring but structured programme. I think I read about it on here. I am now about to start the same kind of thing with youngest’s spelling- Apple and Pears programme. I read to them so much and did all the other literacy promoting activities and just nothing clicked for them. Sympathies and good luck.

Good reading is essential, as you say, for all the other subjects.

I would try to build up their confidence by getting them to read slightly easier books, with lots of praise for getting to the end.

I personally don't like stopping a child reading to make them sound a word out. I think it's counter productive and puts them off.

If it's a word they don't know, tell them what it is, while they're looking at it. Then at the end of the page, ask them to point to the word.

I have adult children who were early fluent readers and I am a retired teacher. I used this method with my own children, and those in my classes.

You do need to make this an every day activity though. (That's the reasoning behind starting with easier books, so that they don't get discouraged). Good luck.

Would you consider trying them with their own kindle?

My DS is 8 and is a good reader but not a natural one. We've subsequently pushed reading at any given opportunity. He reads out loud daily, we read to him, he reads at night. So he's grown into enjoying reading and is a big part of his evening routine.

I bought him a kids kindle recently and he loves it. It's comes with a years' free kids books, including lots of childrens classics. Obviously you can load books onto it too.

I would also encourage regular visits to the library too.

What levels are they at with their reading? How is their phonics knowledge? How far behind are they? Can't really advise without this information.

Have you tried games like Reading Eggs? My DC love it, there are lots of levels you work through at your own pace and get little rewards at the end of each level. My 7yr old started with the 5yr old levels but has now caught up to the expected reading age and enjoys seeing their progress.