08/07/2023
The 5 Steps To Help Your Child Learn to Read and Write
Most dyslexic students fail when it comes to doing well in Reading and Writing not because they aren't capable but because they are simply given the wrong strategy to succeed!
Which is very frustrating because a sports team that prepares for their next competitive fixture with the wrong strategy isn't going to succeed.
So how do you know your child has the wrong strategy to help them learn to Read and Write?
Simple... Do any of these sound familiar?
1- Does your child feel like a failure/have a negative self-image because, no matter how hard he/she tries in the typical language arts classroom, despite often being successful in other subjects, learning how to read just seems to elude him/her?
2- Because your child can’t figure out how to read, does he/she start to exhibit feelings of anxiety, anger, low self-esteem and even depression? Does he/she begin to dread school? Do he/she feel let down and abandoned?
3- Does your child find it difficult to focus during traditional classroom instruction, due to high energy needs and a need for more active/hands-on learning methods? Does your child need more attention and lots of reminders to stay on task, which is difficult to get in a traditional, large class of students?
That's why I changed my approach and strategy as a teacher! I became a Certified Academic Language Therapist and since I’ve started working with my students using the Orton-Gillingham Method, the results have been incredible!
Here's what your child needs to focus on:
Step 1) - IDENTIFY specific academic learning gaps in basic reading and writing skills through formal and informal assessments. (We will establish if the student has been tested formally for dyslexia.)
Step 2) - BUILD a solid foundation in phonemic awareness skills, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through the structured, sequential, cumulative multisensory activities.
Step 3) - PRACTICE application of new skills during each lesson, including coding and reading words/phrases/sentences/paragraphs in decodable passages.
Step 4) - ASSESS growth using a benchmark pre-test and post-test to measure specific progress in Alphabet, Handwriting, Spelling and Reading at each level.
Step 5) - REVIEW AND REPEAT graphemes or concepts as needed. Continue working through the program scope and sequence until the student is able to read on or above grade level.
These 5 things are fundamental in helping your child become a successful reader and writer.
Just like a boxer preparing for a world championship fight....
When they prepare with the right strategy their chances of success increase dramatically.
If you found this useful please feel free to send me a message to learn more about how I can support your child in his/her reading and writing journey!