Showing results for:"reading"
Top 10 things to know about reading
- Learning to read is a complex process. - What kids learn before they enter school is important. - Early intervention can help struggling readers. Here are 10 things you need to know about reading what it takes to learn to read and how to help struggling readers. 1. Too many American children d
The Opportunity GapBuilding strong reading skills in kids
Watching a child struggle with reading can be tough, especially when youre unsure how to support them. Does your child avoid reading, get easily frustrated, or stumble over familiar words? These may be signs theyre having trouble with reading. In this episode, we talk to literacy expert Shaquala H
In ItHave a struggling reader? Try these tips
Learn how to help kids with dyslexia improve their reading skills. What makes learning to read difficult? And how does having dyslexia make it even more challenging? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome literacy expert Louise Baigelman. A former teacher, Louise
Questions to ask about the school’s reading instruction
If your child struggles with reading, it can help to learn as much as you can about the approach the school uses. Here are some important questions to ask your school. How do you structure your reading curriculum? - Are you using a research-based approach? Could you describe it? - Do you use a p
In ItThe legit fear behind “Please don’t call on me to read”
Most of us can remember having to read out loud in class in school at some point. Maybe we felt shy or uncomfortable. But for the many students with reading issues like dyslexia, this experience can be downright scary. (No wonder they may conveniently opt for the bathroom pass during their turn.) M
Now I understand what my child with dyslexia is going through
Ive been focused on my 9-year-old daughters dyslexia for years now. Since we found out she had a reading issue in kindergarten, Ive spent a lot of time educating myself. I even wrote a personal essay for the New York Times about how I felt when I first learned about my daughters dyslexia. Now, as th
Reading skills at different ages
Even as babies, kids build reading skills that set the foundation for learning to read. Heres a list of reading milestones by age. Keep in mind that kids develop reading skills at their own pace, so they may not be on this exact timetable. Babies (ages 012 months) - Begin to reach for soft-covered
Summer reading bingo board
Have a reading party with family or friends. 2024 Understood for All, Inc. Summer reading bingo board For more information, go to understood.org Free Space Read to a pet or stuffed animal. Read a book that a friend recommended. Read outside. Read an award- winning book. Read wi
In ItSummer reading reimagined: How to help all kids enjoy reading
Summer is a great time for kids to fall in love with reading. How can we make summer reading fun for all kids even those who dont think of themselves as readers? Summer is a great time for kids to fall in love with reading. How can we make summer reading fun for all kids even those who dont think
Understanding why kids struggle with reading
The process of learning to read isnt easy. When kids struggle with reading, it doesnt mean theyre not smart. It also doesnt mean theyre lazy. In fact, kids who have trouble reading are often trying as hard as they can. Some kids just need more time and practice than others to learn reading skills. O
What it took for a dyslexic kid like me to love books
For me and others with dyslexia, reading is like having a bad cell phone connection to whats on a printed page. Information drops out. I cant access the content. But when I listen to a book on tape or on a talking computer, its like having a landline. I connect just fine and most everything is clear
Why reading in your home language helps kids become better readers
If you speak more than one language, you may wonder if you should read to your child in your home language (like Spanish) or in English. You may worry that reading in your home language will confuse them as they try to learn English. Or you might not be comfortable with your own English skills. Its
9 terms to know if your child has trouble with reading
As you look into why your child has trouble with reading, you may come across a number of words and concepts youre not familiar with. Here are key reading terms to help you understand your childs reading challenges. 1. Decoding Decoding is a key reading skill. Decoding involves matching letters with
The long, winding road to identifying my son’s learning issues
When my oldest son Lorenzo was in Pre-K, we did all the things we were supposed to do to help him get ready to read. We read him an entire librarys worth of childrens books, poems, and magazines. We read aloud street signs and even TV captions. We sang dozens upon dozens of nursery rhymes and played
Workplace supports: Trouble with reading and writing
- There are lots of free or low-cost ways to help with reading and writing at work. - You can set up some of these supports on your own and talk to your manager about others. - You can also explore specialized tools that were created to help people with learning differences. Challenges with re
An inspirational encounter for every child with dyslexia
Chris, now in seventh grade, and his mom Stephanie recently shared with me their story of difficulty and triumph. It was an inspirational encounter that was a perfect way to start the New Year. Throughout the early grades, Chris did not learn to read. This caused a lot of heartache. Then, an evaluat
Download: Multisensory reading and writing tools
Multisensory instruction can help kids improve reading and writing skills. It works by engaging more than one sense at a time. Lots of teachers use techniques like these. But you can try them at home, too. Read it, build it, write it mat with word building tiles Help kids learn to read, spell, and w
The Opportunity GapWisdom for families from LeDerick Horne, poet with dyslexia
Growing up, LeDerick Horne couldnt read. Today, hes a poet, activist, and person thriving with dyslexia. Hear his advice for families of color. LeDerick Horne is a Black man, poet, activist, and person with dyslexia. Hes spoken at the White House. And he wrote a definitive book on hidden disabilit
Learning and thinking differences that cause trouble with reading
- A number of learning and thinking differences can make reading hard. - They can cause trouble with different types of reading skills. - Different challenges require different strategies to help kids get better at reading. Kids can have trouble with reading for lots of reasons. Not all kids de
In ItSummer reads that embrace difference and disability
In this bonus episode, Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra share summer reading recommendations and tips to encourage kids to read. In this bonus episode, Rachel Bozek, Gretchen Vierstra, and a few of their Understood colleagues share summer reading recommendations. Learn about books that embrace
Trouble with reading in kids: Your questions answered
Understanding your childs trouble with reading can help you find the best ways to help. Here, our experts answer common questions families have about reading difficulties.
Summer reading log for older kids
2017 Understood for All, Inc. Fill in a line each time you read or someone reads to you. Listening to an audiobook also counts. Dat Date e (mm/dd) Book titBook title and autle and authorhor Min Minut ute e s s o of r f re eading ading Name: School start date:Summer reading log Reward for 5 day
How can you tell if kids understand what they read?
Q. My 9-year-old daughter struggles with reading, but shes no longer reading aloud with me. How can I tell if she understands what she reads? A. This is such an important question. The ultimate goal of reading is to make meaning of whats written. That requires lots of practice. Without being involv
Summer reading for kids who learn and think differently
During the summer, kids usually dont get as much reading practice as they get in school. But with fun books (or alternatives to books), kids might be more motivated to read over the summer. Here are some ideas. Find more great summer reads. Visit Start with a Book, a book-based summer learning init
The school holiday party that helped me see beyond my son’s reading progress
After my son was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in first grade, my early conversations with his teachers and IEP team were all about the big stuff. Evaluation results. Individualized reading instruction. Accommodations. We talked about all the ways to help him catch up, and keep up, with his peers
4 reasons to keep reading to your grade-schooler
- Its important to keep reading to kids in grade school, even if theyre doing fine with reading. - Reading to kids helps them build language skills on many levels. - It also helps them feel more positive and confident about reading. Reading out loud to kids is valuable even after theyve learned
When my son with dyslexia wouldn’t read with me, we found another way to connect
When my son was 9, we did our own version of the read-before-bedtime ritual. It was a nightmare. While other parents cuddled with their children and took turns reading aloud from Harry Potter or Treasure Island, we battled over books that were babyish and boring. My son has dyslexia, and in fourth g
Beyond books: 6 fun things for kids to read
Kids don’t just have to read traditional books to build reading skills. Comics and graphic novels are great options.
Summer reading log for younger kids
2017 Understood for All, Inc. Name: Reward for coloring in 5 stars: Summer reading log Color in a star each time you read or when someone reads to you. L
How reading changes the brain
Our brains dont start out wired for reading. Were not born with the ability to read. To learn to read, we have to use parts of the brain that evolved to do other things. People with dyslexia have trouble with this. Certain reading instruction can lead to big changes, though. And technology allows u