7 Causes of reading difficulties in children (and their solutions)

We know you're eager for your little one to be a bookworm, but you may be doing some things that do the opposite of improving his reading skills.

Reasons your child is having reading difficulties and their solutions

The typical reading age for a child falls between the ages of four to seven years old. We know that the learning pace may vary from child to child, but have you ever stopped to wonder whether or not your child's reading development is delayed?

We list seven problems that may cause reading difficulties in children and how you can address them at home.

Problem #1: Using the whole word approach

People often learn to read using the whole word approach. This means that they rely on what words look like when reading them instead of sounding each letter out to effectively convert print into sound.

This leads to memorizing and guessing instead of actual reading and can result in errors in reading, as well as writing and spelling.

The solution: Phonics

If you notice that your child is guessing instead of reading words, you can practice with him using phonics exercises. On her blog, Teach with Joy, homeschooling mom Joy Mendoza recommends the phonics program Sing, Spell, Read, and Write.

Read: 8 Ways to teach your child phonics

Joy also supplements phonics learning with programs such as Starfall and Hooked on Phonics.

Problem #2: Having a limited vocabulary

It can be frustrating for a child when he is unable to understand words that he is reading. This can lead him to become discouraged and even dislike reading.

The solution: Vocabulary words

Homeschooling mom, Tina Rodriguez, suggests addressing this problem by making an effort to teach vocabulary words to your child. She does this by reading books aloud with her kids, identifying words that are difficult to understand, and looking up their meaning.

Problem #3: Dyslexia

Reading difficulties in children could be caused by dyslexia. However, this learning disorder may be difficult to spot before your child starts going to school. Some early signs include late talking, difficulty in learning new words, and difficulty in learning nursery rhymes.

Read: Signs that your child might have dyslexia and what you can do to help

Former preschool teacher, Donna Donor, shares common problems dyslexic children face: seeing letters and words jumping around on a page; and seeing letters jumbled up when trying to read a word.

The solution: Therapy sessions and at-home learning

If you suspect that your child has dyslexia, consult a developmental pediatrician. You can also supplement learning at home by assisting your child with his homework and doing additional reading exercises together.

Donna suggests that parents who tutor kids with dyslexia can use larger font sizes for reading activities to make reading easier.

Problem #4: Lack of interest in reading

Kinder 1 teacher, Wella Nuñez, shares that based on experience, a child’s reading ability is influenced by his interest in picking books up. When a child is uninterested, he may put less of an effort into learning and practicing reading.

The solution: Make reading fun

To help get her students more interested in reading, Teacher Wella provides them with materials that are focused on their interests, such as cars and animals. So, observe where you child's interests lie to make reading a more appealing activity!

Problem #5: Absence of early childhood education

This can be a factor contributing to reading difficulties in children, says former preschool teacher Angeline Chua-Rodriguez.

She shares that early childhood learning does not always have to take place in a formal setting. In fact, learning begins at home with parents as the first teachers.

The solution: Teach reading fundamentals at home

Teaching basic skills needed for reading such as letters and sounds can be done at home during play, according to Angeline.

For example, if you are playing with toy fruits, you can start to teach your child that apple begins with the letter "A" and the sound for it is "aahhh.” Showing your child what the letter looks like helps him learn further.

Problem #6: Overexposure to gadgets

Toddler-level teacher, Melissa Leviste, feels that overexposure to gadgets contributes to reading difficulties in children. This is because their attention spans become limited, and, oftentimes, they would choose to play on their gadgets instead of reading.

Read: 10 more ways that gadgets and social media can hurt your child

The solution: Use gadgets to your advantage

Regulate your child’s gadget time. Instead of allowing your child to use tablets or smartphones all the time, make gadget time an incentive for doing well in school or helping out at home.

You can also encourage your child to use these devices for reading. Install an e-book reader or apps and games that require reading.

Problem #7: Delayed intervention

In an article on the website, "Get Ready to Read,” Dr. Joseph Torgesen, Professor of Psychology and Education at Florida State University says that it is important to identify if a child has reading difficulties as soon as possible.

He states that if these difficulties are spotted early on then they can be addressed and corrected as early as kindergarten.

The solution: The earlier the better

Being aware of the early signs of reading difficulties is important in being able to provide early intervention.

In the article, Dr. Torgesen suggests that parents should observe late talkers, children who have a hard time expressing themselves using words, and those who have a family history of reading difficulties. If you find anything worrisome, you should seek advice from professionals as soon as possible.

He recommends that teachers use systematic and explicit teaching methods while monitoring their students’ progress. He also suggests creating a literary-rich environment where: many books are available, a lot of reading is done, and animated discussions about stories take place.

reading difficulties in children and their solutions

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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