1St Grader with Reading Trouble

First, have you had her eyes checked to make sure that she can actually see the words she's trying to read? Just a thought since you said her reading seems to be getting worse...

Assuming her eyesight is fine, the best thing you can do is read, read, read. Take her to the library, and let her choose books that interest her. Have her teacher recommend books that are at her reading level. The key is to pick books that are at or just above her level in order to build her reading vocabulary. When you read to her, follow the words with your finger. If she tires of reading easily, alternate pages with her -- you'll read one page, then she reads one page. Or let her play the role of one of the characters in the book so that every time that character speaks, she reads (and acts out) the words.

You can check out www.starfall.com for reading games that she can play on the computer.

At home, try this game... Write words on sticky notes that describe items in your home -- table, chair, door, etc. Then, have her read the words and stick the notes to the appropriate items.

Write her little notes from time to time. In the morning, put a note at her place that says, "Good morning!" or "What do you want for breakfast?"

When you make a grocery list, let her help you write some of the words (apples, bread, milk, eggs), and she can have her own list to follow at the store.

Point out words that you see when you're out and about. Read the signs for restaurants and stores that you pass, and try to sound them out together (at least the first sound). "See, McDonald's starts with M... mmm, mmm, McDonald's. Target starts and ends with T... tuh, tuh, Target."

Basically, try to read everything that you can -- on cereal boxes, in magazines, even on TV. And set a good example by letting her see you read. The more you show her that reading is important, the more she'll be interested, too.

Good luck!

I would ask her teacher : 1. What assessment was used to gauge her reading level? (Not all are completely accurate) 2. How is she doing in class? (Is she paying attention, distracted, goofing off, or trying her hardest?) 3. What resources are available? (tutoring, Title 1?) 4. Specifically what can you be doing at home?
Sometimes when a parent has a genuine concern, the teacher is more apt to help the child and keep an eye out for problems.

I had this issue at the beginning of the year for my 1st grader. It seemed like there were no reading requirements in K and then all of a sudden in 1st, she was supposed to be reading a lot. If you can afford it, get a tutor. I know it sounds ridiculous but I work full time and when it came down to it, I wasn't sure how to teach reading. It's tricky! English is a tough language w/ so many exceptions etc. The tutor has a practiced, formal way of going about it. ie: blends. Ever hear "when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking." Like the word heat. How does a kid know to not pronounce the a? Or make the e long vesus short? And my daughter will always work harder for other people... If you can't afford a tutor, there are some leap frog videos our friends used and she swears by them. Last night my daughter read a pretty hard book so well and I was so happy. And she said she likes reading! That was a big part of the battle before - she didn't like it. She'd get impatient so fast etc. So I do think slowing down is important too. Don't give your daughter things that are too hard. Let her build confidence. And have you tried the Bob Books? They're quite good too. Short with repetitive themes in each book to give the learning process some framework.

Learning Leap Frog has some excellent resources. How is she w/ phonics? This may be where you want to start. If they understand phonics, they enjoy sounding out words, etc. Otherwise, it's very frustrating.

Create opportunity to work on it OUTSIDE of reading with her. Driving in the car, grocery store....pineapple starts wtih ....? Railroad starts with....?
Train......starts with.........and ends with.......

Have her help you, too. If you're looking at something on the calendar, have HER find Wednesday, Friday or whatever. Make sure she understand it's important for her to be able to read in order to help you, too. Recipes, labels......have her find the grams of Protein, grams of Fiber, etc. Basic things you do on a daily basis that require reading skills..........

Take her to the library and find some books she enjoys and read together. As she gets older there are cute girls series books that you can borrow from the library. The more you read together the more she will also learn to sit still longer. Set up a reading area for her that she can design or decorate like maybe her favorite stuff animal and/or a comfortable chair. I know I always wanted to give my kids a bean bag chair but I could never find one that wasn't too expensive. You want to create a warm and inviting area that is not too busy for reading.

First, like the other ladies said--is she OK with her eyes, and does her teacher think she has a glitch in her brain that is making reading difficult? Is so, get her help. If all of that is OK, then what you can do---make reading fun. First of all, don't make a big job of it. Read to her, read to her, read to her. Get books on tape. I know this is not what everyone else is recommending---reading definitely is the kind of thing you need to practice. But whatever you are doing, you need to a)get the feel and sound and the stories in her head b)make reading something that you do, you do together, etc. Do you read a lot? Are you always with a book. Do you enjoy reading? Does your family go to the library, or Barnes and Noble, or if you don't like to do that, listen to books while you're on the road? Do you get the Sunday paper and read the colored comics? Whatever is fun. No set formula. Your child will, at some point, maybe early, maybe late, pick up on the fact that this is how you spend your relaxing time, and will imitate you. Some kids are early with this skill---some later. But if you are getting the feel of the language in her, then at some point, it will click. Select books that excite her, and read a chapter or two, or more one day if she can't wait to hear more, everyday. Make it a treat---time you two cuddle up together. I know it is counterintuitive---you reading to her, instead of hammering out phonics like in school. But i promise you, you will create a reader. Someone who devours books.