What would you consider a late reader?

[Anonymous]

5.5 year old kindergarten DS is frustrated that he can't read yet. We have been reading to him since he was a baby, have the BOB, Leapfrog and early reader books, go to the library once a week and borrow 10-20 new books, bought Tag Jr and Leapreader, got ABC Mouse, etc. Not sure what more we can do. I don't think it is lack of effort from us.

Would DS be considered a late reader?

DS starting sobbing today saying he is the only one in his class who can't read. I know there are other non-readers but still feel bad for DS.

[Anonymous]

Try preschool prep or rock to learn videos. You can usually find them cheaply on the deal sites.

[Anonymous]

Reading "clicks" for kids anywhere between PK & 2nd grade; it's a relatively new Anerican thing to expect kids to read in K.

Anecdata at its purest, but my DD started K convinced she'd never be able to read; by the end of the year she was in the top reading group. Now she's in 1st and her reading seems pretty static while she's leaping ahead in math. Kids develop pretty erratically in early elementary.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and these days, people start getting worried when a native English speaker who has been in school since the beginning of kindergarten is not reading at all by the end of kindergarten. It doesn't worry me but as a teacher, my opinion counts, well, not at all. It really depends on what school you are in. At my Title One school, a lot of native English speakers are not reading by the end of K. At my son's school, very few students can't read at all by the end of K. Parental support, readiness for school, prior preschool experience, oral language, etc vary greatly between and among schools.

[Anonymous]

It seems early, but it might be worth a conversation with the teacher to see if phonemic awareness and decoding skills are developing. Approximately 20% of kids have reading disabilities that are best addressed as soon as possible.

My dd was formally diagnosed with dyslexia in 1st grade, but there were flags by 2nd quarter of kindergarten I wish we had noticed.

[Anonymous]

My son is in K, he's not quite 5.5 and was a very early reader (a little after 3.5). He's the ONLY child in his class who can read.

So no, I don't think your kid is a late reader.

[Anonymous]

1970s. My brother was in third grade and couldn't read. Teachers brought it up at a parent teacher conference with concern. So in the 70s, 3rd grade was late. (BTW, my brother learned soon after, went on to an IVY lawschol, and now is a partner at a famous firm, FWIW).

Waldorf doesn't even believe in teaching reading till age 7 because why should you teach something till the majority fo kids are ready.

I learned in 1st grade as did everyone else in the 70s.

All of this is to say that K isn't late exceptthat our school system has VERY RECENTLY decided accelerated is better. he isn't ready. read to him and promise him he will get it one day soon. stop with the educational gimmics and tech stuff.

[Anonymous]

I don't think a K kid who can't read is a late reader. When I was in school, very few kids were reading in K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in K, he's not quite 5.5 and was a very early reader (a little after 3.5). He's the ONLY child in his class who can read.

So no, I don't think your kid is a late reader.

You could have relayed the same information without boosting yourself and making OP know you were doing so. Try: Only one kid in my child's kindergarten class can read. I'm sure your child isn't a late reader!

[Anonymous]

OP,

Back off on the "learn to read" track and make reading enjoyable and fun. Put away the Tag Jr and Leapreader, got ABC Mouse, etc.

Read picture books together purely for pleasure. One of my favorite authors is Jan Brett. Here's a list of other great books: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal

If your kid is still struggling next year, get tested for possible reading issues, however your kid is probably more hampered by anxiety at this point than his ability to read. Unfortunately, I think all your well-intentioned efforts to help have backfired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Back off on the "learn to read" track and make reading enjoyable and fun. Put away the Tag Jr and Leapreader, got ABC Mouse, etc.

Read picture books together purely for pleasure. One of my favorite authors is Jan Brett. Here's a list of other great books: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal

If your kid is still struggling next year, get tested for possible reading issues, however your kid is probably more hampered by anxiety at this point than his ability to read. Unfortunately, I think all your well-intentioned efforts to help have backfired.

I also agree with this advice. We did not have this problem because my DS is the oldest in his class, and at 5.5 he was still in pre-K and not reading really at all. Then, like magic, the switch flipped and before his 6th birthday he was reading fluently and in the span of a few months had passed three grade levels.
The best thing IMO is to back off totally for about 3 months, then revisit. During that time, keep the reading fun and focus more on language, meaning, and ideas. If he's not ready in 3 months, back off again. He will very likely begin reading on his own at some point. If not, address it with his teacher later in the school year.
I really wish all of the focus on early reading would go away. Those ABC mouse commercials make me want to throw objects.

[Anonymous]

I would think nothing of it. I'd keep reading to him and it'll click eventually. I didn't send my kids to Waldorf but I believe in their system and they don't even start teaching reading until 2nd grade, age 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Back off on the "learn to read" track and make reading enjoyable and fun. Put away the Tag Jr and Leapreader, got ABC Mouse, etc.

Read picture books together purely for pleasure. One of my favorite authors is Jan Brett. Here's a list of other great books: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal

If your kid is still struggling next year, get tested for possible reading issues, however your kid is probably more hampered by anxiety at this point than his ability to read. Unfortunately, I think all your well-intentioned efforts to help have backfired.

I also agree with this advice. We did not have this problem because my DS is the oldest in his class, and at 5.5 he was still in pre-K and not reading really at all. Then, like magic, the switch flipped and before his 6th birthday he was reading fluently and in the span of a few months had passed three grade levels.
The best thing IMO is to back off totally for about 3 months, then revisit. During that time, keep the reading fun and focus more on language, meaning, and ideas. If he's not ready in 3 months, back off again. He will very likely begin reading on his own at some point. If not, address it with his teacher later in the school year.
I really wish all of the focus on early reading would go away. Those ABC mouse commercials make me want to throw objects.

OP here. I got Tag Jr when DS was 3 and Leapreader as a Christmas gift last year when he 4 and still in preschool. We have not touched these items for at least 6 months. I tried the back off method all summer and let DS pick out fun books at the library. I have placed no pressure on DS in attempts to take the stress off. DS is the one who feels bad that he isn't reading yet.

DS is good with arts and crafts, patterns and building projects. Our good friend with a son the exact same age tried to make me feel better by saying how good DS is at certain things. Her son started at age 3 and can do pretty advanced math at 5.5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher and these days, people start getting worried when a native English speaker who has been in school since the beginning of kindergarten is not reading at all by the end of kindergarten. It doesn't worry me but as a teacher, my opinion counts, well, not at all. It really depends on what school you are in. At my Title One school, a lot of native English speakers are not reading by the end of K. At my son's school, very few students can't read at all by the end of K. Parental support, readiness for school, prior preschool experience, oral language, etc vary greatly between and among schools.

OP here. DS just started K so I'm not familiar with the students but most of our friends with children the same age are reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher and these days, people start getting worried when a native English speaker who has been in school since the beginning of kindergarten is not reading at all by the end of kindergarten. It doesn't worry me but as a teacher, my opinion counts, well, not at all. It really depends on what school you are in. At my Title One school, a lot of native English speakers are not reading by the end of K. At my son's school, very few students can't read at all by the end of K. Parental support, readiness for school, prior preschool experience, oral language, etc vary greatly between and among schools.

OP here. DS attended toddler preschool prep, part time preschool at 2.5, full time preschool at 3 and 4.