If you have dyslexia in your family general tutoring will just frustrate your child.

Do the neurophych evaluation.

Do orton gillingham as soon as possible.

Your child is being taught the wrong way that is why he can't read/write. It's like forcing a left handed writer to write right handed. Eventually he will get so frustrated it will bring him to tears and then he will start to refuse school.

Being a great reader is overrated, he will have other strengths. Don't get hung up on being the "best" reader.

If he is dyslexic do not resist books on tape/kindle/etc... look into learning ally.

Your child will start to not learn basic vocabulary/grammar/spelling/pronunciation if you continue to force him to try to read the traditional way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am considering tutoring for my 1st grader who loves math, but is struggling with reading and writing. Does anyone have experience with these programs and can compare them? I am looking for reading only, but perhaps he would enjoy the math component as a 'reward' for working hard on reading? I initially was going to find a one-on-one tutor, but a friend suggested E.nopi.

Also, does anyone know how E.nopi/Kumon math compare with the Everyday Math curriculum? I don't want to confuse DS with a different methodology. Thanks in advance.

Some children struggle with reading if the school does not teach phonics. Kumon teaches phonics and makes it very easy and pleasant to learn for children who do not have any other issues.
The math program fits with any curriculum.
I had older adopted children who spoke no english and they liked doing both english and math Kumon. It gave them time to practice- which they needed. Both excelled at english and math after 4 years in the usa. They did Kumon for less than 2 years.
I am so grateful to kumon- its affordable and really gets results.

+++1
I could not agree more. My child is a 3rd grader and a struggling reader and I do believe its because her school only teaches how to teach by sight words, not phonetically. Kumon has been a blessing. Most schools are not teaching kids to read phonetically, so it explains why some kids struggle. We also do Kumon for math and its a program that we have been very happy with.

Anonymous wrote:Am considering tutoring for my 1st grader who loves math, but is struggling with reading and writing. Does anyone have experience with these programs and can compare them? I am looking for reading only, but perhaps he would enjoy the math component as a 'reward' for working hard on reading? I initially was going to find a one-on-one tutor, but a friend suggested E.nopi.

Also, does anyone know how E.nopi/Kumon math compare with the Everyday Math curriculum? I don't want to confuse DS with a different methodology. Thanks in advance.

Some children struggle with reading if the school does not teach phonics. Kumon teaches phonics and makes it very easy and pleasant to learn for children who do not have any other issues.
The math program fits with any curriculum.
I had older adopted children who spoke no english and they liked doing both english and math Kumon. It gave them time to practice- which they needed. Both excelled at english and math after 4 years in the usa. They did Kumon for less than 2 years.
I am so grateful to kumon- its affordable and really gets results.

Kumon will just make things worse if he has any sort of learning disability. He will just feel inadequate. Kumon is for kids who tend to over achieve.

OP, if you are still reading, head over to the Kids with Special Needs section. Lots of info there on testing for dyslexia, what to read, etc.

+1 to testing or keeping an eye on it. If there is a learning issue, Kumon won't help. Does your school have a specialist that can evaluate? Have you asked the teacher what they see?

DD was in K last year, toward the end of the year we suspected some difficulty with letters and orientation. Reading was a struggle and sounds similar to what you are saying, low confidence, difficult concentrating on it (when she can concentrate on other things just fine!) "this is too hard" and not wanting to read out loud. Teacher said to consider testing within the year, but to keep an eye on it.

She started 1st grade a couple weeks ago and we are noticing HUGE differences. She WANTS to read everything now. She still struggles, but she keeps up trying without any pressure from us. She constantly wants to read out loud. I don't know what's changed, other than she had a few months break and is in a new class, new teacher, new kids. It might just be seeing all her peers reading.

We are getting her tested as well. Her father is dyslexic and it's become clear she has some type of scanning or dyslexia issue. Check in with the teacher, or the learning specialist at the school.

PP here again - don't do Kumon. If he is dyslexic he needs specialised tutoring, and the longer that gets put off the longer he will suffer. And feeling stupid IS suffering. Dyslexic kids are often very smart, and the inability to make headway in reading really hurts.

OP, get your child tested for dyslexia. Just do it. It is not too early, and 1st grade is the time to start the specialized tutoring. My son is in a private school, in K teacher said "hmm...something not clicking, but give it time." In first teacher said he was struggling with reading, but we could give it time. We tested immediately (pay privately, its not an in school assessment) and he is dyslexic. Started O G tutoring immediately. He is now in third and reading on grade level - mind you that is still below his peers, but at least he can function.

I am dyslexic as well, though never officially diagnosed. It runs strongly in families, OP, and many of us just struggled in school without a diagnosis. Early intervention changes the story completely.

Anonymous wrote:OP Again. We have a history of dyslexia in family, but no diagnosis for DS, and don't think he is, but not sure...is very early. However, DS is behind in writing, so-so in reading, but has very low confidence ("I don't like reading," "I can't do that," "I am not good at this," "This is too hard") when I try to work with him with encouragement. I want to boost his confidence levels more than necessarily getting him ahead. For some reason he won't work with me or DH, but seems to do OK at school. Last year, teacher said there was "something" there, but she couldn't pinpoint whether was dyslexia or problem with concentration/focus.

I feel you. Been there. Mine is at 8th grade now, and situation hasn't changed much - "I don't like reading," "I am not good at this," "This is too hard". Have been doing C-2, McLean Tutoring Center, and now decided to switch to E.nopi (Eye Level Center). Just because it's cheaper.

[quote=Anonymous]OP Again. We have a history of dyslexia in family, but no diagnosis for DS, and don't think he is, but not sure...is very early. However, DS is behind in writing, so-so in reading, but has very low confidence ("I don't like reading," "I can't do that," "I am not good at this," "This is too hard") when I try to work with him with encouragement. I want to boost his confidence levels more than necessarily getting him ahead. For some reason he won't work with me or DH, but seems to do OK at school. Last year, teacher said there was "something" there, but she couldn't pinpoint whether was dyslexia or problem with concentration/focus.[/quote]

I think, it is great that you are on top of it. They teach the orton gillingham method for kids that struggle at our school. You might want to look into it.
It absolutely takes a toll on the kids confidence, and it seems to run in families. Stay on it, I wish you good luck!

OP Again. We have a history of dyslexia in family, but no diagnosis for DS, and don't think he is, but not sure...is very early. However, DS is behind in writing, so-so in reading, but has very low confidence ("I don't like reading," "I can't do that," "I am not good at this," "This is too hard") when I try to work with him with encouragement. I want to boost his confidence levels more than necessarily getting him ahead. For some reason he won't work with me or DH, but seems to do OK at school. Last year, teacher said there was "something" there, but she couldn't pinpoint whether was dyslexia or problem with concentration/focus.

Enopi is called Eye Level I believe. My son has been going on-and-off for a couple of years. He flourished with the attention and his reading and confidence really took off. It's expensive though, so we don't keep at it all year. He's always happy to go though.

At our school they give the children a lot of time, pretty much up until 3rd grade to find their own way. Maybe that's just your child's way. That is actually sth I love about private in the elementary years. Of course if you suspect him to be dyslexic that's a whole different thing. Early intervention is important.

Explain struggling? My DC I feel is struggling as well but the teachers feel DC is fine. I'm often reminded that it's 1st grade and only the 3rd week.

Am considering tutoring for my 1st grader who loves math, but is struggling with reading and writing. Does anyone have experience with these programs and can compare them? I am looking for reading only, but perhaps he would enjoy the math component as a 'reward' for working hard on reading? I initially was going to find a one-on-one tutor, but a friend suggested E.nopi.

Also, does anyone know how E.nopi/Kumon math compare with the Everyday Math curriculum? I don't want to confuse DS with a different methodology. Thanks in advance.