Why Can't My Child Read ?

Why Can't My Child Read ?

Well, a simple enough question - at a glance.
The response, however, could be complex enough to make that child's head spin again in The Exorcist.

Reading is a far more challenging task than most of us realize.  If you were fortunate enough to have all the components (or at least most of them) glide into place as you matured, reading was likely not a huge burden on your conscious mind.

Reading entails getting to know the sounds (phonemes) and there are many - some with subtle differences that some people simply don't discern.

Then, there are the beginnings of meaning (morphemes) such as "itis," "tion," and "ing."
This leads into word meaning (semantics) where we learn the difference (hopefully) between bird and bride.
But wait!
We aren't really ready to read yet!
We need some understanding of syntax - words put into sentences.  Here grammar becomes important.  To be able to fully and rapidly comprehend we need some concept of word order and the meanings that conveys.
For example, knowing the difference between the following:
              Mark should take the pencil to the teacher. 
              Mark was told to find the black pencil behind the bookshelf and take it to the teacher. 
Beyond this, we benefit from being able to read/think in "chunks" and to process continuously as we read - recalling previous events as we read currently and predicting what may happen!
And these are only a few aspects involved in the ability or inability to read well.
Often when someone is sure that reading is such a simple act that everyone ought to be able to do it rapidly, I ask them to explain - precisely - how to tie his/her shoes - and don't leave anything out.
There are a lot of steps; however, most people do master this task as well.

The point is that the surface of a task can conceal the depth and complexity required to attain that 'simplicity.'
Reading challenges can begin with the initial "sounds" or they can start when morphemes or syntax is involved.  Often, there is a combination of causes or reasons.
The goal, of course, is to help students help themselves.  I have found even very young students are willing to work harder and have fun with each step as long as they believe (and know you believe) that they will make progress.

In fact, once they realize that what they are learning to do is an amazing feat filled with twists and turns - they rise to the challenge!  (It's a lot better than thinking "I can't do even this 'simple' thing.")

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Friday Homework Club

We're trying something new with the Friday Homework Club.
     
Website:  www.tutoringcentral.com

This allows you the opportunity to try out some tutoring sessions without a longer term commitment.

Sessions can be 1/2 hour or 1 hour in length, and you can arrange one session or multiple sessions as you require them. 

Something else that's new are a couple of little videos !  (Don't worry, I don't sing at all - maybe in the future I'll croak out a song or two, who knows!!)
At the moment they are just welcome videos for the website. 

To arrange an appointment call:     519 824 0982
                                                     or
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