How Early Should I Be Worried About My Child's Reading Skills?

One of the most commonly asked questions we hear at Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers is, "How early should I be worried about my child's reading skills?" Closely related is, "When should work on reading skills start?" Research clearly indicates that what preschoolers know before they enter school is strongly related to how easily they learn to read in first grade.

Three Predictors of Reading Achievement in preschoolers:

1) the ability to recognize and name letters of the alphabet

2) general knowledge about print (which is the front of the book and which is the back; which way to turn the pages of the book)

3) awareness of phonemes (the sounds in words)

If your preschooler is lacking in any of these areas, reading experts advise stepping in early. Research indicates nearly a 90% chance that a poor reader in the first grade will remain a poor reader without intervention.

The good news is, however, that slow starters can succeed if they are provided the right kind of help. Early intervention programs that combine daily instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, and reading fluency strategies can improve reading skills to average or above levels.

So don't wait for your child to experience failure. If your young child is displaying warning signs that learning to read is going to be difficult, seek intervention early! If you'd like information on early reader screenings and/or full assessments to determine whether your child is at risk of reading difficulties, see our website.

Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers

(502) 473-7000

weteachreading.com

Establishing Good Study Habits

As children grow older, it becomes very important to have good study habits. There are a few things that middle and high school students can do to establish solid study habits.

For middle school students:

·       Visualize what you read! Turns out that what you understand is related to how well you can picture it in your mind’s eye.  Stop trying to memorize what you’re reading. Instead picture it so that you can understand it and think about how it relates to what you already know.  This is what real studying is all about.

·       Toss out your highlighter. When the cap comes off, the brain turns off.  Read with a pencil instead. Active ‘pencil reading’ is key.

·       Organize your papers each night. Take a short bit of time each night and organize your papers for that day, then prepare your backpack for the next day. Running around in the morning trying to find what you need is a stressful way to start the day. Even worse is showing up at school without the homework you completed. That will cost you.

For high school students:

·       It’s time for the adults to step back. It is best to stumble in high school and iron out the kinks before college, where it might be harder to get back on your feet.

·       Put away your phone. Attention shifting will hurt your productivity. MIT did a study and it turns out multi-tasking does not work. When it comes time to study, turn off your social media and put away your phone. Work for a solid block of time, and then take a break.

·       Read it on paper, not a screen. Studies show comprehension is better when reading from paper. Plus, the blue light that screens give off can wreck your sleep cycle, which makes it harder to get to sleep.

For both middle and high school students:

·       Get enough sleep! It’s hard to learn when sleep-deprived. Your brain integrates what you have learned during sleep. The average teen gets around 7 hours, but needs between 9 and 10 hours of sleep according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Langsford Director Stephen McCrocklin recently talked to WDRB news about establishing good study habits. To watch the news segment, click here.

  

Staff Spotlight: Kara

For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week.

This week, we are featuring Kara! We asked her a few questions, and here are her answers. (We also thought it would be fun to use one of her school pictures in honor of Back to School season--isn't it a great photo?)

What is your favorite book?: I can name some favorite authors: Margaret Atwood (Cat's Eye), James Joyce (Ulysses), E.B. White (Charlotte's Web), William Faulkner (The Sound and the Fury), Vladimir Nabokov (Speak, Memory), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter series.) I also like YA fiction. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?: A writer

People say I . . . : am of medium height for my age.

What do you do in your free time? I neglect domestic chores.

10 Professionals Who Can Help Your Struggling Child

There are many trained professionals who can help your child be successful despite any difficulties he or she may be encountering. The list below contains 10 professionals you might want to consider when exploring options to help your child.

1) Classroom teacher--works with your child on a daily basis and can provide insightful information related to how your child learns, how attentive he or she is in the classroom, etc.

2) Learning Disabilities Specialist--many schools have a teacher on staff with specific training and credentials to provide educational services above and beyond regular classroom instruction. This instruction my be one on one or in small groups.

3) Educational/Learning Consultant--Independent center or individual who administers educational evaluations and makes recommendations and/or implements intervention work in specific areas of need.

4) School Psychologist--gives and interprets psychological and educational tests; assists with behavior management; provides counseling or consultation with parents, school staff, and students.

5) Pediatrician--provides medical examinations and services, trained in overall child development.

6) Neurologist--a medical specialist that looks for possible damage or weakness to specific brain functions.

7) Psychologist--provides psychological and intellectual assessment and treatment for mental and emotional health. Also administers ADHD evaluations.

8) Psychiatrist--diagnoses and treats behavioral and emotional problems, most notably those requiring prescription medications.

9) Occupational Therapist--helps improve motor and sensory functions to improve ability to perform daily fine and gross motor tasks.

10) Speech and Language Therapist--can assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to speech, language, and cognitive communication impairments such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders.

While there are other professionals available in the community who might also be helpful, these 10 are a good starting point to think about.

Staff Spotlight: Christopher

For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week.

This week, we are featuring Christopher! We asked him a few questions, and here are his answers.

What is your favorite book?: "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran

What did you want to be when you were growing up?: Medical missionary

People say I . . . : am friendly

What do you do in your free time? Tai-chi, meditate, garden, cello, listen to audio books, YMCA, mentor mindfulness, watch historical dramas, hear plays, ballet.

We also thought it would be fun to show off some old school photos. Isn't Christopher's school photo awesome?

Christopher Back in His School Days

Christopher Now

Staff Spotlight: Cheri

For the next several weeks, we will be featuring one staff member a week.

This week, we are featuring Cheri! We asked her a few questions, and here are her answers.

What is your favorite book?: So many to love!!! My favorite at this present time is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?: A teacher, and I also wanted to get married and have a big family. 

People say I . . . : Some friends recently told me that I'm joyful . . . even in the hard times. My friends bring joy out in me. 

What do you do in your free time? My husband and I recently purchased a house, and I have been having lots of fun fixing it up. 

It's that time of year again! The days are getting shorter, the kids are getting up earlier, and the smell of school bus exhaust is in the air.  It's time to go back to school! We had lots of kids come to Langsford over the summer to work on their skills. Some wanted to catch up, some wanted a jump-start on the upcoming year, and some were returning clients wanting a review and the chance to brush up on their skills. The drive and motivation we witnessed was an inspiration to us all! Here's to a great 2016/2017 school year!