Many children have trouble reading. This can be due to various causes. In the Netherlands, children generally start reading and writing in group 3. Some children have already learned a lot at home because they need it and other children are not interested in it.
There can be many reasons why your child has difficulty reading.
- Your child does not have sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
- Your child is dyslexic
- Your child does not see well
- Your child has (had) hearing problems
- Your child does not have sufficient general knowledge so that he / she does not understand what it says
It is important that you as a parent consider what could be wrong with your child. Or your child may not show interest in learning to read and therefore find it difficult. In the first cases it is advisable to see the doctor so that you can see what is going on. In the latter case, it is important that you know how to motivate your child. Give lots of compliments and be patient with your child.
Does your child have trouble reading?
In school, children often learn to cut words into syllables. They read the word letter by letter. They may find it difficult to separate letters and confuse them. It is important that you also practice a lot with the child at home. The child may become insecure at school because he / she notices that the classmates pick up everything faster and children are very mean to each other so it may happen that your child is bullied or out of the group.
Read while singing
Read with your child. The intention is that you do not chop the words into letters but lengthen the word.
Example: don’t walk, but llllooooppppeeeeennnnn and let the letters mimic you. You can make your own cards with words on it and turn it into a game so that your child will enjoy it. First make cards with short words and if your child can read all these words well you can make longer words. If you notice that there is improvement, you can read books with your child that use easy words. Just remember to follow the pace of your child. Otherwise, your child may become demotivated.
It does not mean that all children will read better with this technique, but it is a different technique than they might get at school. If something doesn’t work in one way, there is a chance that the child will pick it up in another way.
Do you child mix up letters?
Try to think of a mnemonic for the letters the child mixes up. If the child mixes up the b and d, there is a nice trick for it. Sit cross-legged with your child facing each other. You say “Budda” and you hold your hands up (at the height of your shoulders). You hold your thumb and index fingers together. You should now have your left hand as the letter B for Bu and your right hand as the d for Da. When you say Bu, focus on your left hand and Da on your right. This mnemonic will help your child to avoid confusing the letters B and D.
Pleasure in reading
It is also important that your child starts to enjoy reading. So it is a good idea to play word games while also listening to your child’s wishes. Maybe you can come up with a fun word game together and then play together. If your child feels that he / she can determine it, he / she will probably become more motivated than if she ‘has to’ do something.
