RAR #230: Helping Your Differently Wired Kids Fall in Love with Reading
Aug 17, 2023
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Discover practical strategies for helping struggling readers and signs of dyslexia. Learn about addressing unique difficulties faced by advanced readers. Explore homeschooling benefits for dyslexic children and engaging materials for differently wired kids. Find out how to engage with advanced readers and manage anxiety in homeschooling.
Frequent read-alouds, short daily phonics lessons, and giving it time are important strategies for helping struggling readers.
Dyslexia should be understood as a brain wiring difference, seek medical support for diagnosis and appropriate teaching strategies.
Find the right kind of books that align with reluctant readers' interests, incentivize reading, incorporate audiobooks, and make reading a positive experience.
Deep dives
Helping struggling readers
One practical tip for helping struggling readers is to prioritize frequent read-alouds, as research shows that grammatically correct sophisticated language patterns coming through the ear are more powerful in helping kids become readers. Additionally, incorporating short daily phonics lessons and giving it time are important strategies. It's crucial to remember that there is no benefit to learning how to read early, and late readers can catch up eventually.
Understanding dyslexia
Dyslexia should be understood as a brain wiring difference rather than a disorder. It is genetic and affects around 15 to 20% of the population, although only 5% have been formally diagnosed. Signs of dyslexia include trouble rhyming, memorizing information, and poor spelling. It is important to seek support from medical professionals who can provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate strategies for teaching kids with dyslexic brains.
Encouraging reluctant readers
Encouraging a desire to read in reluctant readers can be challenging but not impossible. It is important to find the right kind of books that align with their interests and preferences. Setting aside dedicated time for reading, incentivizing reading with rewards, and incorporating audiobooks when appropriate are effective strategies. Additionally, engaging in book discussions and making reading a positive and enjoyable experience can help foster a love for reading.
The Benefits of Graphic Novels for Struggling and Dyslexic Readers
Graphic novels are highly beneficial for struggling readers and dyslexic readers. Unlike traditional text-only reading, graphic novels engage multiple parts of the brain, requiring readers to interpret both the illustrations and the words to understand the story. This multimodal thinking provides a valuable cognitive workout for students while making the reading experience more enjoyable. However, it is important to guide children in selecting appropriate graphic novels and provide a recommended book list to ensure they are reading quality content.
Understanding Advanced and Gifted Readers
Advanced and gifted readers, often self-taught and reading at an early age, have a deep love for literature and enjoy exploring the complexities of language and storytelling. These readers demonstrate exceptional vocabulary and language skills, as well as accelerated processing abilities. As parents, the focus should be on asking open-ended questions and engaging in discussions about what they are reading. It is not necessary for parents to pre-read all material, but rather to foster a discerning reader who can make value-based decisions about their reading choices. Additionally, encouraging self-censorship and providing a non-judgmental atmosphere for discussion can help children develop critical thinking skills and personal values.
Are you struggling with how to tackle reading in your homeschool?
Maybe you have a child who’s a later reader or is having a tough time connecting with reading. Or maybe you have a kid who’s an advanced reader and they’re outpacing books that fit their emotional and social development.
Either way, it can be hard to know what to do to help your child build a strong relationship with reading that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.
Today, I’m sharing a session from the Great Homeschool Conventions that I led with my friend and colleague Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners.
In this conversation, we’ll talk about the challenges that come up with readers at both ends of the bell curve and how to help your differently wired kids fall in love with reading.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Three practical strategies for helping struggling readers: read-alouds, phonics, and time
Signs your child might be dyslexic and recommended resources for working with a dyslexic brain
How to help your advanced reader develop discernment in their book choices
