REading
Concerns

When Your Child Is Having Difficulty

What Should You Do When You Have Reading Concerns?

If you’re concerned about your child’s reading at any age, it’s important to get help sooner rather than later.

For many children, learning to read is not going to be a “natural” activity. The critical window for learning to read is from kindergarten to second grade. The sooner you can get help and resources for your child, the more success they will begin to experience.

If your child is experiencing any developmental delays before starting kindergarten, getting help with those as soon as possible will help them be ready for kindergarten.

Things to Remember

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye and Ear Exam

Up to 25 percent of all children struggle with reading and learning problems because of undiagnosed vision conditions. Hearing loss can cause problems with communication, learning, and development. can develop at any time during childhood, so watch for signs of hearing loss. If your family does not have vision or health insurance, you can access services through a community clinic.

Samaritan House Community Clinic

Keep Reading with Your Child

Continue to build your child’s reading skills with patience. If a child is grappling with the mechanics of reading, they still need the pleasure and experience of being immersed in a good book. Storytelling is central to human existence!

Their Strengths Define Them

Continue to focus on and highlight your child’s strengths so they know they are more than their reading difficulties. Your child needs to know that you believe in them.

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Guidance for Parents

You are the expert on your child. If you are concerned, ask for help!

Let your child know that there's nothing wrong with them, and that everyone needs some extra help sometimes.
Write down what you've noticed your child struggling with. Try to be as specific as you can. This will help you advocate for resources when speaking to your child’s teacher or doctor.
Notice your child's strengths. Praise them for this, and make sure to let the teacher know what your child's strengths are.
Notice what helps your child or makes things easier for them. Make sure to tell the teacher or school staff that, too.
Ask how your child is doing not just compared to others in the class, but compared to the grade level standard. Are they on track to read? If not, what is the plan?

REading Concerns