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Do you remember learning to drive, how our had to get used to using three pedals with two feet while holding on to the steering wheel and watching the road all at the same time? It was difficult to coordinate and may have taken a while to get right. Your child is in a similar situation when he learns to read. Learning to read is new, it is not easy and it can take a long time.
It's new
Your child is just settling into primary school after learning a familiar environment of nursery school, pre-school, playgroup or home. Now he will be expected to sit still and concentrate for longer periods than before.
You begin to realise that your baby is a baby no longer. He looks so serious going to school with that big school bag! You can encourage your child by following their school work closely and, in particular, by showing and interest in the reading folder.
It's not easy
Your child may be eager to learn to read and write but she will soon discover that it is hard work. It is important not to let her get discouraged.
You may find you are not as relaxed about your child’s progress as you would like to be. If things do not go according to plan, you might see it as failure. Perhaps you feel helpless and you don’t know what to say when she bursts into tears because, “It’s too hard, I can’t do it!” or, “The teacher is too strict.” It is not always easy to help a child who, sometimes, does not understand what she is reading.
It takes a long time
Your child may need to repeat things again and again. In the early days, the meaning of a story can be completely lost as she struggles with the words themselves.
Your, as a parent, may feel impatient and worried. Is it normal that your child is still slowly fumbling her way, while a best friend is whizzing through whole books?
The road to reading is often rocky. Your child might get out of breath, slow down or even come to a complete halt. Don’t worry. She will get there in time.
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