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thread: Dd doesn't like learning at school

  1. #1
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    Dd doesn't like learning at school

    Hi all
    Dd1 started primary school this year and she is very behind in class.

    She cannot read even simple sentences and tends to memorise rather than read.

    Ive asked her if she is having issues at school and she keeps saying she is still little and learning is too hard.

    She is a smart cookie and talks way beyond her age but somehow cannot pick up reading.

    For example she will get no and on mixed up. Write her p b ds incorrectly.

    At home i try to spend time with her but she doesnt want to concentrate at all.

    For example she is reading here comes little chimp, after that i will point to a few words and
    She will have issues reading them but her comprehension skills are great ie she knows what the book is about.

    I asked her if she is having difficulties reading and her reply was Im little like little chimp i cant read.

    I dont know what i should do

    Btw her teacher is lovely and she loves her teacher so its not that

  2. #2
    Administrator
    Add Rouge on Facebook

    Jun 2003
    Ubiquity
    9,922

    Some kids learn differently. And memorising is a completely fine way to learn to read. With DD who I will say was exactly the same I used to get stressed with. Frustrated because she would guess the words and use the pictures. But that's normal! And I can promise you it won't affect her overall reading long term. DD is now well above her age for reading and LOVES reading. She was the same with maths. She needed to memorise her basic additions and subtraction in order to use them then have that epiphany of how it works. What makes them stressed is feeling they don't get it. That they somehow should and don't. Patience is the best gift you can give her. With regards to distraction my DS is like this and only now is starting to find concentration in the classroom easier. Having something in his hand helped him because he is a fidgeted. And even when reading he would practically be climbing all over the place or hopping or something else.

    How old is your DD?

  3. #3
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    Thanks so much rouge
    Yes i have been stressing out.

    My dd is like ur dd she would use the pictures to memorise the sentences.

    Dd turned 5 at the end of march

  4. #4
    Administrator
    Add Rouge on Facebook

    Jun 2003
    Ubiquity
    9,922

    Then it's absolutely fine keep it light and fun and she'll get there!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    Relax and keep reading. All children learn at different times.

    Age 6, I read Famous Five. Liebling is reading The Very Hungry Catapillar. Some of Liebling's friends can't read more than a few words.

    Sounds like she likes learning and school, but reading is hard. Her teacher can help, but you just need to encourage her.

  6. #6
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    I wish i had the patience to keep it fun. I think dd senses my frustration

    I will remember to not push next time!!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    I don't understand why Liebs isn't reading decent-lenght stories. He could do it. But it would put him off if I made him. So the Roald Dahl is waiting, and waiting. I smile while he reads and don't shout "leaf the word is leaf you know the letters how can you not fishing read?". With difficulty, admittedly. And with wine and a happy place. But he likes reading, at least. And is a keen library member.

  8. #8
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    Sounds like my DS He's also very advanced in some ways but not in reading. He hates those readers, so I just sign the form anyway so he can get his sticker
    He likes to try reading random things on packaging and other stuff like that, and practices his writing by writing random, weird stories where everything is spelt wrong (or right, if you ask him, because everyone else is wrong). I just let him go for it.
    I'm all for wine and happy places, also.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Central Coast NSW
    2,160

    She is still really young - she is probably one of the youngest in her class. I've taught kindergarten and all the things she is doing are perfectly normal for halfway through her first year. Make it fun and stress free, tell her that trying her best is all you expect and praise every achievement no matter how small.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    She sounds pretty similar to lots of the kids in DD1's class last year.

    FWIW DD1 was very similar. It was because she wanted to be far more advanced and better than she was at it and so gave up. Bit by bit, but sure enough turns out she's pretty good at it.

  11. #11

    Mar 2004
    Sparta
    12,662

    For reading I think that the flow of a story is really important. Often by the time they have figured out a word the last word is a minute behind them so I'll often just tell them the word to maintain the flow. I also read the entire page in one hit before I turn the page so that they can hear the whole page flowing.

    Different children have different ways of learning and learn at different speeds. It's no biggy if she is a late reader. Keep reading books to her because that way she can still experience age appropriate stories and the joy of reading. Sometimes we would read the same reader a few nights in a row. Learning a book can help boost confidence and IMO one of the big breakthroughs in reading is the confidence to give it a go.

  12. #12
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    Thanks ladies

    In a way i blame myself. For 4 years i read to dd every night but since dd2 was born ive neglected reading to her. Dh works and dd sleeps early.

    I am not pressuring her into reading but just wished she would concentrate more. I shall not expect too mich and let her read at her pace

    Thanks so much you guys always know how to settle my doubts

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    summer street
    2,708

    I think reading pictures is reading. It's a whole package. Understanding the story, the pictures, the sequence of events is all vital to reading. The actuals words and letters will come with time. I am shocked 5 year olds are expected to be reading. My younger siblings weren't properly reading until 7 or 8 and it made little impact on their schooling in the long term. She has already learnt so much.

    I think you need to make story time fun and relaxing and the go concentration will come.

    It's ok to be learning at your own pace.

  14. #14
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    Do you have the magic 100 words?? I'd start with them.
    As for books, talk about the story first, as her what he thinks the book might be about by looking at the front cover, then look at all the pictures, discussing what's going on, then read the book to her, always using the pictures to tell the story
    Xxx

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth, WA
    2,315

    Came in here ready to offer advice, but you've had so many great suggestions, I don't think you need them!

    Just reiterating the 'no pressure' thing. The last thing you want is her resenting you! (save that for her teachers, lol!). Reading the picture cues is an important step in learning to read, as is memorising. So, 'rereading' the same book over and over is great. Read for pleasure with her, get her to repeat after you, pointing to the words as she goes. Model reading in front of her. If she's struggling with lots of words, get easier books so its not so frustrating for either if you. And the pre-reading stuff Olive suggested is great too.

    Another thought - has she had her eyesight checked?

  16. #16
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    Olive is that the sight words?
    Ive got them, even cut them out to play games with her. She's not interested

    School also gives her a new list every week she has to learn. Also not interested

    Jleigh she had her eyes checked before starting school she is fine but havent had her hearing tested.

  17. #17
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    Yes they are sight words, you start with the most common and stay on them until you know them all, I think red words is first.
    Have you tried reading eggs for her???

    Golden words are first
    http://spellingwps.wikispaces.com/fi...lling+list.doc

  18. #18
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    Thanks olive!! I didnt realised there was a specific order coz the ones
    I got were alphabetical

    Yes we are subscribed to reading eggs too. Shes ok doing those

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