Are you worried that your child may not be reading and writing at his / her age level? Your child's school can assist with your concern.
Psychologist and educator Dame Marie Clay from New Zealand developed the "Reading Recovery" program. She researched this topic for over 30 years and finally developed the program that is being used in many countries as well as Canada.
All provinces in Canada have a "Reading Recovery Program" that is geared towards helping children be successful in reading and writing at an age appropriate level. Children are tested on the first day of entering grade one. If children are behind in reading and writing, specially trained teachers will have the child join the 'Reading Recovery." Only 20% of children in grade one are eligible for this program. The Reading Recovery program is an average of 15 to 20 weeks. The Reading Recovery teacher will use the each child's strengths to help him / her be successful. Children will read familiar books, identify letters and break down words into parts.
The Reading Recovery works by having a teacher spend time one-on-one for a half hour session every day. Children are then encouraged to take reading books home on a daily basis and read to an adult. Parents can help their child by listening to him / her read to them for 15 minutes everyday. There is a brochure available at this site that comes in many different languages that may assist you at home.
Sandra McDowell mother of 6 year old son named Cristian thinks the Reading Recovery program is great. "It really helped my son read better. I tried to have him read every night at home but he didn't want to read and would get easily frustrated when he couldn't pronounce the words correctly." "He had a teacher at his school (Eatonville Junior School in south Etobicoke) that would work with him everyday. He started the program when he entered grade one in September 2009. He is now reading at the same level as the rest of his class. The teacher kept his father and I in the loop at all times. Cristian will now look forward to reading at home." "I would recommend the Reading Recovery to every child that is having challenges reading and writing.".
If you have any concerns regarding your child's reading and writing skills speak to your child's teacher before she / he enters grade one.
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