Reading Problems? "Why is reading so hard for my child?". This is a cry of anguish I frequently hear from anxious parents. They have good reasons to be concerned. The ability to read is the foundation of all learning that takes place in the classroom. If your child is a poor reader, chances are he or she is also struggling at writing, articulating clearly, and understanding textbooks. Generally, your child will be falling behind in school. If you are an anxious parent yourself, you are in good company. Did you know that learning to read is a challenge for (a conservative estimate of) forty percent of primary school kids? The good news is that with early help, most reading problems can be solved. The bad news is most parents do not notice that their child needs help until the child has fallen way behind in school. As for the question: Why is reading so hard for my child? Research has shown that the brain of children with reading difficulties handles "word recognition" differently from other children. Some children have a disability that makes reading hard. Others come to school without the literacy experiences and environment they need to become quick readers. Some children struggle simply because they've been taught so poorly and inadequately at pre-school. If reading came to children as naturally as speech, reading specialists like myself would be out of a job! The truth is reading must be taught. For some children who have "fallen behind", it must be taught explicitly, systematically and with a good deal of patience, one small step at a time. That's why good teachers are important. However, teachers with specialist skills and extensive experience, plus a strong commitment to their charges may not be so easy to come by. Researchers, scientists, child psychologists and educators have been working together to understand how children learn so they can develop programs and methodologies to help children learn more effectively. Still, when it comes to reading and writing skills - it all boils down to each individual teacher and the amount of time and effort he or she spends on each child. It is, quite simply, the TEACHER who makes the difference. Join us on FACEBOOK!