I know this feeling only too well. My child struggles with reading.
At first, it seemed like he was just "a late bloomer". I got lots of advice. "Let him go at his own pace." "Read to him more." (We already read daily.) It seemed like everyone had something to say about my child and his reading. In the meantime, he was feeling bad about himself. He felt stupid. His confidence was at an all-time low. I felt like a failure. My smart, creative child was losing his smile, his drive, and his love of learning.
I would like to say that after eight years of working with him, that he no longer struggles. But that would not be true. What is true, is that we have found what works for him so that he can succeed. He may read a little slower than his peers, but he reads. He may use assistive technologies to help with his dyslexia, but he uses them well and to good effect. He is confident. He is a learner on his own terms.
The road to success with a struggling reader has many pathways. Your journey make not look exactly like mine, but it is important to step out for your child and advocate for him. Some children may not come to reading naturally and easily, but most children can be taught through evidence-based multisensory methods to experience more success with reading.
In the Education Studio at Richland Library, we have the support and materials to help you find your way through the maze of reading struggles. We have multisensory materials you can use in our beautiful studio space. We have guide books you can check out to help you identify where to start helping your child, what community resources are available, and to help you understand what methods may work to help your child where they are now. The Education Studio also hosts classes and workshops for parents to help you learn how to use our materials for best results. If you need more individual help, our Reading Specialists will book an appointment for you, listen to your story and offer ideas on how to move forward.
We understand that the road to reading can look different for everybody. We want to help your child find their way.
Call 929-3434 to speak to a Reading Specialist, book a coaching appointment or sign up for a Parent Workshop.