Trying to Decide If My Kinder Needs a Tutor

About those BOB books. I see them all the time at Half Price books in Irving and Lewisville. I wouldn't pay full price for a set unless you know he will respond to them. Take him to the book store and show him, to see how he reacts, before you buy them. My DD hated them, but the little boy I babbysit loves them. So I guess it wasn't a total waste of money.
Same goes with flashcards. Some kids like them some don't. It helps if you can create little games to go with them instead of simply show, guess, and repeat. I found this site useful too- http://www.adrianbruce.com/reading/games.htm
My daughter loved the Bossy E game and it really got her to understand silent E.
Also, Every kid I have shown the Leapfrog Letter Factory to loves it.
I have also used Head Sprout to give my kids a head start on reading.
http://www.headsprout.com/
It's a simple subscription program with fun lessons they do over the internet. They are sent a progress chart, and books to read and print that go with the program. You have to sit and monitor them while they do lessons, but don't help them with the games or it dosn't work well.
RPocai

Oh..I remember my daughters first year in school! You might want to talk with his teacher and see if he/she suggest tutoring. Kindergarten is mainly about getting your child used to school and how things work. If there was any doubt that he was not up to level, his teacher would speak with you about maybe doing some things to make it better. My daughter is severly ADHD and it is hard for her to learn, but maybe start playing games and buying some picture books with no more than one - two words on each page and get him used to recognizing that the pictures have words and you need to learn to spell them and read them. Another thing that might help and when you read to your son, use your finger to point out each word you read to him. After repeating this daily (most educators recommend at least 10 minutes daily for reading, your son will pick up on it. That is what they do in class as well..does that help?

My daughter was a summer baby. In fact, both of my girls were. One did fine, the other repeated kindergarten. The teachers are very good at advising you whether he should repeat kindergarten. The structure gets more intense every year so I would save your concern for later years. They are supposed to enjoy kindergarten.

I think you should get him the Phonics Kindergarten package from Sam's Club. It is a very fun interactive program that the kids love doing and it teaches them to read. Nowadays, schools expect kids to know how to read before they go to school, so anything you could do to help your child would make him feel up to date with the other kids. That might affect his self esteem, so my recommendation is to help him. I would not do tutoring- too expensive. The Phonics program from Sam's Club is only 29.00$ and he would love it! It can't hurt him for sure- so why not?

Hi S.,
I have heard a lot this year about pushing the kindergarteners to be reading by Christmas, so you may be feeling pressure from the school. I would try to incorporate more language type things into your day, but definitely would not lose sleep on the issue. If he gets stressed he will shut down. One suggestion that I would recommend is maybe have him watch Letter Factory (DVD) or something of the sort that deals with letters. He needs to be working on the following letter recognition and sounds. Letter puzzles, flashcards (kids love these), whatever you can find, and of course, books books books. There is so much that goes into learning to read like, which way to start, how to turn the page, reading from left to right, etc. I don't think a tutor would do anything more than you would, but if you feel you are out of ideas or energy, maybe that is the way to go.

Hang in there....
K.

Hi S.!
Do not worry to much...they are not supposed to be reading by now, but a little help from "tutor mom" won't hurt him, you know, reading time at night, asking him questions about the reading and I personally got my son the "Bob Books" (www.bobbooks.com) and those where the first ones that we used to learn to read. Those books are fantastic since they have very short sentences with very short words and they are leveled, so he can advance at his own pace. (also they are black and white so he can color them).
My son was just like yours (also a summer kid) and he eventually catched up with the rest. The reading thing doesn't have to kick in until first grade. Just enjoy the stories you read to him and have fun with books.
Good luck!
A.

I would go to the library and let him pick out tons of books for you to read at night and on the weekends. Not only will he begin to love to read but he will soon advance his skills and possibly have the opportunity to be more advanced then some of the others.

Some kids in Kindergarten have had the opportunity to attend private school the year before and therefore they are more advanced. This does not mean your child is behind.

My child was one that did go to private school and was more advanced. She is now in the 8th grade and has a love for reading. Her librarian in Elementary School used to order books on certain subjects just for her to read. Things that she enjoyed reading about (weather was the main one). But, we read and read and read to her and then she would try.

But don't think your child is behind. My son was probably at your sons level at that point and he did fine. Just push reading all you can.

Have you asked his teacher? She might be the best judge of where exactly he is and where exactly he needs to be. Especially since she is with him daily. I would just be afraid of pushng him too hard and then him not liking reading as he gets older. I hope it gives you owrds for thought :)

hi! as a former kindergarten teacher, i would first say to talk your concerns over with his teacher. she may offer some suggestions or advice that would help you out. who knows, she may not think this is an issue at all since kids not only learn at different rates, but also come into kindergarten at different levels (something kindergarten teachers are very used to). however, i do understand you concerns and i know that some kids do get down about school when they feel others in the class can understand more. you would definitely not be an annoying mom. you are being a caring mother who is concerned about how your child is doing in school, which is a wonderful thing! kids need parents and teachers working together to make learning successful (oh wow, what a teacher-y statement, sorry!).
our school district offered tutoring after school to students who were behind according to the t.p.r.i. (texas primary reading inventory, a state wide standardized test). i can't remember if it has already be administered now or not. i also did some private tutoring after school as well, so this is becoming a more common thing. again, check with your child's teacher and see if tutoring is offered at your school. and send me an e-mail if you would like some suggestions of things you can do at home to help your son (don't worry, these are easy and quick and fun!). lastly, don't stress too much about this. your son will be fine and you will be amazed at what he learns this year!

I think the same about my middle child. I am working with him at home. I went to the teacher store and picked out some things that the teachers have in class to work with him on at home. He is improving little by little.

Thanks, V. J.
Mom of 3 boys!

My oldest daughter is also in Kindergarten. She sounds a lot like your son. At the beginning of school she could write her name and recognized most letters, but not all. When I found out that some kids could already read I asked the teacher if my daughter was behind and she said no, she is normal and the other kids were ahead of the class. The teacher said she was doing well, really enjoyed school and was eager to learn and that was all she expected from her. I think my daughters teacher is great and I feel so lucky. Have you asked the teacher if she feels he is keeping up with the class? I'm not sure if all Kindergartens are full day, ours is. I couldn't imagine asking my daughter to go to school for 7 hours and then go to a tutor after school. If I thought my daughter was struggling with school work, then I might consider a tutor, but I wouldn't get one just to teach her to read faster. Kids should have a positive feeling about school and pressuring them to learn faster might not be a good thing. It all depends on the child.