My son reads well, but he has to be interested in what he's reading. He's now in 2nd grade and is having trouble reading out loud in class. It's almost a studder but really more of an "Oh my god I can't stand to sit here and do this another minute" sort of thing. Has anyone out there had the same experience? I'm considering getting him checked for Attention Deficate Disorder, or perhaps ADHD. Is this "extreme" or a normal reaction to what I perceive as not being "normal".
He's probably not dyslexic and probably doesn't have anything. It could be that he's nervous about reading in front of everyone or afraid he'll mess up in front of everyone.
Most kids have to be interested in what they are reading. Especially boys. Don't you have to be? So I would not worry about that at all.
The fear of reading out loud sounds like he is just shy. Fear of public speaking is as common as it gets. I bet most adults have it. Instead of worrying about the reading or a disorder maybe you should focus on building his confidence. When my son was just a tad older than yours I sent him to a really fun program outside of school that included drama. He was even in a play. Not a big deal...... kind of a walk on kind of guy in the background, but then the next year he did a bit more and that's when all fear of public speaking went out the door. Now he is on the new on t.v.!
Get him involved in something that sounds fun that he can get a little exposure to speaking in front of others. He just sounds scared to me. If he is just too petrified to do that, then baby steps. Talk to his teacher and see if she can just encourage him to answer questions in class........ and please ask her to call on him when she is pretty sure he knows the answer. Fear of looking stupid doesn't need to be realized!
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Most kids have to be interested in what they are reading. Especially boys. Don't you have to be? So I would not worry about that at all.
The fear of reading out loud sounds like he is just shy. Fear of public speaking is as common as it gets. I bet most adults have it. Instead of worrying about the reading or a disorder maybe you should focus on building his confidence. When my son was just a tad older than yours I sent him to a really fun program outside of school that included drama. He was even in a play. Not a big deal...... kind of a walk on kind of guy in the background, but then the next year he did a bit more and that's when all fear of public speaking went out the door. Now he is on the new on t.v.!
Get him involved in something that sounds fun that he can get a little exposure to speaking in front of others. He just sounds scared to me. If he is just too petrified to do that, then baby steps. Talk to his teacher and see if she can just encourage him to answer questions in class........ and please ask her to call on him when she is pretty sure he knows the answer. Fear of looking stupid doesn't need to be realized!
I'm guessing that he is self-conscious. Have him read out loud at home, after dinner, perhaps, take turns with him if it makes him more comfortable, with as many people around as possible. We did this with my nephew and it helped tremendously.
Does he read to you out loud at home? If not, have him do it and see for yourself what's going on. It could just be that he's self-conscious reading in front of the entire class.
I would have him read to me and if he seems to be reading fine, I wouldn't worry about it. If he is having trouble, then nothing will help other than practice. He should practice reading out loud for even just 15 minutes per night. You'll be amazed at how much progress he will make with just that small effort!
As a Parent Educator, I refer children all the time.
Yes, have him checked. I would rec going to a neuropsychologist and have him tested properly !
Also, see TLTC.com.
I have sent a few students to get tested for vision therapy. The student I sent last week had 20/20 sight. Her vision was causing several reading issues.
Good luck and keep me posted !
You have some good answers here.
Don't worry! This is a norm. I hated reading out aloud as a kid - didn't like people looking at me and worried about making a mistake. But as an adult I have given many lectures and classes and workshops to name a few. Don't be too quick to label him. Give him his own time and way.
I agree with Patty 100%! For him to have ADHD, you would need to be seeing a whole, whole lot of other symptoms. He just sounds self-conscious about having an audience. I would both ask the teacher to take the pressure off and also sign him up for activities that help him over this discomfort.
My kids have all gone through this stage. It is frustrating and painful to listen to. But one day it just all "clicks" and then you won't believe the difference. Unless you are seeing inattention in other areas of life, I wouldn't worry. Boys tend to not be as interested in reading unless it is something that appeals to them. Honestly, if it is something I am not interested in, I am not into reading either (like insurance policies :). I would just encourage you to go to the bookstore or library and find books he is interested in to encourage him to read. You might also take turns while reading...he reads one page, you read another. It will be good for him to hear the fluency with which you read. I promise, it does get better! And it probably will in the next few months.
vision problems or dyslexia are two possiblities that popped into my mind ( my husband is mildly dyslexic and has trouble with and really dislikes reading aloud)
Well at that age I hope he's not expected to be reading in front of the whole class, right?
At our school the kids only read aloud to a teacher or aide, or to other classmates in their reading group (usually 5 or 6 kids, all reading at the same level.) They are never expected to read in front of the whole class. There's still a wide range of ability and development at this age, and most teachers don't want to put that kind of pressure on kids who just aren't "there" yet.
Talk to the teacher first and go from there. ADD/ADHD are very complex disorders, there would be a whole lot more going on than just not liking to read out loud. There would be a whole list of issues: inability to sit still, concentrate, finish tasks, having a hard time keeping quiet and keeping his hands to himself, hard time with transitions, organization and complex directions, being easily distracted by noises, movement or sounds. I could go on and on, but you get the idea!
My son is 8, and is not very motivated to read on his own. Let alone out loud. He does like reading out loud if I am sitting right next to him. We started practicing by him reading out loud, and me in the same room, but not right with him. Then, I would move out of the room while he read. He know is able to read out loud by himself without any prompts or having me there. It's a work in progress, really. It is normal, but it takes practice. Just like anything else.
