Son Has Difficulties in K

I have taught kindergarten for three years so I know what your going through. My advice is to don't worry about it so much. I have found that many kids struggle with this. My bet is if you push him to much he will begin to hate school. Try to make the learning fun by making games out of it. Like using blocks with letters on them and scooting them together. Or writing letters on paper and jumping on them. Usually his little brain will just click on day and he'll be reading in no time!

Does your son's school have a "Host" program. I live in Dyersburg, TN and on my lunch hour once a week I go to the local Primary school. They test children entering kindergarden to see if they are on the "normal" level as other children. If they are not then they automatically enroll them in the "Host" program. They have a couple of mentors who come on the same day every week. I go on Wednesdays and read to my student. We do activities that are specially designed for the area she showed to have difficulty in. It really helps. The child is not only improves on their reading skills etc. but, they also form a bond with the mentor that gives them more self confidence thus helping them learn better. The "Host" program is a nationally accredited program used across America. Maybe you should do some research on your own and see about getting some other parents facing the same situation at that particular school rallied together to get the program placed. I will se if I can't get you some info that will help you about the program. I can obtain a copy of our states test if you'd like and you can test your son at home and locate the specific area to help him improve. Keep in mind also some children are slow starters that doesn't make them any less smart that the other children, they just learn differently. Any help I can be please let me know. A. O

Keep after your son's school to test him even if they bulk at it if nothing else you can contact your EFMP clinic to have them test him for you.

Hey J.!

I understand your position. (By the way...my husband is in Iraq right now...and my son is having a horrible time adjusting...I can only imagine when he comes home how its going to be.) Although it is common to not test until they are in the third grade, if you really feel something is wrong, you can insist on the testing. It sounds like he needs it. I don't know if he is in a DOD (department of defense) school or not, but our DOD school here will do the testing before the third grade if you press hard enough. Has he recently switched schools though? That was the twins problem as well. The curriculum was different...and they were behind in reading, ahead in math. And they struggled! Anyway...I would definitely insist on a meeting with the teacher and possibly the speech teacher and counseler. Explain to them that you don't want to do an IEP (individualized education program...i think it is) just yet, but you think some action is in order. Good luck! I understand what you are going through! Take care!

I made it all the way to high school reading at a lower level. I Thouth my self how to read and how to spell. Don't think there is totally something wrong. He may just have a learning problem that he may not figure out what his way of leawrning yet really is. Just give more time, and I hope and pray that things turn out ok!!!

I would ask that he be sent to the Reading Specialist at the school. Not sure what school system you are in but if you were in Metro Nashville he would be held back in Kindergarten because he has not learned enough of the "site words". I personally feel they are pushing kids to do things way to early now. Some kids just aren't ready. A Reading Specialist will start from scratch with him and get him where he needs to be. Good luck.