A GOOD BLOG trevorcairney.blogspot.com

I recently found a blog that is moderate, informative and well-researched. I think you might like it, too. In an ongoing debate conducted by Dr. Cairney, I recently responded this way. I'd love your opinion after you read this. Do you have a definite belief about teaching young children to read?

"Thank you, Dr. Cairney, for the moderate, unbiased view you are presenting to parents and educators. You have expressed both sides of the debate about teaching babies to read with honesty and clarity. In addition, I have read most of the books you mentioned. They are valuable ones.

I am an educator who also taught my own children to read before entering school, not by using any program, but by playing with words and sounds and creating lots of games for them. Because of that, they were all good students. I taught them as 3 year olds, not babies. I now own a Reading Center where I focus on teaching children to read and on helping struggling children pass their grade levels and attempt to "catch up" with their peers.

I agree with you on so much that you stated. But I do disagree with your (possible) conclusion that parents should focus on other quality learning experiences. First, reading with 3 year old children can be a way to play with them. It should not be only drill or practice or even sitting still. It can be exciting and playful, too.

I, for one, could only "imaginary play" with my children for three or four minutes at a time before I was looking for something else to do. But playing "reading treasure hunt," or "slap that," or "hide and seek" using words or colors or numbers held my interest much longer. They loved it too! And reading play is so much better for kids than television, even quality programs.Second, educators love to tell parents to read to their children.

But as Rachel suggested, a parent can do so much more. Reading to your child really is not enough in the area of literacy. Children should be beginning readers when they enter school. It ensures school success for them.

I see children at the Reading Center who will be held back in Kindergarten because they cannot read well enough to move on to 1st grade. Almost all of the children brought to me are bright children who should NOT be held back. All they need is an individual to help them take their first steps into reading instead of a teacher dealing with a large group. Yes, even fifteen is a large group.

If a parent chooses to be that teaching individual, the child has all the one-on-one time he or she wants with the one person he or she most wants to spend time with, and the one person who will most likely appreciate and enjoy each step of progress made.

In so much of the world now, children spend a great deal of time in daycare settings. That setting is ideal for playful beginning reading. While the director is planning snacks, free play, crafts, and outdoor activities, why not plan reading activities as well? Not reading worksheets, but reading activities, games, and play. And I'm not talking about "a letter a week." That is bare bones, minimal learning. I am talking about 15 minutes of real reading play.

I have created a reading program for children ages 3 to 6 that I use and am marketing to parents, preschools, and day cares. I am not familiar with YBCR and am only vaguely familiar with Glen and Janet Doman's work. But I appreciate their efforts to assist parents in this area. Possibly their programs would be good for 2 1/2 year olds?

I predict early learning is the wave of the future. If so, let's do it right, in short and playful segments. One child in our program recently told me, "Reading is my favorite way to play!"

Thank you for providing a forum for this discussion. "

Sincerely,

Jodi Heaton Hurst

FLUNKING!

DO NOT AGREE TO HOLD YOUR CHILD BACK TO REPEAT A GRADE LEVEL. I do not approve of flunking a child. Most educational researchers and reviewers agree. Flunking is just too damaging to your child for you to even consider it. It does not give your child benefits. It is all negative. There is no positive.

Many studies have shown that children who are flunked a year most often are still not doing well at the end of the second or third year. More children drop out of school later on who have been flunked at least one year than children who have not been flunked. Look up education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2431/Social-Promotion.html for a good article on this position. This article sums up flunking by stating that "Researchers and reviewers...typically conclude that...grade retention imposes too many social and motivational costs, and students appear to get more out of a year spent in the next grade than they do out of a year spent repeating a grade, even though they are likely to continue to achieve less successfully than their classmates."

In other words, flunking damages your child's confidence and motivation and social standing. Your child will still struggle in school even if held back.

And, by the way, it is your decision. The elementary school parent ALWAYS gets to make the decision. The school can only recommend.

Then what do you do if your child is not learning as you and the school wishes? You get other help for your child.

A tutor is a first consideration, but you may have to try several tutors before you find one who works well with your child. And tutors are expensive. In the area of the country where I live, the midwest, tutors can range from $15.oo an hour to $55.00 an hour. Even $15 an hour becomes expensive. A struggling child needs hours of help. Plan to send your child to a tutor for at least six months to a year.

If someone in your family works well with your child and is willing to help on a regular basis, that is a good option to consider instead of a tutor. Of course, this must be regular, organized, prolonged help. I would suggest an hour a day, split up into two shorter sessions if your child is very young.

Some schools will help tutor your child. This is not always the best option. Closely watch your child to see if progress is being made. School tutoring assistance varies in quality more than outside tutoring help.

Get outside help for your child, reassure your child that being held back a grade is NOT in consideration, but that extra work until your child has caught up and moved ahead will be the order of the day. Then be firm, stay positive and encouraging, and help your child succeed as all children should be able to succeed.

Your child may be depressed right now, but nothing builds self-confidence like growing skills and finding success. Start today!