Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

How can parents discern whether a problem area is a character issue or a real learning difficulty? Chairman Michael Farris talks with reading specialist Dr. Karen Holinga on this edition of Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Farris:


Karen, sometimes a learning difficulty can look like a character issue. What can you tell parents to help them discern the difference?


Dr. Holinga:


I think the critical thing is watching the child in many different situations. Notice when the frustration is the greatest, and if you see it in all areas. Many times kids with reading problems are really good in math, and they even like to write and make up stories, they just don't like to read. Another characteristic of children with reading problems is that they have good and bad days. When they're obviously bright, interested in lots of other things, and when they love to be read to, there's probably something going on that's hindering their ability to learn.


Mike:


So if a family decides that their child fits your description, what do they do next?


Dr. Holinga:


Get help! Enlist your pediatrician, find a psychologist who can do some testing, find a good pediatric optometrist, and get a tutor and don't give up! New research is telling us that the brain is most receptive to learning how to read between the ages of six and eight, and if your child isn't progressing, don't wait! By the time a child is in third grade, we only have a one in four chance of turning him around. And by that time, self-esteem issues start to occur. He's beginning to believe that reading is too hard, and that greatly diminishes our chances of helping him as well.


Mike:


Karen, I want to thank you very much for those great insights. I'm sure our listeners will appreciate what you had to say. I'm Mike Farris.