Literacy & Numeracy

Posted by Mighty (26 days ago)

I wont put this question to local parents as I know I will be shocked at what I wl be hearig but when you guys think (or are experiencing) children can really read. My daughter is almost 6 now but can only read very slowly. She even sometimes struggles with 3 lettered words. She is also behind in Mathematics. Due to family history, she had not had proper kindi education but then went straight to ESF at the age of 4 and a bit. The class teacher did show some concerns but she said she is not worrying and added that extra practices at home will help. I am doing what I can but just wondering if there are any other parents having/had the same problem and what are you doing to help. Tks.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by cara (26 days ago)

6 is still very young. just keep practicing. if you are really concerned, you can have her checked out for things like dyslexia (i know someone who's just been diagnosed. she's 25 yrs old and just finishing her uni degree. those of us who know her are amazed at how well she's done considering she had NO help and her marks are outstanding. but, it took a LOT of patience and perseverance on her part.)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (25 days ago)

Hi Cara, tks. I did think of dyslexia but dont want to be over concerned about things as you also said she is still very young. Just wondering if there are any parents out there in the same situation can comment as well?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by workingmum (25 days ago)

It might help to remember that in some countries children don't start school until they are 6 or 7 because they aren't ready. I wouldn't worry at all, with a lot of children it just clicks one day, especially with reading. I had a girl in my class before who was 6 and couldn't read. By the end of the year, something had just clicked and fell into place for her. She quickly caught up with her peers and now you would never know that she was a late reader. If you are stressing about it your daughter will also start to stress about it. Read to her and with her as much as you can and hopefully it won't be long until it does all fall into place for her. That said there may be an underlying difficulty but children can't be assessed properly for dyslexia until they are 7 anyway.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (25 days ago)

Hi workingmum, tks for yr reply. In fact her previous class teacher also said "children suddenly click one day without you noticing it". I am hoping that day wl come soon (^-^). It is sad to see my daughter struggling as I can see she is trying hard and she likes 'reading' a lot. Just dont want to miss out anything which I shld do to help. And yes we read together every day, and she likes copying sentences from her favourite story books as well.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (25 days ago)

My 5 year old daughter can't read. Not even the three letter words. As for Maths, I'm pretty sure she can only do the very basic additions and subtractions (under 10) and I don't even know if she'll get all of them right if

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (25 days ago)

Oops, I pressed the wrong button while editing. Sorry!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cd (25 days ago)

My daughter couldn't reaqd when she started primary school, and when tested in her 1st week wasn't that good even on letter recognition. I spoke to the teacher and said why had we spent all that money on kindy when she coulodn't even recognise her letters. The teacher said she would much rather have a child like my daughter that knew how to share, understood classroom rules, knew how to interact with other kids etc, than a child that could read and write but not interact with their peers. Once they grasp the concept of reading it usually kicks in quite quickly, agree with the others, don't stress, get simple books with just a few words in that she could read by herself that will build her confidence up, Don't push her, just make sure you and her reads everyday.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (25 days ago)

maybe you could help her make her own books.

you could talk to her about rhyming and pick out stories to read that have a lot of it (think: Dr Seuss).

then you could help her make her own book along these lines:

A cat.
A rat.
A fat cat.
The fat cat sat on a rat.
The rat has a hat.
The fat cat sat on the rat and the hat.
The hat is flat.

Then she could draw pictures to go with her books. you could make various books using various rhymes, my 4 year old likes to rhyme and he's just starting to put all the sounds together. he loves to draw as well, so we've made him a few books. he will easily take an hour to make all of the pictures for the book.

another thing my son LOVES is "Word World". it's a great little cartoon for learning phonics and how to read.

(I am based in Hong Kong)