Struggles with reading often lead to problems in other academic areas
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That’s what Sally Kader, the owner of Kanata South Kumon Centre—an after-school math and reading program—believes.
The signs that a child is struggling often appear before that child learns to read, or as they are just learning, says Kader.
“A kindergarten teacher might notice something,” says Kader, “but by Grade 2, when your child is expected to be reading, it’s an even larger problem.”
Enter Kumon, which Kader says is very child-centric. “Our program is based on the science of reading,” says Kader. “We go into the components of the words—like syllables, phonics and a specific sequence for learning letters and blends. Kumon is a supplemental education program and it’s why we use levelled work sheets for our students.”
Sally Kader. Photo Courtesy Kanata South Kumon Centre
The students are assessed and then monitored on their skill sets to see where they are.
“We don’t set deadlines,” says Kader. “We just watch for progress at their own level, and we usually see an improvement in a few months.”
The Kumon system pushes forward when the child is ready. Parents are encouraged to be involved. “If parents are reading to their child and coaching them along,” says Kader, “that’s great.”
Students are held accountable for their work and shown appreciation for their efforts. “When they do well,” says Kader, “it really boosts their self-esteem. And that’s a good thing.”
Shella Mithani, centre director for Oxford Learning in Ottawa, says the after effects of COVID-19 are still impacting children who are struggling in school.
Shella Mithani. Photo Courtesy Shella Mithani
“Many children lost two years of learning during COVID,” says Mithani. “We see children with a lack of focus because they were out of classrooms for so long. And that had a huge effect on spelling and comprehension, which created a ripple effect for reading and other subjects.”
At Oxford Learning, children are assessed with a system used by psychologists. “This isn’t a diagnosis,” says Mithani, “but it helps establish a profile on how a child learns.” An academic assessment, she adds, “looks at not just reading, but grammar, spelling and writing as well. That helps us build an individual plan for them.” Mithani says understanding how a child learns helps to determine where the program should start. “We want to start them at a level where they can still feel a bit of confidence,” says Mithani. “Overwhelming a student just slows things down.” Parents are provided with constant feedback and a progress report is created every three months.
“We know this can be tough for parents,” says Mithani. “Having them on board and proactive not only helps them, but it makes for a more positive experience for their child.”
Reading is fundamental to academic success, says Joaquin Pineda, owner and education consultant with Tutor Doctor Ottawa.
Joaquin Pineda. Photo Courtesy Tutor Doctor Ottawa
Like Kader, Pineda says that without good reading skills, “other subjects become a struggle.”
“Unfortunately, most parents and often even teachers, don’t realize there is a reading problem until Grade 2 or 3. These kids are very good at faking it, so it makes even harder to determine the problem.”
When there are problems with reading, there could be a variety of challenges at play, including dyslexia and ADHD. Pineda says it’s crucial to define those issues.
“We do an assessment and a profile to determine the problem and to find out about each child,” says Pineda. “Often, we discover that it’s been a problem for a while. But we’re here to help parents help their child and to build those skills and restore their own confidence.” Pineda says family involvement is important and often key to a child’s reading success. “We recommend family reading,” says Pineda. “It’s a great way to practice and create a friendly reading space with no distractions.”
Having a routine is important as well. Pineda says it doesn’t have to be a daily reading session— it’s more crucial to keep it regular and expected.
When they read, children should favour books over tablets or phones, Pineda says, explaining that using a book is more effective and uses a different part of the brain. “You might be surprised that it becomes something your child looks forward to doing,” says Pineda. “And being positive about reading helps parents maintain a positive attitude as well.”
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Useful websites
tutordoctor.com/ottawa-nepean/
oxfordlearning.com/locations/nepean-tutoring/