Help moms or dads

[Two Cents]

My brother's son (2nd grader) can't read a lick. He reads worse than my other nephew (4 years old). I'm starting to get worried, so for Xmas, I want to buy Hooked-on-Phonics for him. Is that stuff for real? Am I wasting my time and money? Any input is greatly appreciated.

[welfareloser]

it soudns like he is beyond that. he needs to be taken to a specialist (maybe a sylvan learning center?) to be professionally evaluated so that he can get some personalized care - i don't think a solution-in-a-box is going to cut it in this case. i would suggest to the parents that they do something as soon as possible to minimize the amount of frustration and anxiety about school that i am sure he is experiencing. good luck!

[chrissy]

I agree with Welfare on this. But if you want to get him something educational, that or a leap pad -- anything that teaches phonics that is fun would be good.

It isn't uncommon anymore for that to happen. Schools are pushing kids through and teaching just enough to get a good grade on standardized tests and then the kids forget it.

Not like "the letter people" I grew up with...

[Blu]

I'm no dad, but I agree with Welfare. My little bro has a learning diability, and the best thing my parents did for hime was to get help from a professional.

Oh, to have the letter people back though! They ruled.

TBG

[Jenny]

Definitely check, because if he has dyslexia, that could seriously affect his reading ability... Good luck!

[chrissy]

Originally posted by TheBluGuy
I'm no dad, but I agree with Welfare. My little bro has a learning diability, and the best thing my parents did for hime was to get help from a professional.

Oh, to have the letter people back though! They ruled.

TBG

You know what is really sad? I remember what the letters stood for!

A = achoo
B = beautiful buttons
C = cotton candy ( I even had the charactor balloon for him :D )

Etc...

[BrewMaster]

Might wantto talk to the special education teacher at his school. My sister is a special ed teacher and she does this all the time. Basically they just evaluate if the kid has a learning disability and what needs to be done to help the kid. Good luck.

[Blu]

Originally posted by Jenny
Definitely check, because if he has dyslexia, that could seriously affect his reading ability... Good luck!
Exactly, and he'll get frustrated and not want to learn at all. And that will make matters worse.

TBG

[Two Cents]

Thanks peeps. I'm his uncle, and young at that, so there's only so much I can do. Seeking a professional is ideal, but I can't make that decision, I've learned that once before.

[brainsmile]

yeah... start from the top and work down rather than the other way around