Pregnancy
Outsourcing Literacy
Question: I'm trying desperately to teach my eight-year-old to read better, but how can I encourage him if I have no real interest myself? He gets frustrated when he tries to read. How can I help him?
Answer: Try to find some high-interest materials for your son to read. Does he like dinosaurs? Race cars? Horses? Talk with the librarian at your public library and ask for suggested books on your son's reading level. Also, ask about appropriate software on your son's reading level at a computer store in your area.
Since you have no interest in reading yourself, find someone else who will read with your son. There may be a high-school student in your neighborhood who would be willing to help. You could also talk with local tutoring services about helping him with his reading. Children do learn from watching those around them, so make sure your son sees you reading the newspaper, magazines, or other materials.
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Barbara Potts has worked as an elementary school counselor for many years. She has a BA in psychology from Wake Forest University, and an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
