Tips from an Expert with Multiple Children

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PARENTS FORUM

TEACHING MULTIPLE CHILDREN & OTHER REQUESTS

I purchased your program in May. I have two children about the same age. Can I teach this at the same time or should I do it separately?

Frontline Phonics Reading Program

There is no problem with teaching them at the same time. I didn't catch the age of your children, so I don't know the range we're talking about, but if they are both interested, teaching them together shouldn't be a problem, and should be a fun family time for you and them. A caution: if your youngest is under 4 and starts to lose interest or can't seem to grasp the next concept; then that is OK. Slow down with that child, even wait till after they are 4 and then pick it back up again. Meanwhile, keeping the older child still going. Teaching them separately as their needs and development change is something that you need to be aware of. Have fun!

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I need some assistance with helping my two sons with reading. They are 7 and 8 years old. My eight year old has more trouble. My other son was on second grade reading level in the first grade but it has decreased so he needs more help. I try myself, but I am not teaching material. I do get frustrated at times.

Don't get discouraged—it's for almost everyone to teach their own kids. I can work wonders with many small readers, but have a few of my own kids who gave me fits. It's common. That's why we have teachers in the first place. Not everyone has the same package of talents and gifts--we need all kinds.

I have all boys, so I know it's rather difficult to get boys to want to read much. I have a great reader, and then one who would rather be anywhere else, doing anything else than reading a book. Nonetheless, reading is not optional, so you've got to be a bit tricky.

First of all, you need to ask yourself why are they struggling. Is there some basic concept here at the beginning level of reading development that they are not getting? Is there something missing in their development that is critical to the reading process? Do they fully understand how the alphabet letters fit together or are they just trying to memorize and then recall every word in our language? Different parts of the country/school/teachers, have different ways to teach reading. Some ways work better with some kids than other ways. What reading methodology are your boys working on? Perhaps under that methodology, they aren't "getting it" and might need a different approach to have it make sense to them. A close and constant discussion with their teachers would be in order to make sure that they maintain their reading level, and don't fall any further behind.

Be patient, keep working with them. Read to them every night. Letting them pick a great children's classic and reading them a chapter a night will be a great opportunity for all of you. Let them see you read individually--let them see how valuable reading is to you. It's so important. It sounds like you're doing a great job. Keep going—keep working at it. Get some help from their teachers and the school. Good luck to you!

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I have two toddlers, Chance 4 1/2 and Bailey 3 1/2. Bailey is VERY interested in books, sounds of letters, reading, etc. She is always asking us to read to her. The problem is that she monopolizes my time so much since Chance just doesn't seem too interested when Bailey wants to do these things. WE try to involve him, but he isn't interested. On the occasions that he does ask me to read to him, I am usually very happy to do so, but even as I'm reading the book, his interest seems to be only marginal, as if he just wanted me to read to him to get some specialized time. I don't know how to separate the two (which I'm afraid is the only way to teach him), because they are always together, and she so loves the idea of reading that she answers the questions for him before he can think it through.

The problem you are describing is very common; a. among siblings, and b. the differences between boys and girls. Girls mature physically and academically much faster than boys and are usually much more interested in reading than are boys. That's not always the case, but generally. There are many things I do in my school classroom that involve all my kids, but when it comes to reading, I teach that on a very individualized basis. I work one-on-one with them, allowing no other child to participate with them during their reading time--for the very reasons you describe--a more interested child will answer before the child I'm working with, and then the child I'm working with won't answer at all.

I think you can read to them together and play fun reading games and share story time, but that your son also needs individualized, one-on-one time with you. His interest level is typical, he's probably much more interested in playing with his truck, but he still needs to start understanding the letters and sounds and how they go together. Working with him individually, for short intervals (5-10 min) will be enough to begin with. Working with him by himself will also allow you to praise him for his progress and encourage his development without competing with his younger sister. Working with her individually will allow her to progress (probably faster than your son), and not feel that she needs to always help him.

Having each of them have their own reading time will benefit both, but they don't need to be long, like I said, 5-10 min. each, or if her interest dictates more, then maybe 15-20 min, but not much more than that. Listen to the music while you're in the car, during play time, bath time, anytime so that it becomes automatic. They know what the letter "a" says because they've heard it forever. You may have to have your husband do a special activity with your daughter while you work with your son so she won't feel left out at first, but she'll quickly understand that she also gets individual reading time, and will begin to respect that time in anticipation of her own time. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work, and enjoy the process of working with your children.

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Online “Ask a Coach” replies of www.frontlinephonics.com should be used for general advice purposes only. Information given by our coaches is not intended to provide a basis for action in particular circumstances without consideration by a competent professional.