Joan Williams assists her seven-year-old son, Randine Duffus, with his reading. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Colleen Thompson, a trained early childhood educator, addresses the issue so often raised by parents - their children are not reading. Using Rohan as an example, she asks the following questions: Is Rohan seeing well? Can he hear well? Is he experiencing any developmental delay? In this, the final of her two-part series, she gives further advice.

The next stop is at the library. Rohan can also be motivated to read if he is introduced to the library. He will have a variety of books to choose from and he will be delighted. It would be nice if parents would sit and read with their children at the library and as often as possible at home. Children love bedtime stories. Read them often. It also helps you to bond with your child.

Another benefit of reading is to help him/her to understand certain concepts or to deal with issues that he/she may be experiencing, for example, Rohan may be attending a new school and is missing his friends. You may read a story of someone who is facing similar challenges and how he manages to cope. This must be followed by discussion.

Teachers also have a responsibility to develop special programmes to strengthen areas of weakness in their students. As an educator, I know that it is my responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure that my students are given the opportunity to master reading.

A different pace

I am aware that every child learns at a different pace and this must always be taken into account as we strive to meet the challenges.

In addition, there are children with special needs that cannot be addressed in the regular classroom.

Their learning styles have to be met with the relevant tools and strategies in order for them to achieve success. The teacher has to find creative ways of dealing with this matter and engage in additional research in discovering ways to assist the needs of his/her students.

Teachers who are trained in the field of special education are specialists in dealing with children who may have challenges in learning or who may just need a different mode of learning. Some children need more hands-on activity in order to grasp a concept while others need to see pictures. There are schools for special-needs children and I believe that if more parents would consider this option their children would be more successful.

Some parents are of the view that special-needs schools are for children who are unable to learn and so they choose to keep them in primary school.

Challenged daily

I am not a special education teacher and I am challenged every day by students with special needs. In addition to using other strategies to motivate them, if I find that they are not responding as expected, I encourage their parents to have them assessed. Some parents are reluctant to do this and insist that the child is OK or that he or she is just lazy. Other parents do what is necessary and their children benefit. When the child is assessed, the parents will be advised as to the way forward.

If Rohan continues to perform below the required level after intervention has been done, his parents should consider taking him to the Mico Care Centre or any other centre where he can be assessed. In order to find out what is causing the delay in your child's reading level, you need to have him tested by a professional who is trained in that field. Teachers do not have all the answers. When teachers make recommendations for your child to be tested, or if you notice signs of learning disability, take immediate steps to help him/her.

Your child is depending on you.

POSITIVE Parenting