"I can't read!"

Has your child said that? Mine did. I winced painfully as she said this point blank to a lady, in of all places, a bookstore.

Especially if you are a parent who loves to read, it can be mystifying and frustrating if your child struggles or doesn't enjoy reading. There is hope!

Encourage any effort your child does make, pay attention when the child reads to you, talk about the story, tell your child your favorite part and ask what his was.

We kept a book list on the refrigerator for each young learner. I let my children list each title as they finished the book or story, and I let them list it for each time they read it. If they read the same story 4 times, they could list the title 4 times.

Every 10 titles, we would do some small special thing. A small, one-scoop ice cream cone after lunch, the child gets to pick what is for dinner from 2 or 3 options, we go for a walk and picnic, there are lots of possibilities!

One of my children liked to list not only title and author, but also number of pages in the book. At the bottom of each page she would total the number of pages she'd read.

Your children will get farther, faster with their reading skill by reading more books at a level that is relatively easy for them, rather than dialing up the challenge each time they complete a story. I know this seems counterproductive, and it's agonizing when your older learner is still reading at a level below their age-mates.

While there are times, of course, that issues such as learning disabilities, vision, etc. affect learning to read, keep in mind that each child is unique. Each will need "X" amount of practice before gaining fluency, and we really don't know how much "X" is for each particular child.

Know that others have trod this road as well, and it is a difficult one! The pressure from friends and family can make you feel you have failed your child. Don't go there. Explore creative ways to help your child practice letter sounds and reading, and be patient! The day will come when your child surprises you by pulling a book of the shelf (voluntarily!) and says, "Mom, I'm going to read this." And he does.

(More on Language Arts games and creative ways to practice in the next post!)