About Marilyn Robb Expertise I am an educational psychologist and counsellor, with more ten years of experience in teaching, parenting, running support groups and workshops, teacher training and counselling. I would like to share my knowledge and expertise in issues particularly related to helping children cope with learning and the school experience.
Expert: Marilyn Robb Date: 3/19/2006 Subject: Motivating Young Child to Learn to Read and Write
Question My 6year old grandson is taking his time to show an interest in reading and writing. His teacher has said he wants to go to the toilet whenever anyone in class has to go, and is quite distracted in class looking round at other children. He can sit at a computer for ages and can concentrate fine in front of TV. He is very active and enjoys outdoor activities best - he's very talented physically. He is a very smart, mature young man and always has been, but will not turn on to learning to read and write and I am starting to worry about him being left behind in the school system. I have tried using educational CD Roms and his own interests in vehicles to motivate him to no avail. Please help!
Answer Dear Lesley
Thank you for your question.
First I want to encourage not to be over-anxious about the situation. Your grand son is still quite young and it is not unusual for children, especially boys, at this age to prefer to be doing anything more active than reading. The fact that he is physically active and therefore shows interest in something/s indicates that he is developing normally.
It could possibly be that his level of functioning is beyond that of the reading material. He could be bored with it. His mind needs stimulating and challenging in different ways.
You may want to have him tested (even informally and briefly) to see whether he may be in the gifted range.
He may need to be allowed to develop his talents in the ways that are encouraging and motivating to him.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Dr.Marilyn Robb
www.ajoyfulplace.com
