Checklist for Possible Future Reading Problems

My two children are both preschoolers. I am constantly playing with them, talking to them and reading lots of books with them. However, I am worried that I will not be able to spot it if one of my little girls is not truly ready to read when she gets to school. Are there signs that I should look for now to find out if either of the girls will have difficulties later on in reading? -- Avid Reader
Answer: Even though most children learn to read and over time are likely to become good readers, parents of young children definitely should look for signs that their preschoolers could be potential candidates for having difficulties in reading as they grow up. The National Center for Learning Disabilities has developed a great list of things for parents to watch out for when they are observing their preschoolers, to avoid reading problems later on:
* Very small vocabulary and/or slow vocabulary growth.
* Often unable to find the right word and speaks in very short sentences.
* Even with age-appropriate instruction, struggles with learning the names of letters of the alphabet, matching letters to sounds and rhyming.
* Difficulty remembering sequences such as numbers, alphabet, days of the week.
* Difficulty pronouncing simple words.
* Difficulty understanding simple directions and following routines.
* Difficulty learning colors and shapes.
* Extremely restless and easily distracted, compared with other children of the same age.
* Fine motor skills slow to develop. Has difficulty holding crayon or pencil, picking up small objects with fingers, copying basic shapes.
* Strong avoidance of certain activities, like storytelling and circle time.
Besides things to look for, there are things that you can do, according to the NCLD, that will encourage your child to develop into a good reader. You should:
* Read to your children every day.
* Point out words and letters that you find in your daily routines, while shopping or traveling through the neighborhood.
* Sing songs and share nursery rhymes.
* Go to the library and read books together.
For more information about your child's early reading skills, visit NCLD's Get Ready to Read! Web site (www.getreadytoread.org).