Delay in reading or writing...

Growing up I did not have a problem learning how to read and I loved to write. I give my parents all the credit for this, because they were constantly reading to me and putting a pencil in my hand. But, they did the same thing to my brother and it didn't come as easy. He didn't enjoy reading or writing and because of that he was weak in those subjects. But, I believe that it was because of his teacher's awareness of this and giving my extra help and tutoring that allowed him to experience reading in a new way. All children learn differently and at different speeds. My mother was terrified when she found out that my brother couldn't read as well and I did when I was his age, but the teachers reassured her that he was going to be okay.

You see as a teacher it is my responsibility to understand each student and their abilities and how much they can be pushed. All students are going to learn differently and at different speeds just like my brother. The key component to teaching a lower level learner how to read and write is patience and trial and error. Parents are key in teaching their child how to read and write, but it is my responsibility to build upon what they already (or in some cases don't already) know. I want all my students to be able to read and write well, but more importantly I know all my students want that for themselves and I will do everything in my power to make that possible.