Last chance children

[lily]

Did anyone watch the above 3 programmes? The method used to teach reading was so familiar- just how I learnt all those years ago! My own children learnt by look and say method- it worked well for 2 but not for the third. It seems dreadful that we now have 1 in 5 children leaving junior school unable to read

[Oola]

I didn't see them but I did see a small excerpt on the evening news. Apparently they think that there's too much significance given to writing neatly these days - they say it can slow down development. Also, interestingly, they think learning to type can also help with reading and writing skills!

I had no probs at school with that regard, I flew through my english lit and language at a rate of knots, particularly when I was much younger in lower and middle school. I even had an interview at Brasenose College at Oxford to read English (didn't get on there, felt like a dunce and 'common' and left early to go home and finish my art coursework. Possibly a big mistake as I had another interview at Lincoln college that I forfeited...). I always felt supported at school, I was lucky in that my teachers took the time to really push me, and I enjoyed it most of the time.

My sister, on the other hand, had a lot of difficulty and was only diagnosed with dyslexia when she was in her second year of university. I distinctly remember that she used to take such a long time writing out her essays, screwing them up and starting again if she messed up a line. It used to take her ages. She didn't have nearly as much time devoted to her by the teachers as I did, in fact she went through her school life just believing she was thick, despite her best efforts and really hard work. She works with a lot of paperwork these days and it really tires her out physically and mentally. I can't help feeling that had she had more time to get to grips with her dyslexia during her education, she wouldn't find it so tiring now.

[jazzactivist]

I watched the programmes, lily and Oola, and I must admit that I felt quite uncomfortable about the method used as it seemed too rote-based and focused on the skills of reading rather than on encouraging a real interest and joy in it. I think that is what is missing in schools today, the chance to have fun and experiment with learning and be encouraged to do your own thing with it. Then children will really want to read. I did agree with mixing children of different ages in classes according to their ability, but the school didn't seem to do anything with this opportunity where children can learn from one another, and learn to respect people of different ages to themselves.

[eleanor2]

i watched it.my mum had ten kids.we went to a council school full of poor kids a lot from big families.all of my family learnt to read fluently.one reason i think.we had no television.my mum loved reading. she instilled in us(again) a love of reading.i could read a famous. five book in a few hours by the age of about 8.i was not a good pupil at school on the whole. i thought you went school to have fun.i realy think cus we had no t.v.most of the time. we would spend our dark evenings and rainy days. reading or doing crafts. hey that sounds like me now.

[Crocus]

Mom, dad, me and sister used to sit in the living room during winter times on a Sunday afternoon after lunch, each with our own book. Reading away. It was also such a cosy feeling, the four of us. I enjoy reading immensely and if I don't have something to read, I get all panicky! I started to read at a fairly early eage, because I was so eager. I always thought that's what you do, because I always noticed mom and dad and sister reading!

[JerseyLily]

Have to say I was extremely lucky, in some respects, to have a nanny who taught me to read before I reached prep school age. At school was not so much fun as I ended up being volunteered to help others less fortunate with their reading skills, and that carried right through until secondary education where I was finally allowed to read and write in peace at my own pace. It's strange when I look back at that time because with hindsight I think it gave me a skill in helping others which came to the fore with my own children who could read and write long before they went to school.

Books were in abundance and treasured in our house and as a child I had a vast array to master, one way or another, if I wanted to read the adult books which I craved like there was no tomorrow. Little Women and The Doctor's Lass didn't cut it for me, I wanted to read what the adults were reading and I did when they weren't watching too closely.

[lily]

I remember my mother teaching me the basics before I started school and like Jersey lily I wanted to read adult books before the library rules said I coud- used to sneak across to the adult section and hope no-one saw me. My youngest son had problems learning and we were told not to try to hep him as we'd only make matters worse. I wonder if this new/old method had been used if he'd have found things easier.