¶ … children learn how to read at the same pace. However, the parent does have some cause for concern. As Kelly & Campbell (n.d.) points out, "studies indicate that when students get off to a poor start in reading, they rarely catch up," (p. 1). Therefore, I would first thank and congratulate the parent on being concerned and seeking assistance. According to the Oxford Owl (n.d.), "the best thing to do if you are worried about your child is to talk to your child's class teacher." The first question I would ask would be how old the child is, and if the child is young, to direct the parent to the Oxford Owl website. This website includes a wide range of resources, games, and tools that parents can use with their children. I would also tell the parent, possibly later in our conversation, that a range of formal programs are available for their child including Success For All, Reading Recovery, the Spalding Method, Early Intervention Reading, the Boulder Project, and the Winston-Salem Project (Kelly & Campbell,...

1). The parent is able to choose whichever program they feel is appropriate, and I am here to help guide their decisions. A school-wide program will help parents find the necessary support they need.
I would first ask the parent what kind of reading activities the child engages in at home. Does the parent or another adult read to the child? If so, how often? Does the child engage in literacy activities that are unrelated to books such as reading product labels, playing with alphabet toys like blocks, or watching educational television shows with word instruction. It is important to ascertain the child's learning environment before making any recommendations. I would also want to know things like the child's history with reading. Is this the first time the child has been behind in reading, or has the child always struggled? Does the child have any relatives, friends, or siblings that can practice literacy exercises including reading with the child?

I would also want to know…