Page 28 - Parents Magazine (December 2019)

KIDSÑNews + Ideas

S H O U L D I B E W O R R I E D ?

My 8-year-old isn’t reading at
her grade level. What can I do?

It’s easy to panic when your child seems to be falling behind in school.
But you can calm your concern and help her at the
same time, says Parents advisor Cathy Vatterott, Ph.D., professor
emeritus at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and author
of Rethinking Homework. Ask yourself these three questions.

Go Ahead,
Let Him Jump Into
the Ball Pit!

Think that giant vat of rainbow
orbs is really just a huge petri dish
of germs? Not quite, according to
a recent study. Researchers at the
University of North Georgia found
31 types of bacteria in the ball pits of
six physical-therapy clinics. That
might seem like a high ick factor,
but it’s a very low risk for kids, says
Adam Ratner, M.D., director of
the Division of Pediatric Infectious
Diseases in Hassenfeld Children’s
Hospital at NYU Langone. “Your
child can come into contact with
these bacteria anywhere,” says
Dr. Ratner. Those like Streptococcus
oralis and Staphylococcus hominis
may sound scary, but they’re not
just crawling in ball pits; they also
live on virtually every kid’s skin
and tongue. Unless your child has
1 Who says your child could point to several book you can about them!) skin lesions or a compromised
is struggling? possible causes, like word- Your child’s teacher and immune system, playing in a germy
If the problem was revealed recognition or decoding reading specialist might ball pit shouldn’t put him at any
through school testing or issues or even vision or also suggest ways to higher risk for infections.
her teacher’s concern, then hearing problems (each of support her improvement,
you should figure out which which requires a different such as having you read However, do keep in mind that
assessment was used and type of intervention). Once to her, having her read to cleaning standards and schedules
ask what issues it found. you learn which reading you (and the dog!), talking vary widely from one pit to another.
But opinions of other parents behaviors might be factors, with her about what she’s Ask when the balls were last sanitized.
and comparisons with rest assured that her teacher reading, getting her to If the attendant doesn’t know (or you
what other children in her and reading specialist have reread a book she liked, or smell something funky), it’s best to
grade are reading aren’t many tools available to help letting her write her own stay out. As always, common-sense
valid reasons to worry. her get to the next level. story to read. precautions apply: Your kid should
Finally, relax. You don’t wash his hands before and after he
2 Why is she not reading 3 What can you do
at grade level? together at home? want your worries to affect jumps in, and you should make sure
Reading is a complex Allow your kid’s interests your child’s confidence. he’s up to date on his vaccinations.
process. If your child tests to drive what she reads. Reading is supposed to be —Kaitlin Lowe
below grade level, this (She loves dogs? Find every fun, not an anxious chore.
—E.E. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PRISCILLA GRAGG; BOANA/GETTY; PETER ARDITO.

Y E T A N O T H E R WAY T O S AY “ I L OV E YO U ”
Give your child a boost midway through her day. Lunch Box Letters, by
Carol Sperandeo and Bill Zimmerman, contains 100 different tear-out notes
like “Have an awesome day!” and “Keep smiling, because …” with room
for you to write, plus a joke or a riddle so your kid and her friends can LOL
at lunchtime. $10; amazon.com
—E.E.

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