Question: My sister’s child, who is within days of being the same age as my child, is already reading. Should I be concerned?

Children learn to read at different times, much like they learn to walk and talk. Most parents don’t realize the process that teaches your child to walk and talk virtually without instruction is the same process that enables your child to learn to read and write.

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Reading to your child is the best way to further your child’s language development, but trust your child’s natural abilities to learn.

If your child has school-related problems due to slow reading development, physiological reasons could be the cause. Diagnostic tests are available to detect the problem’s source.

Question: My child has gotten into the habit of screaming. What can I do to stop this behavior?

Children choose a behavior to get what they want, when they want it. Your child figured out the quickest way to get your attention – and more to the point, what the child needed – was to scream.

From that point on, your child merely had to practice the new skill. Behaviors are easy to acquire, but are difficult to modify. To stop an unacceptable behavior, the behavior has to stop achieving the desired result.

Don’t respond to the screams.

Do not misinterpret this suggestion; it does not mean stop responding to your child. Quite the contrary. Settle your child, speak softly and encourage your child to use words.

Tell the child you want to help, but you don’t understand screaming. Be kind, yet firm, and expect a test. Your child knows you understand screaming – after all it has been a successful tool in the past.

Try not to make this a battle of wills. Remember, changing poor behavior, whether you are two or 20, is hard work.