First-graders with asthma may be less able to read than their peers, according to researchers published in the journal Chest.
We believe that asthma and early reading achievement are related in some way, says Dr. Kathleen A. Liberty of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. We can only speculate on the possible causes, however one reason may be breathing problems.
Dr. Liberty observed 298 children during their first year of school (in New Zealand, children were five at the time). By the end of the school year, more than half of children with asthma and more than a third of healthy children were at least six months behind their peers in reading literacy. However, the impact of the disease was not noticed in the case of math skills.
The researcher took into account factors such as family income and more frequent absences from school, but they did not explain the observed relationship.
Children usually read aloud during their first year of schooling. Asthma students may find it difficult to control their breathing, or learn to control it by reading. It’s part of the reading process that has clearly not been studied well enough, says Dr. Liberty.
Scientists say they will undertake further research, but in the meantime they advise parents of children with asthma to pay attention to how their children are doing at school and spend more time reading together at home if necessary. (PAP)