Watching your child struggle with reading is hard. Reading struggles are common and you are not alone! In nearly two decades as an educator and a parent, I’ve helped countless students overcome their reading challenges. The right strategies can help every child grow into a confident and capable reader. Let’s take a look at why your child might be struggling, and the most effective ways to get them back on track.
Understanding the Basics of Reading Roadblocks
Why is my kid struggling?
Reading is a complex skill that involves a few basic mechanics. Understanding these educational buzzwords can be helpful when you are considering actionable ways to help your reader. Let’s break it down:
- Phonemic Awareness-identifying and manipulating individual sounds
- Phonics-understanding the sound(s) a letter makes
- Decoding-translating printed words into speech using phonics
- Vocabulary-the meaning of words
- Fluency– reading smoothly and accurately
- Comprehension-understanding what’s been read
Each of these skills play an important role in the process of reading. If any of them is underdeveloped, it can affect your child’s reading progress. So, how can you tell if your child would benefit from extra support? Look for the following signs:
- Difficulty sounding out words (phonics and decoding)
- Skipping words or lines (fluency)
- Trouble understanding story meaning (vocabulary and comprehension)
- Signs of frustration such as refusing to read, avoiding reading, and low confidence
Further support or testing may be necessary if your reader struggles consistently with any of the following:
- Confusion over letters that look similar, or difficulty remembering letters and sounds.
- Unpredictable or inconsistent spelling, or writing words backwards.
- Difficulty learning sequences, such as days of the week or the alphabet.
There are many possible reasons a reader can be struggling, including learning differences like dyslexia, inconsistent classroom instruction, speech challenges, social anxiety and more.
Identifying these early signs can empower parents to provide the necessary tools for developing confident, successful readers!
Effective Strategies to Help Your Struggling Reader
Using Phonics and Decoding Games
Making practice feel like play encourages readers to be consistent! There are simple, inexpensive activities you can do at home and on the go. Start with simple three letter words and build up to longer words as needed to keep them challenged! Try one of the following:
- Word Ladders: on a piece of paper, write a 3-letter word at the top. Take turns changing one letter only to make a new word and read it out loud. See how many they can do! If your learner likes timed activities, set a timer and challenge them to beat their last score!
- Race Across: on sheets of paper, write out a single, large letter (a mix of vowels and consonants). Place three on the floor several inches apart to make a word (c-a-t). Then, have your learner say the sound, hop or walk to the next and say that sound, and finally the third sound, then say the word. Have them go back and do it faster each time until they are “racing across” to sound out the letters and say the word! You can also take this activity outside with sidewalk chalk or race a toy car for variation.
- Word Journal: This is one of my favorite tools for daily car rides and road trips! Give your child a special journal (just a small, simple notebook) and writing tool that they take with them everywhere. When they see a sign, billboard, restaurant menu, etc. and can decode a new word, celebrate with them and have them write it in their journal! Challenge them to find new words each week and maybe offer a small reward (stickers, a treat, or an activity) for learning new words!
Building Vocabulary and Background Knowledge
A strong vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension. Reading books on different subjects—like animals, history, sports, or nature—helps broaden your child’s background knowledge. When they encounter new vocabulary in context, they’re more likely to understand its meaning, building both their word bank and comprehension skills. Let them choose books on topics that interest them!
Choosing Books at the Correct Reading Level
Readers need to be in the “sweet spot” with their reading level materials; not so easy that they’re bored, not so difficult that they get overwhelmed. One simple, but effective strategy is the 5-Finger Rule: as they read, count on your fingers how many words they don’t understand on a page. Simple, easy, and effective.
- 0-1 fingers (too easy)
- 2-4 fingers (just right!)
- 5+ fingers (too hard)
Developing Reading Fluency
Who doesn’t love a good storyteller? Fluency is a child’s ability to read smoothly and with expression, which helps them understand and enjoy stories. The most effective method for building this skill is modeling fluent reading: read out loud or listen to audiobooks! In addition to modeling, have them practice pacing and expression by reading fun poetry (kids love rhyming) and short passages from their favorite stories.
Asking Questions to Build Comprehension Skills
Strong comprehension skills are essential to learning through reading. Prompt your child to think critically about stories by asking questions such as, “Why do you think the character did that?” or “What might happen next?” Encourage them to retell the story in their own words or make connections between the story and their life. Books are a wonderful safe space for exploring emotions that can be overwhelming in real life.
Reading Interventions
Tutoring and Professional Support
Extra support from a reading tutor can make a significant difference and take the pressure off of busy parents. Look for tutors or reading specialists trained in evidence-based methods like the Science of Reading. They can offer structured lessons and one-on-one attention tailored to your child’s specific challenges. Savvy Learning offers trial classes so you can see if tutoring is a good fit for your child.
Working with Your Child’s Teacher
Teachers are valuable partners in supporting your child’s reading progress. Share your concerns and observations with your child’s teacher and ask for feedback on areas to focus on at home. Partnering with your child’s teacher can help ensure a collaborative approach between school and home. Some specific questions to consider asking are:
- “What are my child’s strengths and challenges in reading?”
- “What activities or books do you recommend?”
- “How can I best support reading practice at home?”
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing and Building Confidence
Creating a Positive Reading Environment
A welcoming, distraction-free reading space helps children focus and enjoy reading. Set up a cozy corner with a selection of books, comfortable seating, and good lighting. When reading time feels special, children are more likely to look forward to it and see it as a positive experience. Incorporate blankets, cushions, or even a favorite stuffed animal to make the space comforting. If you don’t have the space for a dedicated reading corner, making reading a special part of the bedtime routine or even just cuddling on the couch with your reader is a great start!
Recognizing Small Wins and Praising Effort
Celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small. If they read a challenging word correctly or finish a book, acknowledge their efforts. This positive reinforcement builds their confidence and encourages them to keep trying. Compliments like, “I’m so proud of how you tried a hard word!” reinforce a growth mindset and help them feel accomplished.
Managing Frustration and Building Resilience
Reading challenges can be frustrating. When frustration arises, encourage breaks, or switch to an easier book to rebuild their confidence. Practicing mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing, can also help them manage their emotions. Teach them that it’s okay to struggle and that each small step is part of their journey toward becoming a strong reader. With resilience, they can face reading challenges with a positive outlook.
Tips for Parents: Consistency, Patience, and Encouragement
Staying Consistent
Regular practice is essential for reinforcing new skills. Short, consistent reading sessions each day are often more effective than long, infrequent ones. Savvy Learning keeps classes to 25 minute sessions four days per week. The lessons are fast-paced, fun, engaging, and most importantly–consistent. They can even be done “on-the-go” if needed! Not ready to commit to a regular class? Consider incorporating reading into your daily routine—such as reading together at bedtime. Only do this if it can be a stress-free addition to your routine. Keep it short! You only need 15-20 minutes to be effective.
Practicing Patience
Every child progresses at their own pace, and improvement may take time. Staying patient and offering gentle encouragement lets your child know that you’re there to support them, no matter how fast or slow their progress. Over time, your patience and support will help them feel secure and motivated to continue working on their skills.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Foster a positive attitude toward challenges by helping your child view mistakes as part of learning. Remind them that everyone struggles with something and that each challenge they overcome brings them closer to their goals. When children believe they can improve, they’re more likely to persevere, even in the face of difficulty. There is nothing more rewarding than the pride beaming from a newly confident reader!
Using the Science of Reading to Support Struggling Readers
The Reading Wars: A Brief History
Over the past several decades, the methodology for teaching children to read has teetered between phonics-based methods and a whole word or whole language approach. This has resulted in our education system continually reviewing and adjusting methods for training successful readers. Consider this simplified overview:
- 1970’s: The Whole Word Method ( the Dick and Jane readers) taught by repetition and picture references; became known as the “Look/Say” method
- 1980’s: The Whole Language Method where readers determine the meaning of a text based on personal connections and experiences, abandoning phonics methodology
- 1990’s-2000’s: Balanced Literacy is rooted in guided reading and leveled texts that work to balance phonics instruction with a meaningful literacy experience
- 2020’s: Science of Reading The Science of Reading is an evidence-based body of research that helps us understand the cognitive processes essential for reading proficiency and informs structured, explicit instructional practices.
What is the Science of Reading?
Remember those 6 buzzwords I mentioned in the beginning? The Science of Reading is evidence-based instruction that ties all those skills together in an engaging way that will build the strongest foundation imaginable for your young readers! For example, a child struggling with decoding may benefit from phonics-based games, and a child who finds comprehension challenging may benefit from discussion prompts and vocabulary activities.
So, what does this mean for you and your reader? It’s great news because the Science of Reading principles will help you identify the cognitive processes where your child may need extra support and help you provide the best tools to help them close the learning gap.
Savvy Learning Coaches are well-trained in this approach and the consistent, four-day-a-week schedule takes the pressure off of busy parents. We provide a fun, engaging, fast-paced lesson each day that will build confidence in your struggling reader. As a reading coach, I can’t begin to tell you the pride and joy I feel when I celebrate with a hard-working learner as they read their first words, sentences, and stories!
Conclusion
You’re not alone in this process, and there are many resources available to support you and your child. For additional tips and guidance, consider subscribing to Savvy Learning’s newsletter or connect with one of our reading specialists for more information on personalized support. Together, we can empower every child to unlock their full potential in reading!
