Research tells us that it is vital to read with and to our children from a very young age. Even time spent talking with our children helps to set the stage for intellectual growth and language development. Experts say that the amount of talk a child hears from birth through age three directly attributes to their academic successes at ages nine and ten.
We know that when a child struggles with reading, it doesn’t just affect their performance in reading or English class. Students who have reading difficulties often struggle in other subjects as well because reading is so integral to learning in almost all fields. When reading challenges are not addressed, a child will frequently grow to dislike school because they feel that they’re “not good at it.”
While we may know this information, when it comes to our own child struggling with reading, we are often unsure of what to do or how to help. If your child’s teacher raises concerns, or you notice that your child is struggling with or is very resistant to reading, it may be time to take some action. Here are a few tips for helping your struggling reader at home.
It Can Be More Than Just Comprehension
O f t e n w h e n w e t h i n k o f a c h i l d s t r u g g l i n g w i t h r e a d i n g , w e imagine t h e y r e a d b u t do n o t c o m p r e h e n d w h a t t h e y ’ v e r e a d . W h i l e this may i n d e e d b e t h e ca s e , y o u n g r e a d e r s m a y s t r u g g l e w i t h a v a r iety of f a c t o r s . R e a d i ng c o n s i s t s o f m o r e t h a n j u s t c o m p r e h e n s i o n . Children c a n s t r u g g l e w it h f l u e n c y , p h o n e m i c a w a r e n e s s , p h o n i c s , a nd v o c a b u l a r y a s we l l . I t ’ s i m p o r t a n t t o k e e p t h i s i n m i n d a n d work with y o u r c h i l d ’ s t e ac h e r t o d e t e r m i n e p r e c i s e l y w h e r e t h e i s s ue lies to a d d r e s s i t a p p ro p r i a t e l y .
Make It Fun
H e l p i n g y o u r c hi l d i m p r o v e t h e i r r e a d i n g d o e s n ’ t n e e d t o be f r u s t r a t i n g . K no w t h a t y o u r c h i l d w i l l m a k e m i s t a k e s a n d that t h o s e m i s t a k e s a r e o k a y . B e i n g p a t i e n t w i t h y o u r c h i l d w i l l help t h e m v i e w r e a di n g a s a n e n j o y a b l e e x p e r i e n c e r a t h e r t h a n a n e g a t i v e o n e . Do n ’ t s o l e l y f o c u s o n w h a t t h e y ’ r e d o i n g w r ong; m a k e s u r e t o ce l e b r a t e e v e n s m a l l s u c c e s s e s . B e c o m i n g f r u strated a n d c o n s t a n t cr i t i c i s m w i l l o n l y s e r v e t o d e m o t i v a t e y o u r c hild a n d i n c r e a s e t he i r a n x i e t y a b o u t r e a d i n g .
Let Them Choose
W e m a y t h i n k th a t w e n e e d t o m a k e o u r c h i l d r e n r e a d mo r e b o o k s , b u t i t i s e s s e n t i a l t o remember that books are not the only reading m a t e r i a l s a v a i l ab l e .  L e t t h e m c h o o s e . S o m e children will be drawn to magazines or comics m u c h q u i c k e r th a n a b o o k – p a r t i c u l a r l y s t r u g g l i n g r e a de r s b e c a u s e t h e a d d e d v i s u a l s are helpful and exciting. Even websites can p r o v i d e o p p o r tu n i t i e s t o e n g a g e s t r u g g l i n g r e a d e r s . A l l o w in g y o u r c h i l d t h e f r e e d o m t o c h o o s e w h a t t he y r e a d c a n h e l p m o t i v a t e t h e m t o r e a d m o r e an d s t r e n g t h e n t h e i r s k i l l s . T h i s g o e s f o r r e a d i ng t o p i c s a s w e l l . I f y o u r c h i l d enjoys reading about dragons and castles, avoid p u s h i n g t h e m to r e a d s o m e t h i n g e l s e .
Make It Relevant
Literacy skills are about more than just getting a good grade on the report card. Point o u t t h e  c o n n e ct i o n s b e t w e e n r e a d i n g s k i l l s a n d e v e r y d a y ac t i v i t i e s . S h o w i n g k i d s t h a t r e a d i n g i s a r e gu l a r p a r t o f d a i l y l i f e c a n increase their motivation. Have them write a l e t t e r t o a f a mi l y m e m b e r , l e a v e a n o t e a b o u t where they’re going before they leave the h o u s e , k e e p a gr o c e r y l i s t , e t c . S e t a s i d e t i m e t o r e a d e v e r y da y a n d m a k e i t a p a r t o f t h e i r routine.
Read Aloud
Have your child read aloud to you, t h e i r b a b y b r o th e r , t h e f a m i l y p e t . N o t o n l y d o e s th i s p r o v i d e t h e m w i t h practice, but it also gives them an a u d i e n c e  a n d ca n h e l p b u i l d c o n f i d e n c e i n th e i r a b i l i t i e s .
Lead By Example
I t ’ s a l w a y s g o od w h e n y o u r c h i l d h a s t h e opportunity to see you reading for pleasure. It reinforces the idea that reading can be fun and something done for entertainment. Take time to talk with your child about what you’re reading. Share how you overcome difficulties as you read. Demonstrating reading skills for your child also helps to normalize the c h a l l e n g e s i n r ea d i n g – s h o w i n g t h e m t h a t e v e r y o n e s t r u gg l e s n o w a n d t h e n . I t c a n b e a real confidence booster.
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