Struggling readers face many challenges that make reading feel overwhelming and daunting. These challenges may include difficulties with decoding words, poor comprehension skills, or a lack of motivation to pick up a book.
These obstacles to reading are why teachers, parents, and children often feel frustrated, embarrassed, and discouraged.
That’s why we strongly suggest that parents add a regular reading routine, at home, to help address these challenges and provide struggling readers with the support they need to improve their reading skills and build confidence.
Establishing a consistent routine that incorporates daily reading time, can create a positive and encouraging environment that promotes a love of reading.
WHAT READING EXPERTS SAY
Reading experts tell us that struggling readers need early and frequent intervention. This is all supported by research that shows that targeted support and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for struggling readers.
Richard L. Allington, author of What Really Matters When Working with Struggling Readers, wrote, “There is good news and bad news on working with struggling readers. The good news is that we now have an essential research base demonstrating that virtually every child could be reading grade level by the end of first grade. The bad news is that almost no schools in the United States have anything in place that much looks like what the research says young children need to become engaged readers.” Some strategies that good teachers employ to help struggling readers include:
- Reading and rereading familiar texts
- Reading aloud with guidance
- Providing students with a variety of books that they can read, understand, and enjoy
- Using direct or explicit instruction
- Focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
- Using inventive writing to motivate students
- Using “sound stretching” to focus on phonemes
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Your struggling reader will flourish with structure and an established time for reading at home, especially if this can be a shared experience with you.
Use these 11 ideas to help establish a beloved reading routine at home:
- Start early: Reading aloud sessions that start in infancy lay a foundation for language acquisition, vocabulary growth, and creating a special bond between child and parent.
- Create a designated reading nook: Find a corner, closet, or section of a room and deck it out with pillows, blankets, and books. So that the nook is effective, the area should feel serene and be far from other distractions.
- Model reading: It doesn’t make sense to expect children to enjoy reading if they don’t see us enjoying reading. Model joyful reading by ditching screen time for more read time. The enthusiastically sharing your favorite, age-appropriate parts of the book you are reading in the car or at dinner.
- Ask questions: Take time to ask your child what they are reading and what they like about their book. Reading comprehension is nothing more than understanding what’s being read, so ask questions and listen to the answers.
- Audio reading: You can support your struggling reader with audiobooks. Audio books are very helpful for students with dyslexia. However, audiobooks should never replace reading a book.
- Be consistent: Celebrity life coach, Tony Robbins teaches that, “Repetition is the mother of skill.” This statement couldn’t be truer for struggling readers. Make it happen parents! Your child must read every single morning or night, even if it’s for five minutes.
- Celebrate progress: Don’t forget to praise your child for their efforts and improvements in reading, no matter how small. Many children thrive with a reward system, like special treats, fun activities, or even earning a sticker that’s tracked on a poster board chart.
- Encourage exploration of different books: Oftentimes children get stuck in thinking that there is only one genre of book that they like. Introduce your student to a variety of book formats and genres but get their buy-in to try something new that interests them and caters to their preferred preferences.
- Take advantage of everyday reading opportunities: As you take your littles to school, play date, or their next appointment read billboards and signs together as you travel along the way. You can also teach your children to read food labels and package instructions at home. Each engagement reinforces reading skills.
- Send love notes: Every child enjoys receiving letters in the mail, or little notes and cards hidden strategically throughout your home.
- Advocate for your student: All children deserve the opportunity to be academically successful—no matter what academic challenges they face. Make certain that they are receiving every opportunity to learn and excel at school.
So, are we in favor of a regular, non-negotiable reading routine? Absolutely!
We know that having strong decoding and reading skills helps students to build knowledge, skills, confidence, and independence. No matter what is happening (or not happening) at your school to help your struggling reader, you can make a difference by creating a systematic, consistent reading routine at home.
