Archives for May 2022

First graders typically are still learning how to decode words and also are responsible for memorizing a list of grade-level sight words. Common first grade literacy skills include understanding vowel sounds, decoding consonant blends, sorting words by categories (i.e. colors, numbers, etc.) and reaching a specific end-of-year reading level (this could vary by the reading system used).

Parents often want to help their first grader read more fluently and more confidently. If a child is reading below grade-level expectations or struggles with certain literacy skills, there are many ways to provide help. Use these 10 tips for first-grade reading practice to help young readers build confidence and gain a love or appreciation for the reading journey.  

• Read to children everyday

• Let children choose their books

• Re-read favorite books

• Play reading games

• Practice sight words daily

• Talk about books

• Visit a book destination

• Sign up for a library card

• Embrace positivity when helping children

• Use a reading app

Read Daily and Read Often

The number one tip to help first graders with reading is to encourage the reading habit. Read to children every day or ask them to read to parents. Practice is essential for children to feel more confident and to become read more fluently.

If parents want to read to children, that’s ok. Reading to children still counts as reading. In fact, many teachers encourage parents to read aloud to their young children.

When parents read a book aloud, though, they also should talk about the book. Ask children what’s happening or discuss the characters. Focus on the w/h questions of comprehension: who, what, where, when, why and how.

Parents also can (and should!) use different voices for characters. Read the story with feeling; this will teach children to do the same. In addition, reading emotively also helps children understand the feelings and/or motivations of characters.

When children take the lead in reading, parents can help them out if they stumble. Parents and children also can alternate between who reads and who listens.

Give Children the Choice

Letting children choose their books helps them feel empowered in the reading journey. Not everyone likes the same types of books. Allowing children to choose helps them to figure out what stories they like and which ones they dislike.

While it can be tempting for parents to simply give a child a book and tell them to read it, assigned reading could backfire and actually make children dislike books and stories.

Re-Read Favorite Books

Some children love a certain book and want to read it again and again. Encourage re-reading. When a child reads a book a second, third or 100th time, they could spot something new. In addition, that reading practice might help them quickly identify words and read more fluently.

If children just want to keep reading the same books, parents can negotiate a middle ground. Let children pick two favorite books and two new books to read.

Play Games to Help with Reading

Play can help children learn. When children are struggling to identify letters or learn different reading skills, play reading games.

Parents can download free reading apps that are designed as games to help children with phonics and other literacy skills. Parents might even make their own reading games. Create a comprehension beach ball, play a match game with upper and lowercase letters, etc.

Encourage First-Graders to Practice Sight Words

First graders will typically be required to memorize a list of sight words (probably from the Dolch List). These are words that children need to recognize instantly.

Parents can help them gain mastery of the sight word list by encouraging children to practice the list every day. Some children learn best by practicing with flashcards; parents can make their own cards at home (don’t forget to shuffle them each time).

In addition, parents also can play Sight Word Match with children. Create two cards of each sight word, mix up the cards and place them face down. Then take turns making matches. When children flip over a card, encourage them to say the word.

Talk about Reading

Parents can talk to children about the books that they are reading. This doesn’t have to be about quizzing children, though. Ask questions. Talk about the characters.

Can children explain the book? Do they seem to understand it? Sometimes talking about books and stories can help parents understand a child’s struggle. Then they can take steps to work with children or find other ways to help them.

Visit a Book Destination

Take a book field trip. When talking about a book with children, ask them where the story takes place. Find a museum or someplace nearby that relates to the book or that mirrors a character’s journey. This is called a book field trip.

Children will enjoy walking in the footsteps of a favorite character; the field trip also can introduce them to new ideas or new adventures.

Allow Children to Have a Library Card

Signing up for a library card is a bit of a childhood rite of passage. This card lets children check out books (although parents are still responsible) and could be another ticket to more reading adventures.

Explore the children’s section of the library and let young card holders pick out a few favorite titles.

Be Positive When Providing Help

Some children need more help with reading than others. Parents can feel frustrated when they are trying to help children and their child is still struggling. Be patient. Understand that reading can be hard for some children.

When children struggle to sound out a word, help them break the word into parts. Encourage them to identify the sounds of each letter then blend them together. Be positive and don’t forget to praise children when they master a difficult word.

Use a Reading App

When children are struggling to read, parents might not always know the best way to provide help. Maybe they’ve tried to help children sound out words or work on blends, but the child is still unable to master a concept.

A reading app that is designed with a lesson-based approach could be beneficial for struggling readers. In fact, Readability even includes a built-in AI tutor that is designed to recognize a child’s voice and provide help when a child is struggling with fluency, letter sounds or blends.

At the end of each story, Readability’s AI tutor also asks children questions about what they read. These questions are designed to measure a child’s comprehension. However, if the child answers a question incorrectly, the tutor will show them a passage from the story with clues about the answer. The tutor will also read the section aloud. Then the child can try to answer the question again.

Readability is leveled to ensure that stories are appropriate for each child’s reading ability. Readability  includes nonfiction and fiction stories; children can read about their favorite athletes and meet new characters, too.

Every book in Readability also encourages children to explore. While every story includes a list of vocabulary words, children can tap any word in the story to hear the meaning or hear it used in a sentence. The discovered words are added to a child’s word bank, and they can review these words over and over again.

Not every reading program is a perfect fit for every child. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that encourages children and parents to understand and explore the program’s features and benefits. If Readability is a fit, parents can continue on with a monthly subscription. Interested in trying Readability? Sign up for a free trial today!

Learning to read and becoming a fluent reader is a struggle for many children. While some students might receive additional intervention or assistance through programs at school, others will struggle in silence. Their difficulties may go unnoticed or these struggles might not be severe enough to warrant additional help.

Parents can provide at-home intervention and enrichment when it isn’t readily available in the classroom. Reading apps might vary in design, but most are accessible and inexpensive learning tools. However, not all apps will provide the guidance that children need. The best app to help reading should engage children in learning and in the reading journey.

When searching for the best app to help reading, look for these features:

• Interactive content

• Multi-sensory learning

• Leveled and age-appropriate stories

• A tool to measure progress

• Vocabulary skills review

The Guide to Choosing the Best App to Help Reading

Parents can find reading apps via Google Play or the App Store. However, a simple search for reading apps will result in an extensive list of options. Parents might get overwhelmed by the choices.

To find the best apps for a child’s struggles, parents should try to focus on their child’s particular learning needs and reading struggles. Look for apps that focus on comprehension or on phonics, fluency or decoding skills.

Some apps for reading are designed as games. Parents can find alphabet games or games related to sight words, too. For younger children who need help with these skills, game-based apps could be an entertaining option.

Parents who need an app that offers a lessons-based approach to reading, though, might need to dig a little deeper. Instead of searching for apps via a phone or tablet, use an online search engine (like Google) to find the best apps to help with reading.

These apps might be a bit more expensive. Parents typically need to download the app and then explore the subscription options. A reading app that offers guided instruction could bill monthly, or subscriptions might be set up in a tiered structure.

Before paying for the app or committing to a subscription, parents might want to consider a free trial. Many programs (including Readability) offer a free trial period that lets parents and their child explore all the features of the program.

When touring the programs via a free trial, here are the key features that could be the most beneficial:

Interactive Content

Interactive content allows children to explore stories beyond just the words or the lesson. Interactive features can include different designs and structure; every app might offer its own unique interactions within stories.

Readability, for example, lets children tap a word in any story to hear the definition or to hear the word used in a sentence. This helps children become familiar with words they don’t know and expand their vocabulary.

Multi-Sensory Learning

Some children are visual learners, but others are auditory learners. Does the reading program cater to a child’s unique learning style? Does the program provide multi-sensory learning options?

There are four main learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic (touch). A child may favor one of these particular methods.

With Readability, children read stories aloud. The program includes a built-in AI tutor that learns the child’s voice; the tutor can identify when a child is struggling and offers help when needed. The tutor provides auditory feedback to help the child.

In addition, visual learners who gain understanding through pictures will enjoy the colorful illustrations that help visually narrate the story. Readability also includes a Storytime feature that lets children listen to their favorite Readability stories.

What about kinesthetic learners? With Readability, children can explore by touch, too. They can tap a word to hear its meaning and hear it used in a sentence. Readability encourages children to explore and immerse themselves in the reading journey. All these tools provide multi-sensory learning options for children and their individualized learning style. 

Leveled and Age-Appropriate Stories

Children might struggle to read at the same level as their peers, but this doesn’t mean they want to read books designed and written for a child much younger. When parents are exploring a program via a free trial, they should explore the books that are offered on the app.

High/low books are books that are written for the child’s age and interest and for their appropriate reading level. The ‘high’ refers to high interest, while the low refers to low reading level.

Readability includes books that engage a child’s interest and that are written at the appropriate reading level. Those using Readability can read fun fiction stories and non-fiction books about favorite sports stars, too.

A Tool that Measures Progress

When parents consider paying for a reading program, they will want to be able to monitor their child’s progress to better understand if the program is helping their child succeed and gain fluency.

Explore the tools for parents that are offered by a reading program. For example, Readability provides parents with their own portal called the Progress Dashboard or Parent Dashboard. 

Only parents have access to this portal, and the Dashboard shows all the child’s reading data. Parents can review their child’s reading level, fluency (measured in words read per minute), comprehension and how long the child used Readability.

In addition, Readability also lets parents collate the data into a report that can be sent to the child’s teacher. This feature helps facilitate communication between the school and home.

Vocabulary Skills Review

The reading journey often includes seeing and/or hearing words that are unfamiliar. Does the reading program aid a child’s vocabulary mastery? It should!

All stories via Readability include a vocabulary list. Children also can tap any word within the story to hear the definition or hear it used in a sentence. 

All the vocabulary words—including those discovered in a story—become part of a child’s word bank. They can review all their vocabulary words again and again to better facilitate mastery and understanding.

Reading Programs and Accelerated Reader

A child who uses a reading program to gain fluency and confidence might be reading many books in that app-based structure. This reading can count towards a child’s daily reading minutes, but parents also might wonder if any of the books in a program also are included in a popular classroom-based program: Accelerated Reader.

Many school districts use Accelerated Reader in their classrooms. This program offers quizzes that the child takes after they finish reading a book. Accelerated Reader quizzes help teachers better understand a child’s mastery of comprehension. Children earn points when they score a certain percentile on quizzes, and some teachers offer prizes at specific point levels.

Are the books or stories offered on the program also available via Accelerated Reader? Children might be more motivated to read stories and use the reading app if they can take quizzes and earn points in the classroom.

Stories and books via Readability are included on Accelerated Reader. After children read a book in Readability, they can take the quiz at school and earn points. In this way, Readability helps link the child’s reading engagement with the app with their classroom reading journey.

Parents who are researching the best reading app to help reading can explore Readability with their child. Sign up for a free trial today!

Some children cannot get enough books. These children love to read, and even at a young age, they might have found a favorite genre or a favorite author. For other children, reading is just boring. They might be good readers, capable readers, but they simply don’t want to crack open the book.

There are so many ways to help struggling readers, but parents might be stumped on how to help children who don’t want to read. If parents are about to throw their hands up and yell “Tell me how to help my child with reading when they don’t want to read,” utilizing a few creative tips could make all the difference.

To help a child with reading who doesn’t like reading, parents can:

• Introduce comic books or graphic novels

• Let the listen to books as they read

• Create a rewards system for reading

• Ditch the clock

• Let children choose their own books

While these tips by themselves won’t necessarily help children with reading, here’s how parents can use these strategies to design a positive reading atmosphere for the child that is more conducive to their learning needs.

Why Does the Child Dislike Reading?

Children who struggle to read might shy away from reading because they feel embarrassed about their struggle. Reading might make them feel anxious or nervous. Parents should help them understand that at home no one is judging them. Parents also need to stay positive when guiding a child with these struggles.

Other children might not struggle to read but they have learned to dislike reading because perhaps the act of reading has become equated to a sense of obligation. Reading a book is a form of entertainment, but many children have been taught that they need to check off their 15 minutes a day. Reading every day is homework, not an adventure.

Trying to reverse this attitude could be tough, but it’s not impossible. Parents will have to create their own reading environment at home, and they will have to focus on the fun as they help their child with reading.

Introduce Comic Books and Graphic Novels

Parents, it’s ok to let children ditch the classic books. Let them read comic books or graphic novels at home. Teachers might even encourage children to mix up their reading materials.

Reading is reading. If a child is really interested in a comic book series, parents can foster that love. If the comic book adventure encourages them to read, then they might read more and read often. This is the end goal.

Graphic novels are becoming incredibly popular for children, young adults and adults, too. Explore different graphic novels and find a series or a book that piques a child’s interest. Graphic novels can be humorous or serious; as with all books, though, parents should make sure they choose titles that are at the child’s reading level.

Need some suggestions? Good Housekeeping compiled a list of graphic novel titles for children of different ages.

Let Children Listen and Read

Helping a child with reading can involve complementary learning methods. Some children understand a book better by hearing it. Audiobooks can provide that auditory component that some children need to fully engage and understand the material.

Children can read the book and listen to it simultaneously. Parents also could encourage the child to read a chapter and then listen to the chapter to further facilitate understanding. After reading and listening, parents can talk to children about the book. Ask questions to gauge understanding of the material.

If children struggle to identify what has happened, parents may read the chapter with the child or have them re-read the chapter silently. Then the child can listen to the chapter again. Chunking a chapter or book into sections also could be beneficial. After reading a chunk of text, parents can play that portion via the audiobook.

Create a Reward System

Some children benefit from a rewards system. Children who avoid reading or simply don’t like it might be motivated if there are rewards tied to nightly reading.

A rewards system can focus on reading goals to facilitate a more positive perception about books and reading. For example, parents could sit with their child to discuss achievable reading goals for finishing a chapter book. Perhaps the child needs to read one chapter each night and receives a check mark on a chart.

Children might earn a reward when they read so many days in a row or finish a specific number of pages. Reading goals also could be tied to the number of books a child reads (some library summer reading programs are designed this way).

Prizes also could be tied to extra fun activities or they might even be tied to reading (like a new bookmark). Some parents have a prize bucket filled with pencils, stickers, etc.

Ditch the Clock

While many children are required to read a specific number of minutes per day (maybe 15 to 30), setting a clock or a timer can be a distraction. Some e-readers will track reading minutes, and this can make it easier for parents to track reading time.

If parents are reading to children, they can take a peek at the clock to understand reading minutes. One way for parents to covertly track reading minutes is to schedule a family reading time. The family can gather in the living room to read silently for a designated period of time.

Not only does this show children that parents read, too, but it also sets up a reading habit.

Embrace Freedom of Choice

Everyone has different taste in music, movies and books, too. Some children might start to really dislike reading because parents are picking their books.

Instead of forcing a child to read a specific book, take children to the library and let them choose. Parents should make sure the books are at the appropriate reading level, but children should get to select the books that they want to read.

Letting a child choose their own books can help them discover their favorite authors, interests and genres. Forcing titles on children might further push the notion that reading is assigned homework or just another chore.

Remember, children should be able to choose graphic novels, too. All reading is beneficial!

Use a Reading App to Help Children Enjoy Reading

A reading app like Readability also could help children find more enjoyment in reading while also helping them to become more confident and better readers. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that learns each child’s voice; children read stories aloud via Readability, and, if they struggle, the tutor can identify their difficulties and provide help

Readability encourages engagement during reading time, too. Every story includes a list of vocabulary words, but children can tap any word in a story to hear its definition or to hear it used in a sentence. Each word that a child discovers is added to their vocabulary word bank.

The Storytime feature of Readability lets children listen to their favorite Readability stories. Children can listen to a story anywhere. They also can follow along as the book is narrated.

When children read stories and books in Readability, their reading time is automatically tracked. Parents can access a private portal called the Progress Dashboard that lets them view their child’s reading data; parents can see their child’s reading level, their reading fluency (measured in words read per minute) and see how long they used Readability every day.

Readability is designed for children in preschool through fifth grade, and the program can help children who struggle with fluency, comprehension and decoding, too. Interested in learning more about Readability? Sign up for a free seven-day trial to explore all the features.