Children who struggle to read might avoid reading. Some might even hate to read. Parents might feel like they have to fight with their children to get them to open a book and read their nightly minutes. While most children are assigned reading minutes each week for homework (parents might even need to sign a binder affirming their child has read), the feeling that books are homework could add to the lack of literary appeal.

Reading doesn’t have to be a fight, a battle or an argument. And those books can even be fun! Stop stressing, parents! Here are 50 ideas for making reading fun for struggling readers! Try some, try them all…and stick with what works for your child!

1.   Stop the clock. Instead read with kids. Alternate pages with children. But parents can peek at the clock to ensure that kids hit about half an hour. The difference is that kids can’t know that the reading is being timed.
2.   Read a book of funny poetry. All books count.
3.   Build a reading fort. An easy way to do this is by placing two chairs with the backs facing inward (towards each other). Then drape a blanket over the chairs.
4.   Adopt a reading friend. Maybe this is a new stuffed animal. Or a favorite stuffed animal or toy. Let children read to their friends.
5.   Read to a pet. Or sign children up to read to the pets at a local animal shelter (some offer this type of program).
6.   Cook a recipe for a food from the book.
7.   Or serve up a reading-centric snack. Check out these tasty ideas from Reading Rewards.
8.   Listen to a book on tape while reading.
9.   Watch the movie after reading the book. Some books were transformed into movies. Check out the site Imagination Soup to find out if a child’s favorite book has a movie version.
10. Make a special bookmark to use when reading. This can even include ‘wh’ questions to think about while reading.
11. Or buy a bookmark to use while reading! Bookstores offer many cool bookmarks. Let the child pick their special bookmark.
12. Younger children can visit the library for storytime to hear books read aloud.
13. Sign a child up for a library card. This is a childhood rite of passage!
14. Let children choose their books from the library.
15. For birthdays, take children to a bookstore to pick out a special new book.
16. On a budget? Head to a thrift store to let children pick out a new book. Thrift stores often have a great selection of used books…at really cheap prices!
17. Make a reading craft after finishing a book. This can be a shoebox diorama or even Popsicle stick puppets.
18. Encourage children to write their own book or story. Bind the book with staples. And don’t forget to let them make their own colorful cover.
19. Visit the school’s book fair for new books.
20. Let children write a letter to their favorite author. Many send replies!
21. Inquire about fun reading events or clubs at the school. Some might participate in reading programs that let children earn prizes or even a free kid’s meal at restaurants.
22. Sign up for the summer reading club at the library. Some offer prizes and/or reading club activities.
23. Download reading apps that are also games. Let children play and read.
24. At home, let children see parents reading.
25. Read together as a family. Turn off all devices and schedule a family reading time.
26. Or start a family book club. Everyone reads the same book!
27. Create ‘reading rewards’ at home. Every time a child finishes a certain number of books, they earn a prize. Parents also could reward children with coupons that they can turn in for certain privileges.
28. Praise children for trying when they read aloud…even when they make mistakes.
29. Be mindful of a child’s reading level; sometimes if children read books that are too hard, it might be more of a struggle…and less fun.
30. For books that are beyond a child’s level, parents can read aloud to them.
31. Have a child make a list of their hobbies and anything they enjoy…and use the list to help them find books at the library or at stores.
32. Encourage children to make a disinterested list, too. Have them include books they didn’t like and why. Talk about it.
33. Take a reading field trip. Visit places from or linked to the story or the book.
34. Help them understand reading strategies that can help them as they read. Strategies can include re-reading text or chunking text to make it easier to comprehend.
35. During the holidays, read some favorite holiday stories. Make it a yearly tradition.
36. Let children read comic books.
37. Graphic novels count, too!
38. When reading to younger children, make the stories come alive with fun voices and action!
39. Parents might even encourage children to act out the story.
40. Use e-book readers and download books onto devices (some children might prefer reading on screen).
41. Make a reading comprehension ball with a beach ball. In each section write a question or prompt related to the plot (keep it basic). Toss the ball back and forth with children. Encourage them to answer the question that lands face up.
42. For children who love art, encourage them to draw a scene from the book. Then ask them about it.
43. Give children a reading break. Have they read for the week? Give them a day off.
44. Create a family recommendations list. Have each family member write their list of favorite books (keep them age appropriate). Each individual can choose a book from someone else’s list. Make this a monthly tradition.
45. Set family reading goals. Maybe children really want to read five books each month. Create fun reading challenges and goals for the family. Then decide what the reward will be…maybe a dinner out as a family, a trip, a movie, etc.
46. Create a family reading space. Instead of just one small space for each child, build a cool reading space for the family. This can mean bringing out all the pillows and blankets. Then hang out and read together.
47. Start a reading routine. Is there a time when reading regularly happens? If not…make that time. And make that time something special.
48. Try to be there for a child during reading time…in case they need help. Make sure they understand that they have support.
49. Mix in wordless books. Yes, there are books with only pictures. Now let the child tell the story!
50. Finally…parents…stop NAGGING! Sometimes children hate reading because parents turn it into a chore. Be positive!

Using Reading Apps to Help Struggling Readers

Reading apps like Readability also can help children find the fun in reading. When children struggle, they may view reading negatively. Programs that can help them build confidence and proficiency might also help them understand that reading can be fun…and entertaining.

Reading apps offer different structures and might provide different types of stories and lessons. Readability, for example, can help children who struggle with both proficiency and comprehension. The program features a built-in AI tutor that serves as the instructor for lessons.

With Readability, children read aloud and the tutor learns to recognize the child’s voice. When a child stumbles on a word, the AI tutor will help them correct their mistake. At the end of each story, children will be asked questions by the AI tutor. These questions are focused on a child’s comprehension of the story. A child can only advance to a more difficult reading level if they demonstrate proficiency at their current level.

When parents sign their child up for Readability, they can set their child’s reading level so that lessons are the perfect fit. The program also can help parents determine their child’s reading level, too.

Reading should be fun, even when a child is using a program for enrichment or to help ease their reading struggles. Readability offers colorful illustrations and interactive features to keep children engaged in each book or story.

For parents, program efficacy is important. When a child is struggling in any subject, parents want to know that the resources their child is using provides a benefit. Readability provides parents with their own resource within the program; the Parent Dashboard displays all the reading data associated with their child. On the Parent Dashboard, parents can see how long their child used Readability, how many words they are currently reading per minute, their child’s current reading level and more.

For families that have multiple children who are struggling with reading, parents can use one Readability subscription for up to three children. That means that one price per month can cover three readers. And parents can see data for each child.

Parents can try Readability for free for seven days to better understand the program’s features and to let children explore the stories. Ready to try Readability? Sign up for a free trial today!

A six-year-old may either be in kindergarten or entering first grade. At this age, children are learning to read and may be working on phonics skills such as sound blends. Reading comprehension will likely focus on retelling and the ‘wh’ questions (who, what, when, where and how). Teachers in both kindergarten and first grade may have a list of sight words that students are expected to memorize.

Some six-year-olds may pick up reading quickly, while others may take some time. Reading should be fun for kids, but children struggling to read may need extra reading practice and parental help at home. Parents who want to encourage children to read on their own, though, can try these ‘novel ideas’ to help a 6-year-old struggling with reading.

Sight Word Games

Make a game out of learning sight words. Parents can create their own unique game at home or try one of these game ideas to make learning that list of words a bit more fun.

Sight Word Match

Create two cards of each sight word. Draw an accompanying illustration for words that can be depicted with a picture. For example “I” can include a photo of your child. Mix up all the cards and lay them face down. Take turns trying to make matches. Say the word when each card is flipped to help facilitate word recognition and understanding.

Sight Word Go Fish

For this game parents will need to make four cards for every sight word. The deck might be bigger than a traditional deck, but that’s ok. Shuffle the cards, give each player five to seven cards, and take turns asking for a sight word. The rules of this game are the same as Go Fish. If the player asks for a card from another player, and that player doesn’t have the card s/he requested, then the player has to take a card from the main deck.

Sight Word Scavenger Hunt

This game can be played anywhere, but it’s especially fun to play during errands. Give your child a paper with their list of sight words and have them hunt for the words. When the word is discovered, have your child mark it off their list. Words can be discovered on signs, on food labels, in advertisements, etc.

Sight Word Sort

This game is a bit of a hybrid of a cornhole game. Parents can buy buckets or containers (even old coffee tins would work) and label them with a sight word. For every sight word bucket, parents will need to make a sight word ball or bean bag. Children will need to stand behind a marked area (parents can use a string or ruler for children to stand behind). Then they need to try to toss the sight word ball/beanbag into the corresponding bucket. They should read the word on the ball/beanbag before tossing.

Reading Races Can Help Children Practice Reading Fluency

For some children, reading fluency can be a struggle. Children may stumble on words or just might not be confident or comfortable reading out loud. Parents can help children practice fluency by holding reading races.

At school, teachers may ask children to read a paragraph aloud to find how many words per minute they can read fluently. This is an easy lesson for home enrichment, too. Parents can download age-appropriate paragraphs via sites online or they can just ask their child’s teacher for worksheets.

Parents should set a stopwatch and instruct children to read. After one minute, parents should tell students to stop. Parents can then look over the paragraph to see how far their child was able to read. Parents can work with children to help them decipher and sound out difficult words. Then ask the child to read the paragraph again.

Reading Comprehension Games and Activities

Reading comprehension may be a struggle for some 6-year-olds. In kindergarten and first grade, comprehension may focus more on the ‘wh’ questions related to the book, and children also may need to be able to summarize the plot.

Comprehension becomes more difficult and abstract in later elementary years. Children will be expected to infer meaning, predict what might happen next and put themselves in the shoes of the character. Comprehension becomes less black and white and more about reading between the lines. Metaphors, similes and character comparisons also become part of the analysis of a book or story.

Help children work on comprehension using these games and activities at home.

Comprehension Catch

Make a comprehension ball with a beach ball. In each section, write a question or a prompt about the book or story. Toss the ball to the child, and they will need to answer the question on the segment that faces up. Parents can buy comprehension balls online or use online resources to find ideas for section prompts. Parents also can create different balls to work on comprehension related to characters and plot. Many websites and blogs (and Pinterest, too!) offer examples for making comprehension balls.

Comprehension Plays

Become the character! Get the family involved in a play about the book. Help your child recreate a scene or maybe even the whole story via a play. Create costumes or just make homemade puppets to stage the play. For puppets, have children draw the characters on cardstock. Cut them out and paste them on popsicle sticks. Help children write a script for the play. Parents may need to write the script, but children can dictate. This may help them retell the story, too.

Comprehension Cornhole

This is yet another version of a cornhole game. Parents should make a large mat using poster boards. On this mat, draw six large circles in different colors in a vertical line. In each circle, write a different comprehension prompt. For six-year-olds, parents might want to stick with those ‘wh’ questions. Have children toss a beanbag on the mat/board. Children should answer the prompt where the beanbag lands. Pinterest has a similar type of game using sight words. Parents can create their own unique board, too.

Enriching Activities

Some activities might not directly help a child’s reading, but they could make them enjoy the reading experience in a unique way. Try these activities to immerse your child’s senses into the reading journey.

Cook a Reading Recipe

Find food in a book the child is reading and prepare it at home. This could be something simple or a unique food. Eating a food that the character enjoys is a fun way to step into the character experience.

Go on a Reading Field Trip

Visit a site or location from a book. While parents might not be able to plan a trip to the exact location in the book, think of a similar destination or a place related to the book. For example, if the child is reading a book about dinosaurs, then take a trip to a history museum or science center. The Association of Independent School Librarians offers a great write up related to reading field trips as they relate to history; the books mentioned aren’t for six-year-old reading levels, but the post can help parents of younger children get some ideas on how to create these types of trips.

Listen to the Story

Some children might like to listen to the story as they read. This might help them hear the pronunciation of a difficult word or maybe better understand the inflection of a character’s emotion. Parents may try letting their child listen to a book on tape while reading.

Watch the Movie

Watching the big screen adaptation of a book can be an interesting experience. Some movies based on books might follow the book to the letter. Others veer into a different direction entirely. Watch the movie after reading the book. Encourage children to spot the differences and talk about how the book and the movie compare to each other. How were they similar? How were they different? Ask the child if they liked the book or the movie better.

More Ways to Help a Six-Year-Old Struggling with Reading

While games, activities and out-of-the box enriching sensory experiences can all help children in different ways, sometimes parents just want to find an easy way to help their child. Helping a child might not be simple; some children take time to master reading. Other children may need more enrichment to meet benchmark standards.

Parents who are concerned about their child’s reading struggles might reach out to the child’s teacher. Additional testing or evaluations may be necessary. Or a teacher might be able to provide advice on how to help a child at home.

Parents can work with children at night by reading with them. Parents can help children work on sounding out words and answering the key ‘wh’ questions related to understanding. Children should read books that are at the appropriate reading level—teachers can help parents understand how to identify reading level.

A reading app like Readability also could help a six-year-old struggling with reading. Readability provides a built-in AI tutor that helps children as they read. The tutor corrects pronunciation errors and will ask questions at the end of each story related to comprehension. Children don’t progress to a higher level until they demonstrate mastery at their current level. Books are never too easy or too hard, and content is engaging with interactive features and colorful illustrations.

With a reading app, parents are never in the dark about their child’s progress. Readability provides a Parent Dashboard that displays the child’s reading level, their progress, their time spent on the app as well as other literacy data. In addition, parents also can send literacy reports from the app to the child’s teacher.

Parents interested in using a reading app for their child, however, should be sure to understand billing and pricing structure. Some apps are billed monthly, but others could schedule payments differently. Parents also should be sure that the app fits their child’s needs. Readability helps children with phonics, fluency and comprehension. The app also can be used through sixth grade, so it will grow with younger students.

Ready to try Readability? Sign up for a free trial today!

Families feeling antsy during the pandemic have been renting recreational vehicles (RVs) and campers as a means to seek out safe adventures in nature. Fox Business reported that the company Outdoorsy, which rents RVs online, was projected to hit $1 billion by the end of second quarter 2021.

While RV rentals are booming, families also could be hitting the road in their own cars for extended trips. Keeping kids entertained can be a challenge, though. Need ideas? Here are the best road trip activities and apps for the journey…including the best reading apps for struggling readers.

Road-Trip Survival Pack: Prepare for Boredom!

Road trips can be a few hours or several days. Families might be road-tripping across the country and stopping at national parks along the way. No matter how long the trip lasts, kids will eventually get bored. Books, handheld games and music may only keep their attention for so long. Eventually, parents will hear the dreaded “Are we there yet?” Or perhaps siblings may start really annoying each other, leading to a full-blown battle royale in the backseat.

Parents can prep for highway miles with a road trip survival pack. This isn’t survival in the case of first aid kits, although parents should pack one of those, too. A road trip survival pack includes a variety of games and snacks and the aim is for parents not to have to keep peering in the back seat and proclaiming: “Don’t make me pull this car over!”

Snacks

Parents can pack two coolers. A big cooler can be kept in the trunk or back storage area with lots of drinks and other items. A small, portable cooler can be placed in the backseat for easy access. During rest stops, parents can transfer items from the big cooler to the smaller one if items are beginning to run low.

So what should parents pack? Whatever kids like! Some parents opt for healthy items like string cheese, fruit, nuts, etc. Others may include snack mixes, chips, fruit snacks or other animal crackers. Bottled water is always a safe and smart choice for drinks. If water spills, parents don’t have to worry about stains or sticky messes. Fruit juices, milk or soda, however, can cause quite a mess in the backseat. Nothing smells worse than sour milk, so if that jug does spill and doesn’t get properly cleaned, the rest of the journey could get quite stinky!

If parents pack crackers or other crumbling items, they may opt to also pack a travel mini vacuum. Or stop by a car wash for the occasional back seat cleanup (depending on the length of the trip).

Games

Kids may get bored easily. Parents can pack a variety of games to mix up the fun. Many stores include travel size versions of popular board games, or parents can hunt for these games at thrift stores.

There are also games geared towards travel that are ideal for road trips. These games may encourage kids to find objects throughout the trip.

Activity Packs

Color books and crayons also could be fun for kids during trips. Children who love art also might want a sketch pad, too. Activity books include a variety of word games, connect-the-dot pages and other activities. These big books could be fun for kids to work through during the trip.

Get Sculpting

Depending on the age of children, parents can pack some modeling clay and cookie cutters. Kids can create shapes and figures during the trip. However, parents might want to make sure that moldable substances are easy to clean. Some are notorious for getting stuck to carpeting or just being a massive mess.

Cards

Older kids might like playing card games in the back seat. Some card games are actually designed for road trips and may ask children to hunt for something on the trip. Parents can research card games specific to travel.

Road Trip Bingo

Play road trip bingo! This game encourages kids to find things on the drive to mark off their bingo card. Parents can download cards online or make their own…personalize the game for the trip! Download a few cards at the site Crazy Little Projects.

Games that Are Fun for Parents, Too!

No road trip survival kit is complete without games or entertainment ideas that are fun for parents, too! Some of these ideas/games don’t require anything but participation. Play these family games to keep everyone talking!

Sleepy Stories

Buzzfeed offers a list of road-trip games that are fun for adults, but a few also could be fun for children, too. The game “While You Were Sleeping” encourages road trippers to make up a crazy story while the person is sleeping. The idea is to keep adding to the story. When the person wakes up, they hear the story from the passengers and have to decide if it was real.

I Spy

One of the easiest road trip games, I Spy is all about finding an object, describing it and seeing who can guess what is spied. Everyone gets a turn!

License Plate Hunt

Going on a cross-country drive? Try to find a license plate from every state! Keep track of all the states the family finds on the road, in parking lots and elsewhere on the trip. Which state has the coolest license plate?

20 Questions

Everyone gets a turn to answer and ask 20 questions. Keep this game going by selecting a person to answer 20 questions from every passenger in the car. Or alternate participants. Children can learn a lot about their parents and vice versa. Get creative with questions!

Technology & Devices: Fun and Education

This is the age of technology, and many children play on devices, phones and handheld game consoles. Pack technology for optional entertainment. With handheld game consoles, choose a few games to take on the road. When you stop for a meal or at the destination, though, make sure to place all devices out of sight…don’t tempt thieves!

Parents can download a few new apps and games on devices and phones specifically for the road trip. Load up the device with a variety of games and entertainment options for kids. If the data plan allows, parents also may include streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.

Apps also can be a mix of entertainment and educational options. Word games can be a fun way for older children to perfect spelling and vocabulary while also following the story plot of a game. Math games can help children master multiplication facts.

Parents can let children choose a few games to download before the road trip, too. Parents also could stipulate that the games can’t be played until the family hits the road. That way, kids aren’t halfway through the game before the trip begins!

Reading on the Trip

Books and reading apps also could keep kids occupied during the journey. Make a trip to the library or the book store and let kids pick out a few books to read on the road. Allowing children to choose their books may ensure that they like what they’re going to read and that the story interests them.

For children who struggle to read, parents also could download reading apps to use during the road trip. Parents can research reading apps to find the right one for their child. The best reading apps for struggling readers should address their individual struggles. Some may focus on phonics, others may be more helpful for reading comprehension. Reading apps also could help with both phonics and comprehension.

So what are the best reading apps for struggling readers? Again, the best reading app is subjective; every child is unique. Parents can look for apps that are research-based, that include immersive content, colorful illustrations and interactive features and stories that progress as the child shows mastery. Parents also will want to know if the program is beneficial; ideally, a reading app should provide parents with a synopsis of their child’s progress and reading data. Readability ticks off all these boxes!

Readability helps children with both phonics and reading comprehension. Readability even includes a built-in AI tutor that can help correct pronunciation and ask children questions to test for understanding. For apps like Readability that include auditory feedback, parents will want to pack headphones or earphones. Otherwise the entire car could get a reading lesson!

All reading can be beneficial. So parents also could pack magazines and comic books for kids, too. Mix up the reading materials so kids have a variety of options. Audio books also can be entertaining for everyone in the car. Just make sure to choose a book that is appropriate for all ages…and that interests the entire family. It might be fun for the family to vote on the audio books to download for the trip!

Not sure about what books would be appropriate for all ages? Audible includes a list of books that everyone can enjoy! Choose the titles that the family will love!

Other Entertainment Options

Some vehicles allow for phones and devices to plug into the entertainment console of the car. This allows music to be streamed via the car. Include a travel playlist with the family’s favorite tunes. To keep it fair, let everyone create their own playlist. Listen to each list during the journey!

Cars also could include television screens in the backseat, and children might be able to pack their favorite movies to watch on the road. This could help keep them entertained for long periods, and movies could be ideal during cross-country trips. Just remember to pack headphones or earphones (if applicable).

Road trips may be a fun and budget-friendly travel option for families craving new scenery. There are so many ways to ensure that kids stay entertained during these trips, and parents can pack a road trip survival kit with snacks, games and lots of entertainment options. Of course, when traveling during the pandemic, don’t forget masks and hand sanitizer…and be sure to social distance!

First grade is often where your child’s reading foundation is developed thoroughly. This is an essential grade for your child to establish their reading level and progress. However, sometimes children might struggle as they try to advance their reading skills. If you find that your child is struggling with reading, you can help them by trying these 1st grade reading activities for struggling readers.

What reading skills should my 1st grader have?

Your first grader is definitely a full-fledged reader now! They already have many reading skills that they are continuing to improve and also acquiring new reading skills.

By the end of first grade, your child will have learned 150 sight words. They also should be familiar with many one syllable words and high-frequency words.

In first grade, they should be able to understand the basic structure and features of a sentence.

By now, they are also able to talk about what they have been reading and be able to answer content questions. Your child should also be able to understand the differences between fiction and non-fiction books and texts.

If you find that your child is struggling with any of these reading skills, they might need some more practice or intervention to help them get to their appropriate reading level.

How often should my 1st grader be reading? 

When it comes to practicing their reading skills, first graders on average should be reading at least 10 minutes every day.

This might not seem like a lot of time but even just 10 minutes of reading time can help make a massive improvement in their reading skills. Make the 10 minutes a daily habit for your child like brushing their teeth.

Also, while 10 minutes is a good average number for all readers, struggling readers might be overwhelmed with anything more than that.

Some children might be hesitant or resist reading every day at first, but there are ways to make reading fun and an activity they look forward to doing.

How do you make reading fun for struggling readers?

Reading can be difficult for some first graders. It is important to be patient but also encouraging with your struggling reader. Here are some activities to make reading fun for them to get them to read every day:

• Read as a family – Reading as a family not only creates strong bonds, but it also helps to give your child a model for good reading habits. When they see you prioritize reading, they are more likely to value it and prioritize it as well.

You can schedule 10 minutes for everyone to read their own books together or you can choose a book as a family to read aloud.

• Read on TV – Using television as a reading tool might seem counterintuitive, but it is a great way to get your child to read without even knowing it!

When your child is watching television turn on the subtitles so that they can watch and read at the same time. This is a strategy commonly used with students learning a second language to practice both reading and listening skills.

• Visit a library – Get your child excited to read by going on a couple “reading field trips” such as going to a library. You can tour your local library and have your child pick out a few books to take home.
• Visit a museum – Another great “reading field trip” option is to visit a museum. Museums often have a ton of great reading practice opportunities, and you can also prep your child before the visit by reading an article or story about the museum.
• Talk to an author – What better way to get your child about reading a book than by talking to the person that wrote it?

While you might not be able to talk to J.K. Rowling, many children’s books authors have meet ups at local bookstores or you can ask to talk to them virtually through Zoom.

Websites like Cameo also have some authors offering to record personalized videos, so you can have an author create a video just for your child!

• Create reading goals – Reading goals can help your child see the progress they are making and helps to keep them motivated. You can help them visualize and meet these goals by creating a reading goal chart or tracker and display it somewhere they will always see it.
  
• Use a reading app – Technology is your greatest tool to help with your struggling readers. Try using reading apps such as  Readability which acts like a private reading tutor for your child. They can get reading help whenever and wherever they need it!
• Get them to write – Reading and writing are closely related language skills. Often, good readers make good writers, and good writers make good readers.

You can encourage your child to practice their writing and reading skills by making comic books or short stories together then read them as their daily reading material.

First grade is a critical time for young readers to improve their reading skills and build new ones. Using activities and tools such as Readability can make reading fun and interactive for struggling or reluctant readers. Encouraging your child to read every day can help them to become a better reader and actually learn to enjoy reading.

No parent wants their child to fall behind, but unfortunately, some children will struggle to develop critical reading skills in elementary school. The best way for your child to improve their reading skills is to practice. After all, practice makes perfect. But what should they read? Follow these tips to find the right books for struggling readers:

Stick to Topics of Interest

Falling behind in reading is frustrating and disheartening, which is why struggling readers are often reluctant readers. Now is not the time to try to get them to develop new interests. To keep your child motivated, choose books on topics that they already like.

Reading books about topics that they are interested in will keep them engaged and help them build their confidence. Once they are more confident in their reading abilities, they may be open to exploring a wider variety of reading materials.

Take the “High/Low” Approach

Many experts recommend using the “high interest, low vocabulary” approach when looking for the right books for your struggling reader. This means finding a book at an appropriate reading level that is about a topic that interests your child.

The best high/low books will have limited vocabulary and simple sentence structure, but compelling characters and interesting plots. Ideally, a high/low book should not make your child feel like they are reading a “baby book.” For example, if your child is in 3rd grade but reading at a 1st grade level, it’s important to look for a book that doesn’t make them feel as if they are reading a book written for 1st graders.

By using this approach, parents can find books at an appropriate reading level that their kids will be excited about reading.

Use the Five Finger Test

Another way to determine if a book is a good fit for your struggling reader is to use the five finger test. Here’s how it works:

1. If your child finds a book that they would like to read, ask them to flip to a random page in the middle of the book.

2. Instruct your child to read a passage from this random page aloud.

3. Listen closely as your child reads. Hold up one finger every time your child mispronounces a word.

4. If you did not raise a finger, the book is ideal for independent reading, which is reading your child does on their own. If you raised more than five fingers, the book is too challenging for your child to practice with. But if you raised between one to five fingers, the book is ideal for instructional reading, which is reading your child does to improve their reading skills.

Use this simple test to quickly find books that are at the right level for your child.

Choose the Right Genre

Some genres are better for struggling readers than others. For example, reading a mystery novel requires strong comprehension skills, so this genre is not ideal for struggling readers.

The best genres for struggling readers are graphic novels and non-fiction books. Graphic novels typically have eye-catching illustrations and exciting plotlines that will keep kids engaged. Non-fiction books also have detailed illustrations that make understanding the text much easier. Plus, non-fiction books are usually written with short, simple sentences that won’t intimidate or overwhelm struggling readers.

Look For Context Clues

If your child is a struggling reader, chances are they will encounter a number of words that they aren’t familiar with while reading a new book. They will need help decoding these words in order to comprehend the text, which is why you should look for books that provide strong context clues.

For example, select books with detailed illustrations that your child can use to make sense of a confusing or difficult passage. Learning how to use context clues to extract meaning from text is important, so this will give your child an opportunity to develop this crucial reading skill.

Turn to the Readability App

There’s no need to spend hours at the library or bookstore looking for the right books for your struggling reader. Instead, download the Readability app on your smartphone or tablet.

Readability is the only smart reading and comprehension app that your child can use anytime, anywhere. The app will start by introducing your child to content that is one level lower than their reading level. This will build their confidence and motivate them to keep reading. As they improve their phonics and comprehension skills, the app will automatically increase the difficulty of the content they read.

Your search for the perfect books for your struggling reader is over—download the Readability app to start your free 7-day trial today.

The typical six-year-old is usually either in kindergarten or first grade (depending on their birthday and district mandates). Reading skills at age six can vary wildly—some children are proficient readers, others are working on sight words and early literacy skills. For this reason, some parents wonder if their 6 year old is struggling with reading.

If you are lying in bed at night fretting that “my 6 year old is struggling with reading!” try not to stress too much. Here’s how parents may be able to better determine if a child really is struggling:

Grade-Level Benchmarks

Schools should have grading rubrics in place to help parents understand grade-level expectations. In elementary school, grades could be letters or numbers. With the number system, children are usually graded as ‘above grade level” (4), proficient/at-grade level (3), partial mastery (2) and area of concern (1). These explanations could differ per district, however. The letter system is a bit easier for parents to understand; A through F provides a bit more definition and less ambiguity for parents. A child with a C, for example, is still scoring average.

These rubrics and how a child measures provides a glimpse into subject mastery. Typically, schools will provide a progress report in the middle of a quarter to help parents better understand their child’s progress and their struggles. Scores and reports are one way that a parent can understand a child’s reading ability.

Standardized Tests

Many districts implement standardized tests in reading and math to better understand students’ progress and mastery in these subjects. These tests may be administered throughout the school year to ensure that children are progressing appropriately and meeting grade-level standards.

Parents should receive scores from these tests; typically, scores will show a percentile rank and how a child compares to peers in the same grade. These tests can vary, however, and if a child is ill, tired or simply just having a bad day, their scores could be affected.

If a child is consistently scoring low or seems to be struggling to read at home, too, parents may want to request a meeting with the teacher and discuss options or possible interventions. While a single low score may be a blip, consistently struggling on reading tests could warrant more attention.

Struggles at Home

Parents may notice struggles at home before a teacher picks up on an issue. Maybe a child fails to grasp what is read to them or has issues sounding out words. When reading with a child, any struggles should be noted.

That being said, parents should not expect children to read perfectly and without error. Reading—like all skills—takes time and practice. Yes, for some children reading comes naturally…and easily. For other children, though, reading requires nightly practice and some parent involvement.

How to Work on Reading Skills at Home

All kids should read for fun. Whether a parent reads to a child or if a child reads independently, books and stories should be encouraged for entertainment. Yet, reading also has to be a skill that is mastered so that children can read to learn.

Play Reading Games

Six-year-olds are still at the age where memorizing sight words may be part of the curriculum. Make flashcards to help children quickly identify these words. Or play sight word reading games. When reading a book or story, have children spot all the sight words for a scavenger hunt activity. Parents also can make Bingo cards and play Sight Word Bingo. Get creative to help children embrace a reading adventure!

Listen to a Book

Children can listen to an audiobook while reading or following along in a book or story. Hearing the story may help them better understand what is being read or learn to decipher difficult words. Some children are auditory learners, and listening may be a better way to absorb information.

Talk about the Story

Encourage children to read a level-appropriate book aloud. Help correct any errors they make while reading, and ask questions about the plot and characters, too. Focus on the ‘w/h’ questions of comprehension: who, what, when, where, why…and how.

Let Children Choose Their Books

Sometimes kids don’t like to read, because they simply don’t like the book or story. To encourage children to read, allow them to choose their own book. If you want to encourage independent reading, be sure to choose books on their level.

Use a Reading App

For parents who want instructional help for the child, a reading app like Readability may provide the support they need to increase their reading skills. Readability provides leveled content that advances in difficulty as a child masters each level; lessons are never too easy or too difficult. Stories offer interactive features and colorful illustrations to keep children immersed in the reading experience. Parents can track their child’s progress via the Parent Dashboard, which allows parents to view time spent on the app as well as the child’s reading level.

Parents should feel confident that an app is the right fit for their child’s individual needs, and Readability offers a seven-day free trial that allows parents and their child to explore the app’s content and features. Ready to try Readability? Sign up for a free trial today.