Emotions are important tools in the human experience that are often overlooked. They are the fuel that motivates us, and connects our thoughts to our actions. Without emotion, we would never set out to achieve, attempt to protect ourselves from disaster, or form bonds with loved ones and friends. Yet we know very little about our emotions and are even taught to dismiss them in favor of rational thought.

The truth is that emotions are also a biological process of our brain. There are no emotions that are wrong or bad, but for some, emotions are difficult to control, especially if we don’t understand what they are. Being able to name our emotional experiences helps us process and manage the emotions we endure. This is the foundation of emotional literacy.

Children’s brains are rapidly developing already, as a natural part of their growth. Teaching children about their emotions can help them on the path to more productive and satisfying lives. It helps to understand the physiological processes that originate emotions, so we know that they are a normal, universal experience. This enables us not only to understand ourselves, but to relate and be compassionate to others.

What Is Emotional Literacy?

Emotional literacy, also called emotional intelligence, is the ability to recognize, name, and manage emotions. This sounds simple but has been very effective in teaching kids social skills, because noting these emotions in the self makes it easier to identify the emotions of others. Children with high emotional literacy can manage their own behavior, leading to less bullying and more getting along. Children with low emotional literacy often act out, get frustrated or disappointed easily, and may even bully their peers.

When people learn emotional literacy, they show certain qualities that set the foundation for success as adults. This is why it is so important to ensure children learn these skills at a young age.

What are the signs of someone who is emotionally literate?

• Recognition of a regulated emotional state and how it feels
• Methods to attain said state
• The experience to identify emotions that may dysregulated and mitigate them
• The skill to express emotions productively
• The ability to identify emotional states in others 
• The capacity to empathize with others

Emotional Literacy and the Brain

Emotions and behavior may fall under the discipline of psychology, but emotional literacy is a biological process. The brain is made up of various parts that perform functions which contribute to thinking, reacting, and managing emotions. Emotional literacy is a result of paying attention to how these functions work together to translate thoughts and emotions into actions.

Highways in the Brain

Training your brain helps develop emotional literacy. Such training can be thought of in the same way as learning a sport or martial art, or weight lifting. Just as these activities build reflexive actions and muscle, training the mind helps create and reinforce neural pathways in the brain.

These pathways form naturally as we learn anything, including bad habits and negative self-perceptions. The brain is always building these pathways, so training the mind guides these neural highways to constructive outcomes that include resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. Disciplines such as martial arts, yoga, or meditation can help build these “muscles” in the mind so that emotionally literate responses come naturally to an individual.

Where Feelings Come From

Parts of the brain also regulate emotions and relay neural impulses to the rest of the body. Two of them are always fighting for dominance in times of strong emotional stimulus. Emotions are our brain’s response to our experiences so we know how to survive. Thoughts trigger feelings, which then become actions/behaviors. Emotional literacy is the trained reaction of turning those feelings into productive and appropriate behaviors.

The amygdala triggers our responses to danger, giving rise to feelings such as fear or anger. It is a part of the limbic system, and the entire system activates to decide how to respond. The limbic system releases powerful hormones through the body, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which are fuel for the body’s behavioral reactions to stimuli.

On the other side of the brain is the prefrontal cortex, which is a complex piece of the brain that is responsible for higher thinking and executive function. Since these functions take place in a different part of the brain from our emotional and physiological reactions, it is necessary to train the brain to critically think about our reactions to things before we react. This way, we can align our actions with our thoughts.

Steps to Process Emotions 

Emotions are never wrong. They are how we can tell what around us is safe, and what around us should be avoided. Everyone has them, and the brain goes through the same processes when an emotion arises.

• Experience the emotion

An event takes place, and we perceive it with one of our senses. Within microseconds, our brain assesses the situation and tries to determine if we are under threat. While this happens almost instantly, messages are traveling up and down the neural pathways all over your brain.

• Process the feeling

One the stimulus is experienced, the brain makes a decision about how we need to respond. How we emotionally feel about an event is based on this decision. We may get frightened, feel the urge to laugh, or be compelled to hug someone.

• Express it

How we show our emotions affects the world around us. Inappropriate tantrums can break objects such as toys, furniture, or walls. Hitting other people is never appropriate in normal social situations, nor is aggressive behavior. People and other creatures may have boundaries that make even positive behaviors like hugging problematic. Emotional literacy ensures we recognize what actions are appropriate responses, no matter the intensity of our feelings.

Stress and Emotional Literacy

When our emotions are excited to intensity, this is considered stress. Some stress, called eustress, is stimulated by positive events, like excitement over a wedding or graduation. Dealing with negative events such as financial disaster or death in the family is called distress. The amount of stress we can handle without adverse effects is called our allostatic load. Emotional literacy helps us recognize when our allostatic load is overwhelming.

There are physical sensations that occur alongside certain emotions. Anger usually makes us tense our muscles, while anxiety might make us feel sick. Joy may be experienced as a rush of energy. Even our minds may feel excited and active, or cloudy and dark. Recognizing these signs can inform us how best to manage our emotions by managing their symptoms.

Managing the Emotional Body

Running along our spine is the vagus nerve, which has been associated with high emotional literacy. The vagus nerve activates the activity in our body that calms us, called the parasympathetic nervous system. The vagus nerve is directly connected to the brain and soothes activity from the amygdala, such as the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

Studies of various types of meditation, such as mindfulness and compassion practices, show that vagus nerve activity is effective in managing stress, pain, and anger. Deep breathing and focused attention have positive effects on the vagus nerve, which in turn affects the brain.

Emotional Literacy Starts with the Brain

Our entire body is connected to our brain through a variety of physiological systems. Our emotions are part of the functions of the brain and an important part of our survival. An understanding of the processes our brain goes through when we experience emotions allows us to observe these emotions more objectively and learn about them. Emotional literacy starts with this knowledge, and pervades into every area of life, well into adulthood.

Reading struggles are not uncommon. However, the longer a child struggles with reading, the harder it might be for them to catch up to grade-level benchmarks. Unfortunately, some children never reach grade-level expectations.

No child is a statistic, yet these five literacy statistics highlight the importance of early intervention for those with reading struggles:

• More than half of U.S. adults read below a sixth grade level.

• In 2014, 2/3 of fourth graders didn’t read at a proficient level

• There is a 90 percent chance that a child who doesn’t read well in first grade will continue to struggle in fourth grade.

• Less than 40 percent of students graduate from high school reading proficiently (or above)

• According to Edweek (in relation to the pandemic), “More than 1 in 3 children in kindergarten through grade 3 have little chance of reading on grade level by the end of the school year without major and systemic interventions.”

Reading Levels as Adults

Parents view their children as children, yet childhood reverberates into adulthood. More than half of adults can’t read at a sixth grade level. What this shows is stunted reading growth and children who were never able to catch up.

When children begin to show signs of reading struggles, the child might not struggle enough to receive additional help or qualify for reading programs. This doesn’t mean that parents cannot intervene.

The sooner a parent identifies their child’s reading difficulties, the easier it might be for them to find help or resources to boost the child’s confidence and proficiency. For parents, this might mean researching different enrichment options and tutors or simply being the squeaky wheel.

When parents know their child is having trouble, they can reach out to their child’s teacher to find out the best ways to provide help. Teachers likely already know the child is struggling.

Even if the child cannot qualify for reading intervention programs, some teachers could provide helpful hints for parents to provide help at home. In addition, parents need to understand their child’s specific reading struggles.

Children who have difficulty with decoding need different tools than a child who struggles with comprehension. Parents who have a limited budget could find free apps that provide reading help via Google Play or the App Store.

Free apps might be designed as games, and parents might need to review the app to ensure that it will help their child.

Only 1/3 of Fourth Graders Read Proficiently

Fourth grade could be a turning point for young readers. At this grade level, statistics show that only about 1/3 of students are reading at a proficient level.

If parents discover that their child isn’t proficient, it isn’t too late to provide help. If a child is reading far below grade level, they could qualify for intervention via the school.

Parents who notice struggles with their child also could make an appointment with the pediatrician. The doctor could recommend that the child see other specialists to rule out any medical conditions, learning disorders or even issues related to hearing.

Many issues could cause learning struggles and reading difficulties. Parents can reach out to their child’s teacher to ask about intervention processes, too.

When a Child Struggles to Read in First Grade

Parents might realize that their first grader is falling behind in reading proficiency. Understanding a child’s struggles early enables parents to provide outreach and support to guide the child’s struggle and help them gain proficiency.

Most teachers (or schools) send home reading reports periodically to help parents understand their child’s reading level. These reports can help parents see their child’s reading level and if it correlates to grade-level expectations.

Parents should keep in mind, though, that children also read at a different pace. If an older sibling was a proficient or accelerated reader, parents might believe this is the norm. They might perceive that their child is struggling when, really, the child is simply on grade-level.

In first grade, parents can read to children every day and encourage children to read aloud, too. Ask questions during reading to help gauge understanding. Play games to help children memorize and master sight words. In addition, find books that are appropriate for first graders.

If a child is struggling with sounds and blends, there are a number of apps and games that can be used to help them learn. Do a quick search on Google Play or the App Store to find games and apps related to phonics and letter identification.

Less than Half of High School Grads Read Proficiently (or Above)

When less than half of high school students graduate reading proficiently (or above), parents might wonder why and how this could happen. Every student has a story, and sometimes when children fall behind in reading it’s difficult for them to ever catch up.

Struggles vary with every child. The best way that parents can help young readers to read proficiently and hit grade-level benchmarks is to follow their progress closely and guide their reading as needed.

Parents should be sure that children are reading books that aren’t too difficult. In addition, parents should let children choose their own books.

When children have the power of choice, they may perceive reading a bit more positively. Parents can let children read a variety of different materials. All reading is beneficial; children can read comic books, newspapers, graphic novels and even magazines.

Encourage daily reading, but parents also should remember that they are their child’s greatest advocate and mentor. If parents don’t read, children might wonder why they need to read.

Host family reading times and encourage everyone in the family to grab a book, magazine, etc. Show that reading is valuable and important.

Advocacy also is key to helping children. Again, some children might not immediately qualify for enrichment or intervention via the school. Parents might need to be squeaky to try to push for help.

Unfortunately, though, some children might not struggle enough to get the help they need at school. Enrichment and additional reading help might fall to parents.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Literacy

Edweek reported that a third of students needed major intervention to help them read at benchmark levels because of the impact of the pandemic. Many children might have struggled with virtual learning, quarantines and other issues related to classroom instruction during the pandemic.

If parents have realized that their child fell behind during virtual learning or other pandemic-related issues, they are not alone. Helping a child could require more back-and-forth communication with the school, and parents also could find ways to help guide their child’s reading at home.

How a Reading Program Could Help Struggling Readers

Parents might have limited resources available to help their child gain reading proficiency. Not all parents can afford to hire a tutor. However, parents could use a reading program at home that is designed to guide reading instruction.

Readability can be used from preschool through fifth grade and helps children who struggle with decoding, comprehension and/or vocabulary. The program includes a built-in AI tutor that is programmed with voice-recognition software.

Children read books aloud through the program. In this way, the AI tutor learns the child’s voice and can identify reading struggles. When the tutor detects the child struggling to decode a word, it will intervene and provide help.

At the end of every story, the tutor also asks questions about the book to better understand the child’s comprehension of what they read. If a child answers a question incorrectly, the tutor will show them a section of the story that provides clues. The tutor also reads this aloud, and the child has another chance to answer the question.

Readability also includes a list of vocabulary words to accompany every book. In addition, children can tap any word in a story to hear the meaning or hear it used in a sentence. The discovered words are added into the full list of vocabulary words that the child can access and review at any time.

Parents who need to help their child gain reading confidence and proficiency can sign up for a free trial of Readability to better understand if the program is a fit for their child. The seven-day free trial provides children with access to stories and the AI tutor. Sign up today to begin exploring Readability.

Children in elementary school could struggle with reading for a number of reasons. Phonics/phonetics might impede a child’s ability to decode words and read fluently. Other children can struggle with understanding the story; they may have trouble retelling or identifying the answers to basic comprehension questions.

Children who struggle to read could avoid reading. However, some children begin to perceive reading as homework, avoid it and then perhaps fall behind. When a child isn’t reading at grade-level, parents can use a reading app to help them at home. What is the best app for struggling readers? Look for these features to uncover the best app:

• Read-aloud lesson format

• Comprehension tools and assessments

• Leveled books

• Immersive and interactive components

• Engaging content

• Vocabulary enrichment

• Audiobook options

How are Apps Priced?

Parents might be used to searching for apps via the App Store or Google Play. Many of these apps are low-priced or even free. With free apps, though, parents might contend with the issue of in-app purchases; unless this option is disabled, children might be able to purchase items in an app or game that is charged to a parent’s account.

Reading apps that are designed to provide guided instruction or children are often free to download but they also require a subscription to access. How does this work? Parents download the app, but an account is required to begin the instructional components of the program.

Reading apps are all priced differently, and may have different tiers of subscription choices, too. Readability offers one monthly subscription and is priced at $19.99. However, parents can use one Readability subscription for up to three users.

As instructional apps are a monthly financial commitment, many offer free trial periods that allow parents to explore them. Readability lets parents sign-up for a free seven-day trial that allows access to all the components of the program.

What Features are Important for a Reading Program or App?

App-based reading apps are designed differently. Not every program is an ideal fit for every child, but there are specific features on which parents might focus to ensure that the program can help their child and keep them engaged in lessons.

Read-Aloud Lessons

Older children might read silently. However, reading apps that are designed to help struggling readers might focus on a read-aloud format. Why is this format beneficial?

Reading aloud helps children hear the story and also hear themselves as they read the story. With Readability, reading aloud also is important as the program includes a built-in AI tutor that’s programmed with voice recognition software.

The AI tutor learns each child’s voice. When a child reads stories aloud with Readability, the tutor can identify if the child needs help. For example, a child might struggle to decode a word or they might mispronounce a word. The tutor picks up the error or struggle and provides help.

Children don’t work alone when using Readability. Every child has their own built-in reading tutor for guided instruction.

Comprehension Tools and Assessments

Not all children struggle with comprehension. Those who do struggle with this aspect of literacy, though, need tools that help them better understand the story. Readability includes assessments at the end of each story that gauges the child’s understanding of what they read.

When a child finishes a story or book in Readability, the AI tutor asks them a series of questions about the book. If a child answers the question incorrectly, the tutor will show them the section of the story that provides clues to correctly answer the question. The tutor also reads the portion of the book aloud.

This is how Readability helps children learn to go back and re-read sections to help improve their understanding. Re-reading can be a valuable learning skill for children who struggle with comprehension, and Readability helps reinforce this learning habit.

Leveled Books

Reading programs need to be correctly leveled for each child. If lessons are too difficult, children will become frustrated and tune out.

Readability lets parents set the reading level for their child so that the program begins at the correct starting point for each reader. However, if a parent doesn’t know their child’s reading level, the program can determine the best reading level.

Readability ensures that books are perfectly leveled to help children gain confidence and advance to more difficult levels as they demonstrate proficiency.  

Immersive and Interactive Components

Younger readers might lose interest if lessons are simply devoted to just reading stories aloud. Readability encourages children to explore the books they are enjoying.

Every book in a child’s leveled library includes immersive and colorful illustrations. These pictures help break up the text and help children identify the action of the story.

Children also can explore words in every book. They can tap any word to hear the word’s definition or hear it used in a sentence. Every discovered word is added to a child’s individual word bank; they can revisit all their vocabulary words and hear them again and again to gain fluency and understanding.

Engaging Content

Older elementary students don’t want to read books written for first graders. Older children who struggle to read might find their book choices limited; the books their friends enjoy might be too difficult for them. Yet, lower-grade books are just too young for their interests.

Readability includes high/low books for older readers; these books are written for a child’s interests and grade-level while also being appropriate for their reading level. High refers to high-interest and low refers to a lower reading level.

Children can enjoy reading about favorite sports stars or stories featuring fun new fictional characters. Readability features many award-winning authors. Many books in Readability also are included in Accelerated Reader (AR); children can take AR quizzes at school on books they read while using Readability.

Vocabulary Enrichment

Children can tap any word in a book to hear the definition or listen to the word used in a sentence. However, Readability also includes a vocabulary list for every book in a child’s leveled library.

Readability helps children expand their vocabulary knowledge and explore new words, too. Vocabulary skills and mastery are integral in the reading journey. Understanding the meaning of words helps children better understand the meaning of a sentence, a paragraph and the story as a whole.

Children can access all their vocabulary words to review them again and again to gain mastery.

Audiobook Options

Some children learn best through hearing and are auditory learners. One of the best features that parents can look for in a reading app for auditory learners is the option for audiobook content.

Not only do these narrated stories help auditory learners, but they also provide children a chance to enjoy a storytime experience anywhere. Readability includes the Storytime feature; children can listen to their favorite books and follow along, too.

Storytime can be accessed anywhere. Children can listen to stories at a sibling’s sports practice, in the car or just at home. Parents don’t have to pay for these audiobooks; they are included for free with every Readability subscription.

Choosing the best reading app for a child isn’t always easy. However, parents who are interested in using an app that offers all the key features for reading success can sign up for a free seven-day Readability trial period. Children can meet the AI reading tutor that will help guide their reading journey and explore new books and stories, too.

Parents of children who struggle to read should understand that their child isn’t alone; it’s estimated that millions of children have reading difficulties. When reading struggles are identified, though, parents can take steps to help their child.

Unfortunately, some children fall through the cracks because their struggles may never be identified. As reading becomes more difficult in later grades, children could fall farther and farther behind their peers. Reading growth could fall off, and the child could struggle to catch up. Here are 10 staggering statistics about struggling readers and reading growth:

• Less than 20 percent of children read 30 minutes or more every day

• More than half of children read less than 15 minutes

• Middle income communities have 13 books to 1 child; lower-income communities have 1 book per 300 children

• 25 percent of kids will grow up without becoming literate

• If a child doesn’t read well in first grade, there is a 90 percent chance they will continue to struggle by time they reach fourth grade

• Third grade reading can correlate to dropping out of high school. Children who don’t read at a benchmark at the end of this grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

• More than 1 in 3 kindergarteners don’t have the skills to learn to read

• 65 percent of fourth graders are reading below their grade-level expectations

• Only 37 percent of students who are graduating from high school read at or above the expected proficiency

• More than 80 percent of sixth graders who fail an English class don’t graduate from high school.

These statistics illustrate how integral reading is for later success in high school. When parents notice their child struggling, how can they help? How can parents overcome any hurdles that seem to be barriers to their child’s success?

While it’s important for parents to understand the impact of these 10 statistics on a child’s literacy development and their potential success in later grades, children aren’t doomed to become a part of these numbers. For each statistic, here’s how parents can make an impact on the literacy success and development of their child.

Many Children Are Not Reading Enough

Less than 20 percent of children read 30 minutes or more every day, and more than half read less than 15 minutes every day.

This is a fairly easy statistic to beat. Parents can beat themselves up if they realize their child has fallen behind. However, this isn’t helpful. If a child isn’t reading every day, encourage regular reading times.

Parents can let children listen to books on tape as they follow along in their book. Parents can read to children. If 30 minutes seems like a long time to a child, break it down into two 15-minute sessions.

Let children read different types of materials like comic books, graphic novels or even magazines. All reading counts!

Books and Accessibility

One statistic notes that middle-income communities have more books per child. Parents who are in a position to help donate books to needy communities also could use the experience to help children understand how important books are for communities and the children in those communities.

However, parents who live in an area without many books might struggle to find materials for their child. Some thrift stores offer books for a quarter. There also could be resources through the school. Public libraries also are a source of free materials.

When Children Struggle to Read in First Grade, It Reverberates Later

Understanding a child’s reading struggles is important. Identifying reading struggles can lead to earlier intervention to ensure that children don’t continue to fall behind.

Most schools send reading reports home with students that help parents understand their reading level. These updates can help parents identify potential struggles. Is the child meeting grade-level benchmarks and expectations? Are they reading below grade level?

If a parent discovers their child is reading far below their peers or is even just slightly behind, they can reach out to their child’s teacher to discuss any intervention options. Not all children may qualify for additional reading intervention programs, but teachers also could provide parents with suggestions on how to provide help at home.

More than 1 in 3 Kindergarteners Aren’t Prepared to Learn How to Read

Many children are entering kindergarten without the proper tools to learn how to read. Parents of preschoolers can help prepare their child for reading by reading to them every day.

Read favorite books together, visit the library and find new stories or even attend a children’s story time event at a public library. To prepare children for kindergarten, parents can begin introducing alphabet songs and games.

Make learning fun by creating an alphabet match game, too. Just make two cards for each letter of the alphabet. Shuffle the cards and place them face down. Take turns choosing cards to find matches. Encourage children to say the letter when they flip over a card.

Parents also can help children understand the sounds of letters by drawing a picture associated with that letter on the card. For example, “egg” for “E.” Have children say the letter and the object. This can encourage them to associate the letter with the sound.

Literacy and High School Success

Statistics show that when children are struggling to read in third grade or even failing an English class in middle school, success in high school may be lower. In fact, children who fail an English class in sixth grade are much more likely to not finish high school.

Less than half of students who are graduating high school are proficient or reading above the proficient level. This means that many high school graduating seniors aren’t fluent readers and haven’t hit literacy benchmarks.

What can parents do at home to ensure their child becomes a successful reader? How can parents help a struggling reader?

Helping at home doesn’t require a degree or even any special skills. However, patience is a must. Children who struggle might need more one-on-one intervention; some parents can offer this, but others might not have the time to work with their child.

A lesson-based reading program like Readability can be used to help a struggling reader gain confidence and improve their reading fluency. Readability can help children who struggle with comprehension, phonics/phonetics and overall reading fluency or speed.

Readability is leveled to ensure that each child begins with books and lessons that are appropriate for their abilities. Each reading level in Readability includes a library of books; children read these books out loud, and these lessons are guided by a built-in AI reading tutor.

The reading tutor is programmed to recognize every user’s voice. This means that if a child struggles with a word or needs help, the tutor will understand the child’s struggle and provide help. At the end of each book, the tutor also will ask the child questions to measure and gauge their comprehension.

If a child answers a question incorrectly about the book, the tutor will show them the section from the book that provides clues for the answer. The tutor also will read the section aloud. The child will have another chance to answer the question; this helps children understand that it’s ok to look back and re-read sections that they might not have understood. Re-reading is an important tool for children who might struggle with comprehension.

Parents can explore their child’s reading progress via the Parent Dashboard portal in the program. This portal is only accessible to parents, and the dashboard shows the child’s reading data. Parents can review their child’s reading fluency (measured in words read per minute), comprehension, reading level and they can even see how long their child used Readability each day.

Children are not statistics, but reading statistics can help parents understand the impact of literacy on school success. When parents identify that their child is struggling with reading, they can explore solutions to help their child meet grade-level benchmarks.

Reading programs can help struggling readers become more confident readers and improve their fluency and understanding. Parents can try Readability for free for seven days to better understand how the program can help their child succeed. Sign up for a free trial today!

There are millions of children who struggle with reading. These struggles might be related to phonemic/phonetic awareness, fluency, reading comprehension or combination of these literacy skills. Some children might read slightly below grade level, while others lag far behind their peers.

Helping a child with reading and working with them to hit grade-level benchmarks requires understanding a child’s specific struggle and finding the best tools and resources that aid these difficulties. For some parents, these tools might seem inaccessible. However, many resources are available online or via apps; these are the best resources for struggling readers:

• Wordless Books

• High/Low Books

• Phonemic-focused apps

• Phonics apps or worksheets

• Professional organizations that specialize in learning disorders

• Literacy tools like graphic organizers and reading comprehension bookmarks

• Audiobooks

• Lesson-based reading apps

Using Reading Resources at Home

Parents who need to help their child with reading at home can integrate different materials to help guide their child. Many resources are available for free online or even at public libraries. When choosing materials, parents need to focus on their child’s particular struggles.

A child’s particular learning style also can guide the choice of resources. For example, some children are auditory learners; resources that provide vocal instruction could work best and help them gain mastery.

Wordless Books

Wordless books are books that are designed only with pictures. They are—as the name implies—without words. How do these books help struggling readers, though?

Wordless books can be used to help children better understand the parts of a story. With wordless books, children need to create their own story using the pictures as a visual prompt. Children need to name the characters, create a plot and also wrap up the story with a succinct ending.

These unique books can include different stories every time a child reads them. They also can help children think deeper about how to create and tell a story.

High/Low Books

Children who are reading below grade-level might feel embarrassed about not being able to read the same books as their friends. Just because a child doesn’t read as well as their friends doesn’t mean they need to read books that are designed for a younger child.

To encourage the reading habit and to help children who struggle with literacy to enjoy reading, parents can introduce high/low books. These books feature topics that are of ‘high interest’ to children but are still written at a lower reading level.

High/low books can feature famous sports figures, science topics, historical figures and even fantasy adventures. The site We are Teachers includes a round-up of the best high/low books for different age groups. Parents can find many of these books at their public library.

Phonemic-Focused Apps

‘Phonemics’ refers to the sounds of words. Some children struggle to understand the different sounds of a word. To help children who struggle with this skill, parents can download apps that provide auditory guidance.

Both the App Store (for Apple devices) and Google Play (for Android) offer numerous apps that can help children work on this literacy fundamental. Some apps are designed as games. Others include charts to help boost phonemic understanding.

Many apps are free, and parents might download several to find the best resource for their child. Some apps might offer in-app purchases, and parents can disable this feature on their phone or device to ensure they don’t incur any unexpected charges.

Phonics Apps and Worksheets

While phonemics focus on the sounds of words, phonics is focused on letters and their relationship with sounds. There are many free apps available that can help children master their letter identification and work on their phonics skills.

Again, some of these apps may be designed as games. Parents can try out different phonics apps to find the best resource for their child.

In addition, parents also can download worksheets online that focus on phonics skills. These can be used to help children gain mastery and provide enrichment at home. Parents also could reach out to teachers for any additional phonics enrichment worksheets.

Nonprofit Organizations Can be a Beneficial Resource

If a child was diagnosed with a particular learning or reading disorder, parents can research non-profit or educational organizations that are established to help children with a particular learning struggle or disorder.

These organizations can be vital resources for helping parents find additional help for their child. They also could offer suggestions related to IEPs and working with the school. Many organizations offer links to local groups or educational resources, too.

Organizations that could be beneficial to children with reading struggles include:

• Learning Disabilities Association of America

• International Dyslexia Association

• The Dyslexia Foundation

• Autism Speaks

• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

Graphic Organizers and Reading Comprehension Bookmarks

Children who struggle with reading comprehension could benefit from using visual resources like graphic organizers and reading comprehension bookmarks. These tools can help children organize parts of the story or remind children on the aspects of the story on which they need to focus their attention.

Graphic organizers are often used in classrooms to help guide understanding of specific literary concepts. Organizers can focus on plot, characters or even serve to help outline the main points of the story. Graphic organizers are worksheets that offer specific topics or prompts with a space for children to make notes or include explanations.

Reading comprehension bookmarks are designed to provide children with a visual prompt to use as they read. Parents can print out reading comprehension bookmarks online, or they can help children design their own bookmarks. These tools for younger readers might simply include the ‘w/h’ questions of comprehension (who, what, where, when, why and how), while bookmarks for older children might include a space to take notes.

Children also can flip bookmarks horizontally to help them focus on specific sections of text and to guide reading.

Audiobooks

Some children are auditory learners and they might benefit from listening to a story as they follow along. Parents can use audiobooks to help children better identify a character’s emotions and intentions.

When children hear a story narrated, they might catch details they miss in the text. Parents can find audiobooks at public libraries or download these books via ereader tools or even apps like Audible. Prices for audiobooks may vary, and Audible requires a subscription.

Audiobooks also can be used if parents don’t have time to read to children. However, parents might be sure that the child also has a printed copy of the book to follow along and see any illustrations that can help children to visualize the story and its characters.

Lesson-Based Reading Apps

Children who struggle to read at grade-level and who might have difficulty with multiple areas of literacy could benefit from using a lesson-based reading app. Readability is appropriate for children in preschool through fifth grade; the program adjusts to the child’s reading level to ensure that books are matched to their ability.

Parents can set their child’s reading level, or Readability can determine the child’s reading level. Books are read aloud in Readability, but the lessons are always guided. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that learns each child’s voice; when a child has trouble pronouncing words, the tutor understands the child’s struggle and provides verbal guidance.

Stories in Readability are leveled for each child’s ability, but libraries in the program include high/low books to ensure that older children can read books that interest them. At the end of each book, the tutor asks children questions about what they read; this is how the program measures a child’s comprehension.

If a child incorrectly answers a question, the AI tutor will show them the text from the book that helps them answer the question and the tutor also will read the text aloud. Children will then have another opportunity to answer the question. Readability helps children understand that it’s ok to re-read sections of a book that could be confusing.

Readability also helps children improve their vocabulary; every book includes a vocabulary list. In addition, children can tap any word in a book to hear its meaning or listen to it used in a sentence. All these discovered words are added into a child’s word bank; they can review and listen to all their vocabulary words again and again.

For parents, understanding a child’s reading progress can be difficult. Have they increased their reading level? Are they understanding what they are reading? Readability helps parents understand their child’s reading progress by providing parents with a private portal called the Parent Dashboard.

This parent-only portal includes all the reading data for each child. Parents can review their child’s fluency (measured in words read per minute), comprehension, reading level and see how long their child reads each day. This information also can be compiled into a report that can be sent via email to the child’s teacher.

The Best Reading Resources for Struggling Readers

Parents who have discovered that their child is reading below grade-level expectations can access many resources to aid their child’s struggles. Wordless books, high/low books and audiobooks all can be found at a local library.

Children struggling with phonics or phonemic awareness could use apps that help them master these literacy skills in a fun and immersive format. Apps could be designed as games that keep children engaged in their lessons.

In addition, parents might determine that a more formalized approach to reading instruction is the best option for their child. Lesson-based apps like Readability can help children who struggle with multiple aspects of the reading journey. Parents who are interested in exploring the program can sign up for a free seven-day trial to better understand if Readability is an effective resource for their child.

Reading can be a difficult journey for some children. In first grade, students are beginning to read longer stories. Some precocious readers might even begin reading shorter chapter books. Yet, other children might fall behind their peers and struggle to meet grade-level reading benchmarks.

When parents learn that their first-grader is struggling with grade-level text, how can they help at home? Parents don’t need to have any special knowledge in reading instruction to help their child. These 10 strategies for helping struggling readers in first grade can be used at home:

• Understand the child’s struggle

• Incorporate games and activities

• Let children listen to stories

• Chunk text and explore it

• Teach children to break up words into parts

• Ask questions during reading

• Choose books at the child’s level

• Move at the child’s pace

• Encourage and be positive

• Use reading apps

Understand the Child’s Struggle

One of the most important strategies for helping a child with any subject or lesson is to understand their struggle. Reading involves different skills. Children need to decode words and process them for understanding. They need to be able to understand the sounds of letters and how letters work together to create blends.

As they decode, their brain also works to process meaning to understand the text. Some children struggle to decode, and this struggle may lead to problems understanding the meaning of words and the text as a whole.

Other children can decode easily. However, they can have difficulty in synthesizing the meaning of the text. They might be able to fluently read a book, yet they cannot answer questions about what they read. Or they may just understand the text at a very basic level.

Children who struggle to decode need to focus on the skills related to sounds, blends and how letters work to create the word. Those who struggle with comprehension might need more guidance to better understand the text as they read it.

If parents are unsure of their child’s struggle, they won’t be able to focus on strategies that help their child and move them forward in their reading journey.

Incorporate Games and Activities

Focusing on lesson-based reading instruction at home can make children feel that they are back in the classroom. While, yes, parents need to work with children as they read, they also can incorporate fun activities to add some fun into the reading journey.

While parents want their child to hit grade-level benchmarks and read fluently, it’s also important that children learn to enjoy reading. When reading is enjoyable, children may be more inclined to pick up a book for entertainment. The more a child reads the better! Practice makes perfect.

First graders typically need to memorize a list of sight words. Parents can use games to help them master these words. Write their list of sight words and take children on a sight words scavenger hunt. 

Parents can also play sight word matching games with children. Make two cards of each sight word, mix them up and take turns trying to find matches. Encourage children to say the sight word when they flip each card.

Other aspects of reading can be incorporated into games, too. Have children act out a book to help them focus on the plot and characters. Encourage young children to write their own book. Help them sound out the words of their story as they write.

Parents also can think outside of the box to create fun games that help children explore reading. For example, take a Twister mat and mark circles with sight words.

The internet also is home to many reading games and educational sites to help children with reading. Explore PBS Kids or ABCYa to find games and activities focused on first-grade reading skills.

Listen to Stories

Many children love to listen to stories. Encourage children to read with their ears by using audiobooks to narrate their reading journey. Parents might be able to access audiobooks through their local library or they can explore titles through apps that offer audiobooks.

One of the easiest ways to encourage children to listen to stories, though, is simply by reading to them. Parents can read aloud to children and ask them questions at the end of the chapter or book. Talk to children during the story, too.

Parents can use different voices to add to the narration and to help children understand the emotions of characters.

Chunk Text…and Explore

Children who have difficulty with comprehension can benefit from chunking the text. This involves parents or the child blocking out a portion of the page to focus on a specific passage.

Chunking helps children break up long stories into manageable parts. This can help train them to reread, too. By focusing on one section, children are less likely to be overwhelmed or lose their focus. Chunking also can help children read more fluently.

Chunking can be an effective strategy for all readers. For younger readers, though, help them explore the chunked text. What does it mean? What’s happening in the story?

Chunk the Words, Too

Children who have struggles decoding a word can learn to break words into parts. Chunk bigger words to help sound out the word and read it fluently. With smaller words, parents can help children sound out the letters to identify the word.

Some words are easy to chunk by syllables. Compound words also are easy to break apart.

Ask Questions

When reading with a child, ask questions. Talk about the story. In first grade, children may need to only focus on the basic w/h questions of comprehension: who, what, where, when, why and how.

However, parents also can talk to children about what they think will happen next. See if children can make predictions. Talk about the characters and their actions.

Choose Books at the Right Level

When helping a first grader with reading, parents should help them choose books at their level. Books that are too difficult may cause undue frustration.

Most schools send reading reports home to help parents understand their child’s reading level. However, parents can reach out to their child’s teacher if they are unsure about what reading level is best for their child.

Move at the Child’s Pace

Children learn at different speeds. Those who struggle with reading might read more slowly. Try to move at the child’s pace. If they need more time to focus and sound out a word, let them take their time.

Reading isn’t a race. Take time to help children and encourage them to slow down as needed.

Encourage, Don’t Discourage

Be a positive guiding light for a child. Those who struggle to read may feel embarrassed and timid when reading aloud. Encourage children as they sound out words. Help them explore the text and teach them that it’s ok to re-read if they don’t understand something.

Be positive and don’t shame a child when they make a mistake. After all, mistakes are a necessary part of learning.

Incorporate Reading Apps or Programs

Some children may need extra help or more enrichment than parents can provide. Reading apps like Readability can be used to help children who struggle with reading.

Readability is designed for children in preschool through fifth grade, and the program can grow with the child. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that guides the lessons and learns each child’s voice. Stories are read aloud, and when a child has trouble identifying a word, the tutor provides assistance.

At the end of each story, the AI tutor also asks the child questions about the book. This is how the program measures a child’s comprehension. However, if a child doesn’t answer a question correctly, the tutor will display the portion of the story that provides clues about the answer. The tutor also reads the passage to the child. Then they can answer the question again.

Readability also gives children the opportunity to listen to their favorite Readability stories. Storytime is a new feature that provides narrated stories that children can enjoy anywhere.

Interested in exploring Readability for helping struggling readers in first grade? Sign up for a free seven-day trial today!