Regardless of their grade in elementary school, children need to read regularly. Many schools assign reading minutes to help ensure that children read outside of the classroom. While some children have difficulty with reading, others might avoid it because they just don’t like to read.

For most children, there is one surefire way to help improve reading skills. The answer is simple, and parents might not like it. The best way to improve reading is to encourage them to read on a regular basis.

The more a child reads, the more confident they may become in their reading ability. However, some children might have a learning disorder that makes reading more difficult. They may require extra enrichment or specialized reading instruction.

How to Help Children Read More

For children who don’t struggle but who need to become more fluent readers, here are five ways to encourage them to read and help them read more often:

• Create a rewards system

• Read the book, watch the movie

• Don’t judge the book a child chooses

• Read aloud to kids

• Use a reading program

Create a Rewards System

Reading rewards don’t work for all children, but some feel incredibly motivated when they can visualize their progress and earn a prize. If parents think back to their own childhood, they might realize that they benefited from reading rewards, too.

In the 1980s, many schools started to participate in a program sponsored by Pizza Hut called the BOOK IT! Program, which gave each child a badge. When a child finished a book, they could take the badge (or button) to their local Pizza Hut and receive a star sticker. When the student accumulated a specific number of stars, they earned a free personal pan pizza.

The Book It program still exists, and many schools participate. Schools also could participate in other reading programs that offer a unique rewards system or they could create their own.

At home, parents can design a rewards system that helps to support their child’s reading goals. Let children create a chart that shows their progress. Parents can set prize levels after a specific number of reading minutes or when the child reads a certain number of books.

Prizes don’t have to be tangible. Parents can reward children with privileges like extra screen time or something else that motivates their child.

Read the Book, Watch the Movie

Many children’s books have been adapted to the big screen. Make the book come to life by letting the child watch the movie after they finish the book.

After the movie, ask the child about the differences between the book and the movie. Did the main character look the way that the child pictured them? Imagination Soup offers an extensive list of children’s books that are now movies.

Don’t Judge the Book a Child Chooses

Letting a child choose their own books helps them discover the genres, authors and characters they prefer. When parents choose a book, reading can begin to feel like homework.

While it’s important to let children explore the library and find their favorite books, parents also need to avoid judging a child’s book choice. Parents could have specific books a child isn’t allowed to read because of mature content, and these stipulations are a family decision.

When a child chooses a book, though, that is grade and age appropriate, parents might need to step back and reserve any judgment. A child might love to read history books or even mysteries. Meanwhile, parents might prefer their child to read award-winning books.

If a child is enjoying the book, let them read. The act of reading is about learning but it’s also about enjoyment. Again, the more a child reads, the better they may become.

Read Aloud to Kids of All Ages

A child isn’t too old to hear a story. Listening to stories and enjoying story time never really stops being enjoyable. Adults may even love it, and some adults prefer books on tape.

While children should read independently, it’s also ok for parents to read aloud to them. Children can read one book independently, and a parent can read them a more difficult book aloud.

Hearing a story read aloud also could help children relax, and reading can be a comforting bedtime ritual. Pick out a fun book and read to both older kids and younger kids.

Use a Reading App or Program

Children who struggle to read could benefit from using a reading app like Readability. Reading apps are all designed differently. With Readability, children read books aloud. The program includes a built-in AI reading tutor that recognizes the child’s voice; when a child struggles with a word, the reading tutor provides assistance.

Readability’s AI tutor also can help children who struggle with comprehension. At the end of each story, the AI tutor asks questions about the book to test a child’s understanding. If the child chooses the incorrect answer, the tutor will show them the section of the book that provides information to help answer the question and the tutor will read it aloud to them. The child then will be able to answer the question again.

In this way, Readability reinforces the importance of going back and re-reading to improve comprehension. Re-reading can help children better understand the content and also pick up on details that they might have missed.

Children also are encouraged to explore stories as they read. Each Readability story includes a list of vocabulary words, but children can tap any word in the story to hear the definition of the word or hear it used in a sentence. Every word the child discovers is added to their word bank.

How Can Parents Help Children Enjoy Reading?

While parents can embrace a rewards system, read to their children, encourage them to explore and choose books or even use a reading program, some children may just not love to read. How can parents help children like reading?

Some children might have developed a dislike for reading because the act of reading was treated as something that they had to do. Parents also might have picked books for their child, and perhaps children grew to resent that they had no choice but to read a book that was forced on them.

Parents can let children read different materials to encourage them to read. Comic books, graphic novels and magazines all help children read more. Some children might love graphic novels; these books offer illustrations that help enhance the reading journey.

Comic books also can encourage children to read more. Parents may want to help children choose comics that are age-appropriate, though. Some comic books are best suited for young adults. However, there are many titles that are written specifically for children.

Ditching the clock also could help take some of the pressure off of a child when they read. While parents might think that setting a timer is helpful, the child could be distracted or even discouraged by it. Parents could help children set grade-level appropriate reading goals instead.  

Not all adults love reading, and not all children will love reading. However, parents can help them become better and more confident readers by helping them find a ‘like’ for books and stories.

Rain or snow can keep kids trapped indoors, and parents might look for ways to keep them entertained. Bad weather can be a great day for reading books and helping children become more confident readers.

Here’s how to improve reading fluency at home when kids are stuck inside during rainy, snowy weather or when days are just too cold for heading outdoors.

Use these reading activities to boost fluency:

• Reading races

• Read aloud

• Listen to stories

• Read poetry

• Write stories

• Use reading programs

Do All Kids Need Help with Reading Fluency?

All children can work on reading and improving their fluency and confidence. The more children read, the better they might be at reading. Enjoying books during snow days or indoor rainy days also can help children equate books with entertainment.

Books and quiet reading time or family reading activities can be a fun part of an indoor day. Make some hot cocoa and warm up with a good book!

What is Reading Fluency?

Reading fluency is measured in words read per minute. Reading fluency is how well a child can read without making a mistake. Fluency focuses on accurate decoding, but it also involves a child understanding how to detect emotion or action within a story.

When hearing a story read aloud, for example, a book won’t be entertaining if the reader simply reads the words without any inflection or emotion. Children need to be able to quickly decode words and read with confidence.

Some children struggle with decoding words. Children could require more enrichment or parents could utilize additional tools and resources to provide help for children who struggle with this reading skill.

How All Children Can Work on Reading Fluency

As children are learning to read, they advance through reading levels that pose additional challenges. As reading levels become harder, children may discover words become more difficult to pronounce. Not all words follow the traditional rules of pronunciation.

At home, all children can work on their reading confidence and fluency. However, most children won’t want to read if it feels like a lesson or homework. The goal for parents should be focused on encouraging children and creating an environment that presents reading as a fun activity.

Hold Reading Races

Children who need additional help with boosting their speed and fluency can practice their skills with reading races. Parents can participate, too! In fact, parents can mirror reading for their children through games like reading races.

Grab a stopwatch (smartphones have them!), and encourage children to read a paragraph aloud. The paragraph can be from a book, a magazine, etc. Parents could even have children read a page aloud.

Time children as they read. When they finish, record their time. In reading races, the goal is for a child to practice and beat their best reading time. Remember, the more a child reads, the better and more proficient they can become.

Parents can hold reading races to help children who struggle when reading aloud. During this activity, though, parents shouldn’t criticize. Make it fun. Encourage children.

Tell children not to focus too much on speed; this isn’t about reading fast, it’s about reading fluently and fluidly. Encourage children to focus on reading with confidence and on reading the passage meaningfully—using emotion and emphasizing words when necessary.

Read Aloud Together

Grab a book and read to children. Let children follow along as parents read. Parents also can encourage children to read a page, too. In fact, parents and children can alternate who reads and who listens to the story.

Reading aloud together helps children hear the book and pick up meaning from the narrator. Encouraging children to read aloud helps them practice their reading and build confidence and fluency.

Some children can stumble as they read; parents should encourage them to sound out words. However, parents also can provide help if children can’t decipher a word.

When read to or with children, ask questions about the story. Talk to children about what they think might happen next.

If children are reading aloud to parents, make sure the book is on their reading level. A book that is too difficult or beyond their reading level can result in a child feeling frustrated.

Listen to Books and Stories

Listening to books and stories also can help children with reading fluency. Use audiobooks to let children hear the story as they follow along. These books can help children better understand emotion and pick up on the action of stories by listening to the auditory cues of the narrator.

Smartphones provide access to audiobooks via apps like Apple Books; other ereader apps also might have the option for audiobooks, too. Parents can subscribe to services like Audible for a library of audiobooks or even check out audiobooks from their local library.

Read Poetry

Parents might focus on encouraging their child to read books to help improve reading fluency. However, parents might overlook one very important tool: poetry. What makes poetry so wonderful for helping children with fluency is their brevity and their cadence. 

The Literacy Junkie explains that poetry can also help with comprehension, too, as building fluency helps the reader with understanding the meaning.

Poetry is like a song; many poems are written with a specific flow and often include rhyming elements or words that simply mirror each other in syllables and sounds. Poetry is fun to read, and there are many poets who are focused on poetry for children.

One of the most beloved children’s poets is Shel Silverstein. His books include humorous poems that children love. Silverstein’s books are a joy to read at any age.

Write Books or Stories

Let children become an author on a rainy or dreary day. Encourage children to write their own story. Use printer paper or construction paper for the cover.

Parents might have children brainstorm ideas for their book and create a loose outline. Maybe children just make up the story as they go. Writing a book helps children identify and create characters and perhaps develop them, too. After writing the story, children can read it aloud to parents.

In addition, writing also makes children focus on how words are correctly spelled and how sentences are constructed. These also are important skills that aid reading fluency.

Use a Reading Program

Children who struggle with reading fluency might need additional enrichment or a more immersive lesson-based approach to help them meet grade-level benchmarks. Reading programs can provide a virtual tutoring opportunity to better guide struggling readers.

Readability focuses on helping children with both fluency and comprehension. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that guides lessons on the program. When using Readability, children read stories aloud. If they stumble or need help, the tutor provides assistance. At the end of each story, the tutor also asks questions to test a child’s comprehension of what they read.

Children are encouraged to explore words in each book. Every book available on Readability includes a list of vocabulary words, but children can click any word in a story to hear the definition or hear the word used in a sentence. This feature helps children better learn how to pronounce each word correctly and boosts their vocabulary skills, too.

Children also can listen to their favorite Readability stories via the Storytime feature. Children can listen to a story in the car to a game, sports practice, on their way to school or even during a road trip. Readability provides the audiobook experience for children to use anywhere.

Parents might not know if a reading program will benefit their child. Parents can explore Readability with their child using a free seven-day trial. With a free trial, children can explore all the features of the program and use the AI tutor, too. Sign up today and start an online reading adventure!

On a rainy day, a snowy day or even during a long break like during the winter holidays or summer, parents might be looking for new activities to do with their children. Maybe they’ve visited all the local museums or explored all the parks. Perhaps it’s just so miserable that indoor activities are a must.

Parents also might look for ways to engage their child with more educational activities. Ready to get creative? Here’s how to improve your child reading by making wordless books at home.

What do parents and children need to make wordless books? Gather these supplies:

• Paper (construction paper or just plain white printer paper)

• A stapler (for easy book binding)

• Crayons or markers

• Glitter

• Stickers

• Stencils

What are Wordless Books?

Parents might be unfamiliar with the term ‘wordless book.’ What is a wordless book and how does it help reading?

A wordless book is a picture book without words. Yes, the book is only different pictures. These books encourage children to tell their own stories; they must think of plots, name characters and even figure out how the book will end.

Wordless books don’t help children read by decoding, but they do encourage creativity. They also help children understand that books have beginnings, middles and endings, too. Reading Rockets explains that wordless books also help with vocabulary, listening skills and even comprehension.

These books are more than just pictures or illustrations, they are doorways to creativity. Wordless books also are incredibly easy to make. There are no right or wrong creations. When a child creates their own wordless book, they may be writing or creating a story in their head as they are drawing pictures.

How to Make a Wordless Book

Writing or creating a wordless book is fun and it’s also really easy. The hardest part of the project might be deciding on the length of the book.

Provide children with a stack of blank pieces of paper. Tell them that they are going to create a book with only pictures. They can draw whatever they want. However, after they create their book, they will use the book to tell the story using only the pictures that they draw on the pages.

Make sure children understand that they don’t have to write any words on the page. Remember, wordless books are wordless!

Children can create their illustrations using whatever they want or whatever items parents have on hand. Parents can gather markers, crayons, stickers, glitter pens or glitter glue, or stencils.

When the story is ‘written,’ parents can staple all the pages together to create the book. Parents should encourage children to make a cover for their book, though. Let them illustrate the cover and write a title for their book. They also shouldn’t forget their author by-line.

50 Fun Ideas for Wordless Books

The ideas for creating wordless books are really endless. Children can create all kinds of colorful illustrations to tell stories of all genres. Parents can create their own wordless books to read with children, too.

When families are stuck inside and aren’t sure what type of books to create, here are fifty different themes to inspire literary or illustrative creativity. The themes will all be basic, because the rest is up to the creator.

1.   A dreary rainy day stuck indoors
2.   It’s a happy snow day!  
3.   Secrets inside an old house
4.   Finding buried treasure on a beach
5.   A visit to the local zoo
6.   The first day at a new school
7.   The first day of summer vacation
8.   An unspooky Halloween  
9.   Adopting a new pet
10.   Visiting a new country (children can even make up their own country)
11.   Getting new eyeglasses
12.   Visiting the pumpkin patch
13.   A fairytale adventure
14.   An outer space exploration
15.   Walking on the moon
16.   Creatures under the sea
17.   The most embarrassing day
18.   The best day ever
19.   Home sick from school
20.   Meeting a new friend
21.   The grossest thing I ever ate
22.   If I could fly
23.   If I was the President
24.   Going on a camping trip
25.   Going to the dentist
26.   Suddenly I have superpowers
27.   The greatest adventure
28.   If kids were in charge
29.   Ice cream and cake for dinner
30.   The day everything was backwards
31.   The coolest hero
32.   Stuck on a desert island
33.   A mystery delivery
34.   A day at Grandma and Grandpa’s house
35.   An undiscovered planet
36.   A story for sleeping
37.   Exploring a new park
38.   A fun road trip
39.   A day on the farm
40.   Finding a message in a bottle
41.   The carnival comes to town
42.   A snowy holiday
43.   The day it rained chocolate
44.   I’m in the Olympics
45.   If cars could fly
46.   If the toys really could talk
47.   My hamster saved the day
48.   I’m invisible for a day!
49.   A trip on a train
50.   A hot air balloon adventure

There are so many different ideas and themes for children to create their own wordless stories. Parents don’t have to insist that children pick from this list of ideas, although the themes could help spark a child’s imagination.

Even when a child sticks to a theme—like ‘If cars could fly’—the story will change every time the child and the parent reads the books. The illustrations might show certain scenes or depictions, but children can create new adventures from the same illustrations.

Characters could go on different adventures in the flying car. Something new could happen that didn’t in early tales. Pictures are worth more than 1,000 words, because with wordless books there are endless story opportunities.

Have fun creating and reading all the wordless stories and adventures!

Use a Reading App to Listen to Stories and Provide Extra Enrichment

Wordless books help children create their own stories, and they also can help with comprehension, listening skills and vocabulary, too. For children that need extra reading enrichment for reading fluency or comprehension, parents also can use apps like Readability to help them with their reading journey.

Readability is an app-based program, and it’s designed to be used on a tablet or a smartphone. Children read stories aloud, and Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that’s programmed to recognize their voice. When a child has trouble decoding a word, the tutor will offer help.

The tutor also asks questions at the end of each story to gauge comprehension. If a child answers a question incorrectly, the tutor will show the child a passage from the book that helps them answer the question. The tutor also reads this passage aloud.

Readability includes a Storytime feature that lets children listen to all their favorite Readability stories and follow along. Hearing the story can help children pick up on emotions of characters and perhaps help them identify pieces of information that they missed while reading.

Children can use Readability from preschool through fifth grade. Parents can follow their child’s reading progress through a portal called the Program Dashboard. This shows all the child’s reading data, including fluency (words read per minute), comprehension, time spent using Readability, the number of books read and the child’s reading level.

Interested in using Readability to further guide a child’s reading journey? Sign up for a free seven-day trial today!

Children of all ages can always read more to improve their reading confidence and fluency. There are many children who have an appetite for reading, and fly through books quickly. Others may like what they read but tend to take their time reading a book. Some children just haven’t found their reading passion. Maybe reading is a struggle, or perhaps reading just feels like homework.

Technology could be used to support literacy skills, and while screens might seem like entertainment they also can be great educational tools. There are many apps to improve reading that parents can use at home; these apps can include games but also programs that support and guide reading.

Here are the best apps to improve reading and to encourage children to read more!

E-Readers

One of the easiest apps to use on a phone or tablet to encourage reading is an e-reader app. These apps are almost always pre-installed on a device; Apple has an e-reader, and Android devices likely  have their own reader, too.

Parents also could prefer a different e-reader that’s linked to a specific company like Barnes and Noble. There are handheld devices that look like tablets but are specifically designed as e-readers. Barnes and Noble offers the Nook, and there are several different styles.

These devices—or a tablet with an e-reader app—allow users to download virtual books that can be read on the screen. But these books often don’t require scrolling text like a standard web page. Instead, readers can flip the virtual pages using their fingertips.

There are many, many different books that parents can download via e-reader apps or devices. Some books may be free, others may be offered at various price points.

Like standard bound books, virtual books for children also offer colorful illustrations and maybe even interactive features, too. E-books are designed to mirror the physical reading experience, and this means the book itself (illustrations included) likely won’t change.

While e-readers aren’t for every child, some simply learn better via technology. Children who are tech-centric may be more drawn to a virtual style book versus the bound hardcopy.

Parents can try out e-reader apps and devices to find out if they work for their child. Some children may not love staring at the screen; it’s all a matter of preference.

However, those who embrace e-readers can gain reading confidence and perhaps even strengthen their reading skills by using these devices because, like books, children are reading and immersing themselves into a story. It’s not how a child reads, but how much they read that could be the benefit.

If a non reader suddenly becomes a reader with e-books, then this is a benefit for parents!

Reading Apps that are Games

The educational game can be a bit of a conundrum for parents. Are games really helpful? Even if they are marketed as educational?

Each game app is different and the pros and cons need to be weighed by parents. Before downloading a game—free or not—parents might want to read the reviews and check the format to see how exactly the game is designed to help a child read.

Some common reading games that could be a benefit include those that help children identify and learn common sight words or their letters. Games could encourage children to trace letters or identify them and their sounds in some way.

Again, though, games are unique in format. Sites like PBS Kids may have a variety of great educational games; however, PBS is known for educational programming.  Parents should research the options before handing over the device with a game that they think is going to be beneficial.

Audio Book Apps

Should children just listen to a book? Audio books are books that are narrated or read aloud. This is a bit like a parent reading a book to a child.

Audio books can be used as a tool to help children understand emotion during a story or other feelings. One way parents can utilize these books is to let children listen to a story as they follow along in the book. Again, this is a way for children who may struggle with comprehension to gather more info about emotions and perhaps characters, too.

Understood delved into how audio books can help children; these books won’t impair learning, and may help children who struggle with reading. The site explains: “It’s actually a good thing for kids to read with their eyes and their ears at the same time. This makes reading “multisensory.” And that can help kids get better at sounding out words (decoding ) and reading comprehension.”

Parents can download audio book apps like Audible to access a library of auditory books. Use these along with standard bound books to help children sharpen their reading skills.

Reading Program Apps

For children who struggle to read at grade level and who need extra help and reading intervention, parents may use reading apps at home that are immersive and lesson-based reading programs.

There are a number of reading apps available. Some may focus on a specific literacy need (like comprehension), but others—including Readability—are multimodal and guide all aspects of reading.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that helps direct reading lessons and provides guidance when a child needs it. The AI tutor is programmed with voice recognition software, and, once it learns a child’s voice, it can detect pronunciation errors or notice when a child struggles or is stumbling.

Once the tutor detects a child’s frustration or notices a mispronunciation, it will provide help and guidance. The tutor also will ask questions at the end of each story to determine if the child has comprehended what they read.

Readability also is fully immersive in design. Children are encouraged to explore stories as they read. They can click on words to learn the definition, and, in this way, Readability helps children grow their vocabulary and expand their knowledge and individual word bank.

Children who have difficulties with reading may be overwhelmed if stories are too text-heavy. Readability keeps paragraphs manageable and includes colorful illustrations so children don’t face big blocks of text.

Stories also are leveled for each child. Parents can set their child’s reading level when they begin to use Readability; parents who are unsure where their child should begin also can let the program determine the reading level.

Children advance to more difficult levels as they demonstrate proficiency. How is proficiency determined? The AI tutor measures reading fluency in words per minute. And comprehension understanding is measured by quizzes given by the tutor at the end of each story.

Some children may need to stay on a level for more time than previous levels. Every child will advance at their own pace. And reading will get more difficult with every advanced level.

Parents will want to understand how their child is progressing via any reading program. Readability provides parents with their own portal that displays all the reading data for their child. The Parent Dashboard will include reading fluency, the child’s current reading level and how long they used Readability.

All reading data also can be compiled into a reading report that can be shared and emailed to a child’s teacher. This helps parents to better communicate reading progress to the school.

Many reading programs require a subscription. Readability bills its subscriptions monthly. However, one subscription (billed at $19.99) can be used for up to three children. For parents who need to help more than one child with reading, this ensures that they don’t have to pay for multiple subscriptions.

Parents may want to review a program before committing to a subscription. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that provides full access to the program and enables children to get acquainted with the AI tutor.

If parents feel that the program is a good fit, they can continue on with a subscription. Ready to try out Readability and use the program’s reading tutor? Start a free trial today!

Sight words are the words that children need to recognize immediately in text. Knowing these easy words on sight can help children read faster and help their fluency, too.

Sight words often include the most common words that are peppered throughout stories like “I,” “me,” “the,” “we,” etc. Colors and numbers also are often a part of sight word lists.

The lists of mandatory sight words change by grade. Some children breeze through their lists, while others may struggle with memorization. Want to help children tackle their list? Here are 10 sight words activities to help your kids read faster, master those sight words…and have fun!

Sight Word Flash Cards

For some children, memorization may require skill and drill techniques. This means that parents go over the list repetitively until children show that they have memorized and mastered each word on sight.

However, skill and drill is not just about encouraging a child to memorize a rote list of words. Sight words appear randomly in context, and children can’t memorize words in order with the understanding that ‘the’ is the third word in the list.

Instead, they need to be able to see the word anywhere and recognize it immediately. To help children memorize and recognize each word randomly, parents can make flashcards for each sight word.

Every day, parents can go through the cards to help children practice their word identification. Parents should shuffle cards each time to ensure that children aren’t just recalling the words in chronological order.

Sight Word Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of all the sight words and take children on a sight word scavenger hunt. For this game, children need to match the word on their list with the same word.

When children find a sight word, they can say it and scratch it off their list. This is a fun game to play in grocery stores or out on errands.

Stuck at home during a rainy or snowy day? Have children take a sight word scavenger hunt in a room in the home. Encourage them to find their sight words in their room, the kitchen or in magazines.

Sight Word Matching

Play a fun matching game with sight words. Parents will need to make two cards for each sight word. Then randomly spread them on the floor or a table. Take turns flipping over two cards until all the matched words are discovered.

Sight Word Go Fish

Sight Word Go Fish is really easy to create and play. Since there are only 52 cards in Go Fish, parents will need to randomly select 13 different sight words on their child’s list. To help children master all their words, parents can create multiple sight word decks, though.

This game is played like the typical Go Fish card game. Players need to match four of the same cards, and if they ask for a card that another player isn’t holding they have to pick from the deck.

Parents should make sure they shuffle their sight word deck thoroughly!

Sight Word Bingo

Create Bingo cards with those sight words and play Sight Word Bingo. The site Sight Words provides all the instructions for making this game. Encourage the whole family to play!

Sight Word Races

How fast can children identify those words? Hold sight word races! Make two cards of each sight word. Parents will hold a deck of all the words and spread the rest out face up on the floor.

Parents will randomly select a word from the deck and children will have to find the word in front of them. See how fast children can grab the right words…and help them try to beat their time!

Sight Word Twister

Grab a Twister game and mark those circles with different sight words! Or create a unique sight word floor mat using fabric or other material. Parents can make a spinner that’s marked with different sight words…or just use the original game spinner!

The site Littlest Bookworms offers more details on how to create this fun game! Have everyone play!

Sensory Sight Words

Use clay or even sand to encourage children to write sight words and identify them. Parents can say the word aloud and help children craft those words. This is a great tactile play activity!

Sight Word App Games

There are many game-based apps available via Google Play and the App Store that can help children identify and master those sight words. Some games may include a flashcard type style, but others may be unique in their game play.

Parents can do a quick search for ‘sight words games’ and explore their options. Many are free!

Reading Programs

Some children may struggle with all aspects of reading; they may have difficulty mastering their sight words and sounding out other words, too. Parents may be looking for help beyond just sight word activities.

While private tutors could help children who struggle with reading, some parents may find that private tutors are simply beyond their budget. Prices for tutors could vary.

When tutors aren’t an option and games simply don’t provide enough enrichment or one-on-one assistance for a struggling reader, parents may research different online reading programs. There are many different lesson-based reading programs; some focus on one aspect of literacy (like comprehension) while others may be multi-modal in their approach.

Readability provides lesson-based instruction that helps children with all aspects of literacy. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that helps children during their reading lessons. The AI tutor is programmed with voice recognition software and learns to understand each child’s voice.

When a child struggles to read a word during a lesson, the AI tutor will help guide them. In addition, the tutor also will ask questions at the end of each book or story to test a child’s understanding about what they read.

While the tutor provides help, it also begins to understand the child’s mastery of both reading fluency and comprehension. This helps Readability ensure that children read at the level that is best for them.

Children only advance to the next reading level when the program determines that they  have exhibited mastery in both reading fluency and comprehension. Children don’t automatically move ahead just because they have read a certain number of books at a specific reading level.

Readability also is designed so that stories aren’t underwhelming or boring to a child. Books are designed to engage and are age appropriate. An older child won’t read stories designed for a younger child.

Readability’s stories and books also include interactive features and colorful illustrations. Too much text can overwhelm a struggling reader, and stories and books on the program don’t include big paragraph blocks.

Parents may wonder, though, if the program helps children who are struggling with sight words. Readability focuses on all aspects of literacy, and this means that children will read stories that include those must-know words throughout the text.

As children read stories through Readability, they will receive plenty of exposure to their sight words. And if they struggle, the AI tutor can help them.

Children also can explore individual words by highlighting them or clicking them in the story. The program will show the word’s definition to help children expand their vocabulary and their word bank.

Parents of struggling readers may research different programs for their child. One of the best ways to discover if the program is a good fit for a child’s needs is by trying it out.

Readability offers a free seven-days trial period that lets children (and parents) explore all the features of the program. Interested in learning more about Readability? Try it out today!

Decoding words with ease would logically mean that children can read more text in a shorter amount of time. The ability to take in more words would then, theoretically, lead to the greater absorption of information. Yet, there are children who can easily decode words but can only comprehend a basic level of the textual meaning. There are also students who can read quickly and understand everything they read.

Reading speed is denoted by words read per minute. The average reading speed increases with grade level. Parents of children who are slow readers might be interested in how to increase reading speed to ensure their child is…up to speed.

But how crucial is reading speed? Are there ways to increase reading speed? Can slower readers be successful? Here’s what parents should know about words per minute, fluency and if speed is the road to reading success.

Literacy Expert: Reading Speed Might be a Symptom

There are data points for almost every educational benchmark. One way that educators might be measuring a student’s proficiency and fluency is by measuring the number of words a student can read per minute. So why is this important?

Reading speed might simply be one way for teachers to measure how well a child can decode words. But the importance of reading speed also could be a pressure point that doesn’t hold as much meaning when taken alone. According to reading expert Timothy Shanahan, reading speed may simply be a symptom of another problem. That is, while reading slower might not be a problem for all readers, some students might read slower because of issues related to decoding.

In addition, there might not be an accurate measure of a problematic slow reading speed. In other words, there isn’t a clearly defined words-per-minute measurement that has been shown to impact comprehension. Shanahan notes that this measurement could, hypothetically, be 30 words per minute, as this would mean that it would take a child two seconds to decode each word.

“Instead of trying to teach students to read faster, it is essential to make certain that they are able to decode easily and continuously, and to maintain their concentration,” Shanahan wrote.

What is the Average Reading Speed by Grade Level

Parents might be focused on encouraging their child to hit benchmarks. Yet, the definition of slower reading speed might still be debatable. However, there are still published data points related to the number of words per minute that a child in each grade will read. Data for reading speed is often presented as either a single number or a number range per grade level.

Reading A-Z offers a data table to help parents understand the range associated with each grade level. The site also breaks down the numbers throughout the year (so Fall, winter, spring). There are different tests that can measure reading fluency rates. By the end of each grade level, here’s the typical target range for readers (per Rasinski):

• First Grade: 30 to 90 words per minute

• Second Grade: 70 to 130 words per minute

• Third Grade: 80 to 140 words per minute

• Fourth Grade: 90 to 140 words per minute

• Fifth Grade: 100 to 150 words per minute

• Sixth Grade: 110 to 160 words per minute

There is overlap between grades related to the average words per minute. In addition, the range for other tests may differ.

By the time a student reaches the age of 18 (or college), the expected reading speed is about 280 words per minute.

Speed Reading vs. Reading Speed

Shanahan mentioned speed reading in his article and his experience with the class. He noted that the class didn’t increase his speed and explained that it focused more on scanning through the text. This probably isn’t the goal that parents have in mind when they want their child to read faster.

Parents also likely don’t want their child to read so fast that their brain can’t comprehend the ideas because it’s so focused on speeding up the process. Yet, parents do want their child to be able to easily decode text and understand what they read.

There are ways to help children become more fluent readers, and these exercises also could help them read a little faster, too. Some children, though, might need more time to think about text. And some passages may be more difficult to read than others…depending on content.

Practicing could help children develop fluency. One exercise that parents can use to help children boost their speed is to encourage their child to read a passage out loud. Parents set a timer for a minute and encourage children to read the passage. Parents will need to keep track of any mistakes during the exercise. Words that are mispronounced are counted off of the final words per minute tabulation. At the end of the minute, parents need to count up all the words the child reads correctly for their final ‘words per minute’ rate.

Sounds complicated? Parents also could take an easier approach. Encourage children to read aloud every day. This can help them hear their pronunciations and parents also could offer help. Practicing also can help children gain confidence.

There are unique ways to encourage children to read aloud, too. Some animal shelters invite children to read to the animals. Why? As many shelters note, pets won’t correct mistakes. Children can read to the animals without fear of judgment or embarrassment. This environment might help them feel more secure and confident. Plus, the animals receive attention. There may be a cost associated with these programs, though.

Children also can read aloud to younger siblings. Reading aloud to a younger brother and sister can introduce younger children to new stories while allowing the older sibling to practice reading. Again, younger siblings likely won’t judge.

Slow Reading and Decoding Issues

Slow reading rates could be associated with decoding issues. Children who struggle to pronounce words would obviously need to read slower as they work to decode each word in the text. When parents are reading with children, they may notice that their child is struggling to decipher the text.

Children might be identified by the school with reading struggles, or they might be diagnosed with a learning disorder (from a specialist). Some children might receive more intervention in the classroom, while others could be offered more intense reading assistance by a specialist at the school. Others, though, might not be far enough behind to qualify for additional help.

If parents notice that their child is struggling to read and is really having difficulty decoding grade-level text, the school might be the first contact. Parents might be told that their child is reading below grade level or the teacher might have additional data to share.

Whether or not a child receives additional help at school could depend on a number of factors. Parents might choose to help their child at home. Tutors, reading intervention programs and reading apps could help children with reading struggles.

There are many programs that parents can use to help children at home. Readability provides a comprehensive approach to reading; the program helps children with both fluency and comprehension. Lessons require children to read aloud, and the program includes a built-in AI tutor that helps children if they struggle with pronunciation. The tutor will also ask questions at the end of each story to gauge comprehension.

Readability provides parents with a snapshot of their child’s reading data via a Parent Dashboard. Only parents have access to this section, and it includes a child’s reading rate (words per minute), their reading level and their time on the program. Parents also can compile all this reading data into a report that can be sent to the child’s school or teacher.

Not every program will be the perfect fit for each child. But parents can try out Readability at no cost for a week to better understand the features and capabilities. Sign up today!