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

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

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

• Interactive content

• Multi-sensory learning

• Leveled and age-appropriate stories

• A tool to measure progress

• Vocabulary skills review

The Guide to Choosing the Best App to Help Reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interactive Content

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

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

Multi-Sensory Learning

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

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

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

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

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

Leveled and Age-Appropriate Stories

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

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

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

A Tool that Measures Progress

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

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

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

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

Vocabulary Skills Review

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

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

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

Reading Programs and Accelerated Reader

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Introduce comic books or graphic novels

• Let the listen to books as they read

• Create a rewards system for reading

• Ditch the clock

• Let children choose their own books

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

Why Does the Child Dislike Reading?

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

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

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

Introduce Comic Books and Graphic Novels

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

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

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

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

Let Children Listen and Read

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

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

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

Create a Reward System

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

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

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

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

Ditch the Clock

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

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

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

Embrace Freedom of Choice

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

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

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

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

Use a Reading App to Help Children Enjoy Reading

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

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

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

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

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

Reading fluency is how accurately and smoothly an individual reads text. Fluency is measured in words per minute, and, while some read slower or faster, there is an average reading fluency for each grade level. For younger students, memorizing a list of sight words is a necessary requirement and this exercise also can help increase fluency.

Children in second grade are beginning to decode harder words and working on learning additional sight words. If parents are wondering “how can I help my 2nd grader with reading fluency?,” there are a number of ways to provide enrichment and guide children on fluency.

• Practice reading aloud daily

• Do timed readings

• Encourage sight word mastery through flashcards and games

• Practice with poetry

• Reread books

• Encourage leveled reading

What is the Average Fluency for Second Grade?

Reading fluency isn’t a reading measurement the school will always report back home to parents. Typically, schools will send a reading report home that details their child’s reading level and how they scored in different areas of literacy.

Reading fluency is measured in words read per minute. Schools could measure fluency by having a child read a section of text aloud for one minute. Mispronounced words are deducted from the word total. What is the average fluency for a second grader?

According to Reading Rockets, children in the beginning of second grade will read about 50 to 60 words per minute. However, by the end of the year, the site notes that fluency should boost to 90 words per minute.

By adulthood, most individuals will read about 250 words per minute. However, some people might stray a bit from this average. College students read about 300 words per minute.

How Can Parents Understand Their Child’s Reading Fluency?

Parents can discover their child’s reading fluency by conducting a reading fluency test at home. Choose a paragraph of about 100 words. Have the child read the paragraph for one minute—make sure to set a stopwatch. Parents should have a copy of the paragraph, too.

As the child reads, parents can mark any word that was read incorrectly. Parents also should mark where their child stopped reading. Count up the words (minus errors) to discover how many words the child read per minute.

One test might not be completely accurate, but it can help parents better understand a child’s overall fluency.

How to Increase Reading Fluency

There are many ways to help children to increase both their reading fluency and their reading confidence. Reading regularly is the best way to help a child practice their fluency; ideally, children should be reading every day.

Timed and Recorded Readings

Parents also can do timed readings to help their child read confidently and smoothly. Timed readings are the same concept as the fluency test. Parents will have the child read a paragraph or section of a book or story for one minute.

The goal is that children should gain fluency the more they practice reading the story or paragraph. It might be common for children to make a mistake the first few times they read a section aloud.

Practicing every day can help children feel more confident with reading aloud. In addition, parents can tape children as they read and play the recording back to them. Hearing their own reading might help them understand errors or make changes to inflection.

For some children, though, the auditory feedback is simply a great teaching tool. Many children are auditory learners, and listening to their recorded reading could be beneficial for them.

Practice Sight Words

Mastering sight words also could help children increase their fluency. Sight words are words that are incredibly common in most books and stories. The Dolch List of Sight Words includes 220 common words that children learn to recognize immediately in text.

The list is divided into grade-level lists that children are expected to memorize each year. Typically, sight word lists are required from kindergarten through third grade.

To help children master these words, encourage them to practice their list every day. Parents can use flashcards or game-based apps to help children practice and learn to memorize these words.

Parents also could create sight word games at home. Make two cards of each word on a child’s list and play Sight Word Match. Play Sight Word ‘Go Fish’ by creating four cards of each word (play the game per the usual rules). Playing games is a fun way to facilitate learning.

Practice with Poetry

Reading Rockets recommends poetry for helping children with fluency. Poems are typically written with a melodic cadence or with rhyming words. There are many poets that focus on children’s poetry. One of the most popular children’s poets is Shel Silverstein.

Encourage children to read a poem. Let them choose something fun and silly or maybe a poem that is a bit more serious. Have children read the poem silently and then encourage them to read it aloud.

Poetry can be read differently by each individual. Some poems are written with a specific rhythm that the reader cannot help but adopt. Others, though, are written in a more abstract form, giving the reader a more interpretive voice.

Since poetry is shorter than a standard story, children also might not feel as overwhelmed reading these snippets of text. Check out the local library to find books of children’s poetry.

Read Books Again and Again

Reading Rockets also recommends encouraging children to re-read their favorite books. Practice makes perfect, and rereading a book can help children read it better and more fluently. Maybe they stumbled on a difficult word the first time. However, when a child reads the book a few more times, they can identify the word without stumbling.

Rereading books, stories and sections of stories also is a great way to help with comprehension, too. Sometimes rereading can help children identify areas of a story that they didn’t understand or perhaps they missed some key details.

Read Books at the Right Level

Children might have difficulty with fluency if they are reading books that are too difficult. Parents should make sure their child is choosing books that are within their reading level.

While children should choose their own books, it’s important that those books are challenging but not beyond their reading ability. Books that are too advanced might simply frustrate a child, and they might struggle to understand what they are reading.

Parents who are unsure about their child’s reading level can reach out to their child’s teacher.

Use a Reading App to Help Monitor and Boost Fluency

A reading app like Readability also can help children who struggle with reading fluency. With Readability, children read books and stories aloud. The app includes a built-in AI tutor that learns the child’s voice and helps guide lessons.

When a child reads a story and struggles with a word, the AI tutor will recognize that the child needs help and will provide assistance. At the end of each story, the tutor also will ask questions about what the child read. This is how the tutor measures comprehension.

Every time a child reads a story in Readability, the tutor also measures reading fluency. Parents can follow their child’s reading progress through a private portal in the app called the Parent Dashboard. This will show parents how many words their child reads per minute (fluency), comprehension ability and reading level, too.

Readability also will help parents understand how long children are reading. The app tracks reading time; parents can visit the Parent Dashboard to review how long their child has read every day (or week).

Parents who are interested in using a reading app to help boost their child’s fluency don’t have to commit to a program. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that lets children explore all the features of the program, including the AI tutor. Sign up for a trial today and start exploring and engaging with Readability!

Children in kindergarten may be introduced to the basics of reading. Lists of sight words, phonics exercises and learning the basics of comprehension might be part of the reading curriculum. Children may use worksheets in class to review different literacy concepts and gain mastery.

How can parents help kindergartners at home, though, without treating books like homework? Parents wondering how to help kindergartner read for fun can use different activities, games and reading exercises to help them discover books and stories. The trick to make reading fun for kindergartners is all about expanding and exploring the reading journey. Here are a few ideas:

Let kindergartners pick out their books each day

• Use reading rewards

• Read everywhere

• Play sight word games

• Talk about stories

• Explore the library

• Explore sounds through songs and poetry

• Use reading apps

Why Parents Should Let Kindergartners Choose their Books

At school, children’s book selections might be based on their reading level. At home, parents might be a bit more relaxed. Let children choose their own books from their bookshelf to give children power over their reading experience and enjoy their journey. While some books might be beyond their reading level, parents can read it to them.

Hearing books that are more difficult can introduce children to new vocabulary. However, when parents are reading a more difficult book to their child, they should ask their child questions and talk about the story, too.

What if children want to read the same book over and over? While repetition could seem exhausting to parents, children might just love that story. Re-reading it can help them discover new details or master more certain words.

When children want to keep reading the same book, let them. However, parents can tell children that they also have to pick one new book after they read a favorite book. Some old friends are simply comforting.

Use Reading Rewards

Reading is fun. Some children, though, might have difficulty with reading and might not want to read regularly. Parents can set up a reading rewards system at home to help motivate less enthusiastic readers.

Children can make a reading chart and place a sticker for each book they read. The chart also could mark reading minutes; parents can use a system that works best for their child. With a rewards program, parents will need to indicate at what levels the child receives a reward.

What will parents use for rewards? Parents can offer extra screen time or maybe small prizes. Privileges could be motivating for some children while others would prefer tangible rewards like a fun eraser, bookmark, etc.

Read Everywhere

Reading isn’t just about books and stories. Encourage children to read different materials and to try to read everywhere. What cereal are they looking at in the store? Can they read the name? Ask them what a sign says above a door.

Parents also can let children read beyond books and stories. Magazines and comic books help with reading, too. Some children may prefer to read comic books. However, not all comics are designed for younger children.

Play Sight Word Games

Kindergarteners will begin to memorize a list of sight words. These are words they will need to recognize on sight. Parents can help children memorize these words using fun games.

Play sight word matches together. Parents can make two cards of each sight word. Take turns flipping over cards and making matches. Children should say the word when they flip over the card.

Simple flashcards also help children master sight words. Play with flashcards every night until children don’t stumble on any words.

Parents also can create Sight Word Go Fish. Make four cards of each sight word. Play according to the standard rules of Go Fish, but ask for sight words.

Talk About Stories

When reading together, parents can talk to children about the story or book. Ask children questions about the character or what they think will happen next. Parents can ask the ‘w/h’ questions: who, what, where, when, why and how.

Don’t turn story time into a quiz, though. Keep the conversation fun and light. Encourage children to ask questions, too. Ask them if they liked the story. Why or why not? Explain to children that they might not like every book they read and that’s ok.

Explore the Library

The local library is an amazing resource filled with books, magazines, audio books and even events. Take children to the library and let them explore the children’s section and check out a few new books.

Ask about events like story time or other activities for children. Consider bringing children to the library to participate in events that explore reading beyond books—for example, some story time events offer crafts and other fun activities.

Children also can explore audiobooks or magazines, too. Teach children about library etiquette, how to use their quiet voices and put books back where they were found. Parents also can help kindergarteners learn how books are organized in the library.

Explore Sounds through Songs and Poetry

In kindergarten, children are learning to decode words and how sounds blend together. There are many tools to help children identify letter sounds and sound blends. Sing songs or watch fun kid-themed music videos on YouTube.

Reading poetry also can help children understand rhyming and cadence, too. There are many poets who write for a younger audience; some of these poems are silly and just fun. Children also can make up their own poems.

Use Reading Apps

Apps are another great resource for parents to use at home to help kindergarteners read. When searching for apps via Google Play or the App Store, though, parents should be specific in their hunt. For example, searching just for reading apps will produce extensive results.

Instead, parents can search for specific reading activities or skills. For children who need to practice their sight words, parents can search for sight word games or sight word activities. Some apps also can help children with letters and sounds, and there are even apps for other reading needs, too.

Some apps might be free, and even apps that come with a price are fairly inexpensive. However, many of these apps are games. Not all of them are designed to guide the reading journey.

Parents who need a lesson-based reading app can use Readability. The app is designed for children in preschool through fifth grade. With Readability, children read stories aloud. The app includes a built-in AI tutor that guides lessons and provides help when children stumble; the AI tutor recognizes each child’s voice.

At the end of each story, the tutor also asks questions about what the child read to gauge their understanding. If they don’t answer a question correctly, the tutor will show them the text in the story that provides a key to the answer. The tutor also reads this section aloud. Children then have another chance to answer the question.

Readability is leveled to each child’s ability. If parents don’t know their child’s reading level, the program will discover it. Children only advance to the next level when they are ready.

Apps like Readability can help parents provide a fun and enriching resource to guide their child’s reading journey at home. Readability also encourages children to listen to their favorite stories with a feature called Storytime that reads to children!

Not every program is a fit for every child. Parents who are interested in exploring Readability with their kindergartener can sign up for a free seven-day trial period to gain access to all the program’s features.

All children should be reading regularly. While parents can use apps, worksheets, games and activities to encourage reading and develop literacy, sometimes the nightly reading minutes and enrichment can feel less than entertaining.

When kids seem to be bored with reading traditional books or stories, encourage them to read other materials. Expand the path of the reading journey to help children find materials that they like reading. Provide kids reading help by using these alternative reading materials:

• Magazines

• Comics

• Newspapers

• Graphic Novels

• Manuals

All Reading is Beneficial

Many parents encourage their children to read books. Parents can empower children to read books that they enjoy and that interest them. Take children to the library and let them walk around the children’s section and explore different options. Help them find books at their reading level that appeal to them.

However, parents should understand that reading encompasses text beyond bound books. Consider mixing up the media to encourage children to explore different interests.

While it might be tempting for parents to ‘assign’ a book to their child to get them to read, picking a book for a child can take away the joy. In school, especially in upper elementary grades, children may be assigned specific books.

At home, let children have the power of selection. This even means letting children read alternative media in the library beyond the standard books.

Magazines

At the library, let children explore the magazine section; parents can focus on magazine titles that are geared towards children.

Popular magazine titles for children include Highlights, Ranger Rick, and National Geographic for Kids. However, there are many other magazines for children. In addition, some children might even gravitate to magazines related to specific interests like science and technology.

Children’s magazines might include a mix of nonfiction articles. Others could include short stories. Many have games or activities, too. Let children read and explore magazines and talk to them about what they read and what they learned.

Comics

The comics section in daily newspapers has thinned out over time. However, these short story snippets can be fun and easy for children to read. Some comics are funny, but others are based on family life or other topics.

Comic books tell a longer story. Some children may be very into a particular comic book character and also could enjoy collecting the comic book series.

Comic books could be a great reading option for children because they include lots of illustrations. These pictures help show the action of the story and the visual context could be beneficial if children are struggling with comprehension.

Not all comic books are appropriate for younger audiences, though. Parents may research different options to ensure that children can find an age-appropriate comic book on their reading level.

The site Childhood 101 compiled a list of the best comic books for children ages 6 to 13. Titles include Catwad by Jim Benton, Wallace the Brave by Will Henry, and many others.

Newspapers

Some children want to be journalists when they grow up. They may gravitate towards reading newspapers. Typically, newspaper articles are shorter and written on a level that is easy to read. These articles have to be written at a reading level that is accessible to a wide audience.

Let children explore their local paper. They can read stories about their community and learn about local events, too.

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are part book and part comic. They can be a perfect hybrid medium for children who need illustrations to break up larger chunks of story text. Graphic novels tell the story in pictures and in words—much like a comic book.

Children can now read Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitter’s Club series in graphic novel form. Dav Pilkey also has created many great graphic novels for kids—including Dog Man.

Even adults can read graphic novels. In fact, NPR compiled a list of favorite comics and graphic novels. These illustrated stories can help children see the story as it unfolds. Graphic novels show children the characters in the story; children may like that they can see a visual depiction of the character and better understand the world of the story.

Manuals, Guides and Other Books

Some children love tech languages. They may really enjoy reading ‘how to’ guides or even instruction manuals. Children have different interests and this can carry over into their reading habits.

If a child wants to read a manual aimed at a tech audience, let them. Ask them about what they are learning. Parents might be surprised at what they can pick up from these unique materials.

Let children explore different resource books. Maybe they love to read old encyclopedias. Perhaps they want a tech book focused on a specific product. Some children want to read all about engineering or even architecture.

There are travel books focused on different sites in a specific country. There are books on artists or particular works of art.

There are children who love to read about the weather. They may want to read beyond simple stories of thunderstorms and clouds. They may gravitate towards more advanced material or books that go into detail about specific weather phenomena.

Sometimes parents will see a child reading a manual and think that it’s boring or that the child shouldn’t read it. To the child, though, that manual could be entertainment or it could just pique their interest. If a child has the ability to comprehend what they are reading, let them read the manual. All books encourage learning and exploration.

How Do Alternative Reading Materials Help Children?

All reading can help children. Most teachers encourage children to read every day. Some teachers will even tell parents that they don’t care what the child reads; they simply want them to read.

Every written medium—books, newspapers, comics, magazines, etc.—can help provide information in a unique way. Books can be fiction or nonfiction. Magazines may have a specific focus and might include interviews, informative articles, nonfiction stories and even games. Newspapers include events and articles about a local region. 

Comics are often humorous and tell the story through pictures and words (thought bubbles). Even manuals and guides help children learn about different places, technology or something else entirely.

No matter what a child reads, parents should talk to them about it. Ask questions about what they liked or what they didn’t like. What did they learn from the newspaper articles? What was their favorite article in their magazine? What did the manual teach them?

Parents might view alternative reading materials as inferior to a classic book. Yet, any medium that encourages a child to read can be beneficial in that it helps the child to love the written word. When a child understands that reading is fun, parents have won the hardest part of the battle.

When children come home from school and parents are reminding them to do their nightly reading minutes, ask them what they want to read. Give them options beyond books. Present children with choices: books, magazines, comics, etc. Then see what they choose.

Reading is a journey, and every medium helps children discover a different part of that journey. Let children go on an adventure, and let them choose the path that they take. Then watch where the journey takes them.

For many children, the reading journey begins when they start kindergarten. However, parents might not realize that children start familiarizing with words and letters much sooner. Every time children hear stories read aloud, they are beginning their journey into reading.

Children learn to read at different ages. Some children take longer to master decoding, but others start reading at a very young age. Here’s how to help kids read before kindergarten and appreciate a love of stories and books, too:

• Read to children every day

• Play alphabet and word games

• Take children to the library

• Empower children to choose their own books

• Reread favorite stories

• Ask questions while reading

• Tell stories

Preschoolers and Reading

Helping kids read before kindergarten shouldn’t be focused on pushing them to read fluently or even to master skills before they are ready. Instead, parents should simply help younger children learn to appreciate books and stories so they can enjoy reading and understand that stories are an adventure in words.

Pushing children to read before they are ready could result in frustration, and children might even begin to view books negatively. Parents can take cues from their child as they explore books together; some children may be excited to start sounding out words or trying to read on their own.

Some children might just love to hear stories read aloud. They might enjoy the experience of listening to these adventures.

Read to Children Everyday

Read to preschoolers every day. Parents can designate a special story time after lunch, before a nap or even as part of the bedtime routine. Listening to stories helps children learn new vocabulary.

In fact, by the time they start kindergarten, children who read five books a day have heard 1.4 million more words than children whose parents didn’t read to them. This is known as the “one-million word gap.”

Play Alphabet and Word Games

Children learn through play. Use alphabet games to help introduce children to the fundamentals of reading. Help children learn their alphabet by singing the alphabet song. 

Parents can also play alphabet match games with children. Make two cards for each letter (one uppercase and one lowercase). Take turns flipping over the cards; say the letter when the card is flipped.

Some children can enjoy playing match games with words and pictures, too. For example, parents can make match games with common sight words. Parents who don’t feel crafty also can buy match games.

Take Children to the Library

Preschoolers aren’t too young for the library. Take them to the library and let them explore the children’s section. Encourage children to pick out a few books that interest them. The library can help children find books that introduce new characters, new ideas and new adventures, too.

Some public libraries host story time for young children. This is a great way for children to hear new stories, meet new friends and participate in fun activities, too.

Many libraries offer reading programs during the summer to encourage reading and help make sure that children don’t fall down the summer slide. These programs might award prizes to children when they hit certain reading milestones. Parents can explore all the different programs and activities offered by their local library.

Let Children Pick Their Books

Many preschoolers are just learning their alphabet or might be reading simple stories. When children are at the library or at the bookstore, parents should let them pick out their own books. This can help children feel empowered in their reading journey and select books that interest them.

If children pick out books that are too difficult, parents can read them aloud. The joy of letting children pick out their own books is that sometimes their choices might surprise parents. The books children choose may help parents better understand their child’s unique interests.

Re-read Favorite Stories

Adults might have a favorite book that they’ve read over and over. It’s also not uncommon for children to want to hear the same book read to them again and again. Let children re-read their favorite books.

Re-reading books is a great way to help children spot new details or even learn to master simple words they see in the story. Sometimes children just love a certain character.

While parents should also encourage children to read a variety of books, mixing in old favorites with new stories can be comforting.

Ask Questions and Talk about the Story

When reading to preschoolers, parents should talk about the book and the characters. Ask children questions about what they think will happen next. If they are reading or listening to parents read a favorite book, children might know exactly what comes next!

Talking about a book helps children think about the story. Parents can even ask questions after finishing the story. Ask children about their favorite character. Did they like the story? What was their favorite part?

Parents Can Tell Stories to their Children, Too

Stories don’t have to be written and bound. Parents can tell stories to children about their childhood. Parents also can make up stories with their children.

When driving in the car, parents can start a story and have children continue it. Go back and forth adding to the story and creating fun adventures. This is a bit like playing Mad Libs. Who knows what turn the story will take?

Should Parents Use Formal Reading Programs for Preschoolers?

Not all children are ready to read before kindergarten. Exposing them to books and stories, though, can help prepare children for reading.

What if children are interested in reading and have started to decode simple words, should parents use formal reading programs to encourage their reading abilities? If children are interested in reading and are sounding out words independently, parents could use reading programs that are designed for preschoolers and younger readers.

Readability can be used from preschool through fifth grade, and this means that the program can grow with the child’s reading abilities. Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that features voice recognition technology. The tutor learns each child’s voice.

Stories are read aloud with Readability. If a preschooler has difficulty with a word, the tutor provides help. At the end of each story, the tutor also asks questions to gauge the child’s comprehension.

Each Readability book also includes a list of vocabulary words. However, Readability encourages children to explore every word in the story. Children can tap a word and hear the definition or they can hear the word used in a sentence. Young readers can access all the words they discover via their word bank.

How do parents know the best reading level for their child? Readability can help determine the ideal beginning reading level; this ensures that the lessons won’t be too hard for very young readers.

Preschoolers also can listen to their favorite stories with Readability’s Storytime feature. Children can listen to stories in the car, on vacation or at home. If parents don’t have time to read to their children, Readability can read to them!

Let Children Guide the Reading Journey

Not all children will decode words before kindergarten, and not all children will express interest in learning to read at a young age. However, reading to children every day exposes them to new words and new ideas and adventures.

Children who are read to every day will have a vocabulary advantage before they hit kindergarten. In addition, exposure to books also helps children enjoy reading. Encouraging the love of stories can be an important step in facilitating the next step of the reading journey.