Most children are in the habit of reading every day. For many students, nightly reading is a requirement. These nightly reading minutes range typically between 15 to 30 minutes. Some children who love to read might look forward to picking up a book after school. Children who dislike reading, though, or who struggle with reading might dread those books.

Parents looking for ways to encourage children to read might offer rewards or implement fun reading activities. However, parents also could help children understand that reading affects them beyond the classroom. How does reading help you? Here are 10 ways that reading is beneficial to our minds, bodies…and can even make us happy!

1.   Every book can be an adventure

Children can travel anywhere with a good book. Do they want to swim underwater? Maybe travel to another country? Books can be a magical passport to anywhere in the world, and no one has to leave their home.

Visit the library or encourage children to explore their school’s library to uncover books about cool places and destinations. Have them make a list of places in the world that they’d like to visit. Then help them pick books about those sites and countries. Ask children what they learned from their book trip. Were there any new foods that they’d like to try that they read about in their book? Parents can also take children to a local art museum to discover artists from different countries, too. Consider it a book field trip!

Books also can introduce children to planes, trains and even ships. Explore and read about different modes of travel for a fully immersive reading adventure.

2.   Books introduce new ideas

Life is full of different ideas and experiences. Where we live might expose us to a limited number of opinions, cultures or habits. However, books can open up so many new ideas, cultures and experiences.

Books can introduce children to what life was like during the Great Depression. Children can learn about medieval times, and how people lived, worked and even bathed back then.

Explore ancient Egypt and the land of the Pharaohs. Read about Cleopatra. Or introduce children to age-appropriate Greek myths. There are books on religion and philosophies, too. Families can use their own culture or ancestral knowledge to encourage children to explore their roots.

Sometimes children ask parents questions they can’t understand about life, society or other cultures. Use the question to help them learn. Find a book that delves deeper and helps them understand their world…and find the answers they seek.

3.   Reading helps us learn new subjects

A child might not be learning about rocks and minerals in class, but maybe they love collecting those pebbles and rocks. Books can help children understand their world and find answers to questions about their world. Grab a book about geology. Or a book that shows different minerals and rocks so that children can identify them.

There are books about botany and weather. Children can learn more about astronomy. Or even the economy. Yes, there can be age-appropriate and grade-level books about anything that suits a child’s interest. Parents just have to look. And librarians love to help! Just ask!

4.   Reading expands vocabulary

Studies have shown that children in kindergarten who were read to every day (five books per day) were exposed to one million more words than children whose parents didn’t read to them. Books help develop vocabulary.

When children pick up a new book, there is a good chance that they will be exposed to new words, too. Buy them a child-friendly dictionary and encourage them to look up words they don’t know. Pretty soon, they will have a vast vocabulary.

5.   Books can change the way we see the world

Opinions can change, and books can change minds. Exploring new books can help children see their world differently. Maybe they read a book about a child with a disability and this helps them understand how another child explores their world.

Books open up children and adults to new ideas. Talk to children when reading to them. Ask the questions. Have them think about characters and places. Open up a dialogue.

6.   Reading can help us make new friends

Yes, characters in a book can feel like friends. However, books can help children and adults make friends, too. How? Books can be a common interest. Maybe children join a book club and meet new friends. Or maybe another child sees a book in their hand and asks them about it. Books can open up conversation.

7.   Books can help bridge differences

If books can start conversations, they also might be able to bridge some differences, too. Maybe a book helped a child see another individual in a different perspective. Or perhaps children who didn’t really have much in common suddenly discover that they both love a favorite author. Sometimes commonalities are hidden between the bindings of a book.

8.   Books can help us escape

Books and stories are an adventure. Sometimes when the day has been long and stressful, or when everything feels like it’s just going wrong, a book can help us escape. Suddenly children can enter another realm. They may be reading about unicorns. Or maybe a favorite cartoon character. Do they get lost in a book about a child their own age? Or perhaps they find themselves reading about ancient rulers.

Reading can be a mini vacation for the mind. Adults know that it can be fun to escape into a good book. Beach reads are popular for a reason! So are fairy tales!

9.   Books can make us laugh

While books can be a good escape, they also can help children find some joy…and a good laugh, too. On a rainy day that’s glum and just miserable, open up a humorous book. Read some fun poetry. Dive into a book that’s silly. Books don’t have to just be serious. They can be comical. They can be gross. And they can make us laugh until our belly hurts!

10.   Reading is a workout!

No, reading doesn’t build muscles in the arms or legs…but it helps the brain! Reading is a great workout for the brain. In addition, Healthline reports that it also can boost empathy, help with cognitive decline as we age, can help with depression and even aid with falling asleep.

While there are many more ways that reading can be beneficial, children might be surprised to know that cracking open a book benefits them beyond just checking off their daily assignment. However, children who struggle with reading might still find it a challenge to open up a book and get excited to read.

If children are falling behind their peers, parents can embrace the tech side of reading. Apps and programs like Readability can be used via a phone, table or computer. Readability provides an immersive reading experience that can appeal to children who don’t want anything to do with a bound book. Readability also includes a built-in AI tutor that helps guide children as they read. When children demonstrate proficiency with both reading fluency and comprehension, they move to a more difficult reading level.

Children can learn and explore words in each story, too. If they don’t know what a word means in a story, they simply click on the word and the program will define it. Readability ensures that children are exposed to new words so they continue to grow their vocabulary skills.

Readability also includes both fiction and nonfiction stories. Children can learn about new places, faces and experiences while growing their reading skills and becoming more confident readers.

Interested in trying Readability at home? Sign up for a free seven-day trial and start exploring new ideas through online reading adventures!

Developing reading skills at a young age can help children as they enter preschool and kindergarten; exposure to stories also has been shown to help develop vocabulary. In fact, a study conducted by Ohio State University showed that children whose parents read to them (five books per day) took in more than one million more words than those children whose parents didn’t read to them.

Hearing words, per the study, could help with recognition when children are exposed to those words in school. Teaching children to learn to read can start early; here are 10 tips on how to help kids learn to read…even before they begin kindergarten.

1. Read every day!

The number one tip nods to the Ohio State study. Read to children every day! Aim for reading five books per day. When reading to young children, these books can be short in length. However, some children also could enjoy longer stories.

While many families might have a bookshelf filled with books, it’s also great to introduce new books. This is a great time to start visiting the local library. If parents don’t already have a library card, think about getting one! Then take children to the library each week to check out new books.

Let them choose the stories they want to hear or read. Each night, read a variety of books…including the new options from the library. Parents also could choose to read chapter books to children; just be sure that they aren’t too complicated. Some stories could be difficult for younger children to follow.

Exposure to new words is beneficial, and hearing all those new words can give them an advantage when they begin kindergarten.

2. Play word games

Rhyming words could help children with sounds, and these words allow children to find words that sound similar. Play word games with children to help them identify words with similar sounds.

Ask children to find words that rhyme with other words. Going on an errand? Find a word and use that as the focus. Maybe the child has to think of a word that rhymes with ring.

Parents also could go on a sound scavenger hunt. Pick a letter from the alphabet and encourage children to find different objects that start with that letter.  This can be a fun game to play at stores.

3. Practice the alphabet with children

Learning the alphabet can be one of the first steps in reading. Children need to identify all the letters (upper and lowercase) in the alphabet and understand the sounds each letter makes.

Parents can sing the alphabet song with children. They can also help children practice writing the alphabet or simply learn to identify the letters. There are many learning toys, puzzles and games that can be a fun way for children to practice their alphabet identification.

Children can also learn to trace letters in sand or use finger paints to make letters. These could be great sensory exercises, too. 

4. Sound it out

As children begin to learn the sounds of each letter, parents can help them practice their skills when reading short books. Parents can encourage children to begin to sound out words as they read together.

Easy words—also known as sight words—also could be committed to memory. Some early sight words that children will be expected to know in kindergarten include colors and numbers as well as simple words like I, Is, We, Yes, No, etc.

5. Play matching games

Parents also could buy (or make) a card matching game to help children practice word identification. Children should match the picture to the word. Or parents can write the words beneath the pictures. This could help children make the connection between the word and the object.

6. Download online apps

Whether parents have an iPhone or an Android, there are many apps that can be used to help young children practice reading skills. Many of these apps are designed as games, which makes phonics and reading lessons much more fun!

App-based games can go almost anywhere. Parents can download them on their smartphone or a tablet. Children can sit in the cart at the grocery store and practice their skills, and they can even play these word games while sitting on the bleachers during a sibling’s sports practice.

Learning to read doesn’t have to be focused on stringent lessons. Using games to practice letter identification and even to practice sight words can transform the lesson into a fun diversion.

While many games are free, some have a price. Some games also offer in-app purchases (which could result in surprise charges), but parents can turn off this option via their phone or device.

7. Tell stories

Getting children interested in reading and learning to read doesn’t have to always focus on scholastic-based skills. Telling stories could help children get interested in reading, too.

Parents can begin a story and take turns with children adding to that story. Create characters and plot twists. When someone gets stumped, then it might be time to end the story. Ask children how the story should end. And talk about the story the family created. 

As children get older, parents could encourage them to write their own stories. Create a book and have children design the cover with a colorful illustration. They also can add pictures inside their book, too. Staple it all together for their first published piece.

8. Visit a library storytime event

It takes a village to raise a child! Parents shouldn’t feel that they are the only ones who can stoke their child’s interest in books and stories. Research story time opportunities at the local library. Children can sit and listen to new stories, and then pick out more books after the event.

Some libraries even offer craft projects at their storytime events. Libraries also could host meet and greets with authors; meeting a favorite author also could be another way to boost a child’s interest in stories. Meet and greets help children put a face to the name of the author who writes their favorite books and stories.

9. Encourage children to participate in summer reading programs

When children enter school, they are constantly exposed to lessons and enrichment opportunities. Their days are spent learning and growing their skills. Unfortunately, when schools shut down for long breaks (like summer), some children might not have much exposure to books or other educational resources. The break and lack of educational enrichment might cause them to lose reading or math skills; this is called the summer slide.

Many local libraries host summer reading programs to encourage children to read during the long break. This can help ensure that kids don’t lose those skills…and could even help them boost their proficiency. To help combat learning losses, sign up children for summer reading programs and encourage them to read books during the long breaks. For younger children who are just learning to read, parents can read to them.

10. Use lesson-based reading programs

Some parents might want their younger children to have a lesson-based instruction in reading. They may notice that their child exhibits a precocious reading ability or simply has a well developed grasp of word and letter recognition.

Not every preschooler, however, is ready to read. Children may develop later than others. Yet, children who do have an excellent grasp of sounds, letters and word recognition may want to begin the next step in their reading journey.

Some children begin kindergarten reading fluently. These children might simply be natural readers; they may love books and stories. They may gravitate to words. Parents might decide to use a lesson-based reading program like Readability to move them ahead in their reading journey.

Readability is ideal for children in pre-K and through fifth grade. This means that children can use the program throughout elementary school to practice their reading skills. Parents can be assured that content is leveled to match their child’s ability. A preschooler will not be expected to read more difficult stories until they show mastery of easier text. 

Preschoolers also may enjoy the program’s immersive story content. Readability features colorful illustrations to break up the story text and help children picture the story as they read. The program also allows children to click on words to discover their meaning.

One of Readability’s hallmark features, though, is the built-in AI tutor. This personal tutor includes voice recognition software that allows it to understand each child’s voice. When a child reads, the tutor can help identify any pronunciation errors and offer assistance. The tutor also will ask questions at the end of each story to test a child’s comprehension of the book or story. 

When children show mastery of both story comprehension and reading fluency, they move to the next level within the program. Parents can follow their child’s individual reading journey via a portal called the Parent Dashboard. This displays the child’s reading level, words read per minute and the length of time the child used Readability. Parents can also transform this data into a reading report that can be emailed to the child’s teacher.

Many preschoolers are beginning to discover the early fundamentals of reading. For parents who feel that their child is ready to begin reading stories on their own, Readability could be a great option to provide precocious readers with a formalized reading platform.

Not every program is right for every child, and parents may be researching the pricing and features of different programs. Readability allows parents to try out the program with their child for free for seven days; this lets children explore the program and become familiar with the AI tutor.  

Interested in using Readability to move a young reader to the next level? Try Readability today!

Families all have unique financial circumstances. When children struggle in core subjects like math and science, parents often look for different programs to help their child. The budget can be a barrier, though, especially for more expensive or intense programs. Private tutoring also could be beyond the family’s financial means.

There are many budget-friendly programs to help kids read. These programs can be used at home or on the go, thanks to the internet.

Defining Budget-Friendly

Every family might have their own definition of budget-friendly. When looking at budget-friendly programs, we’ll look at those costing $20 or less a month. Even better? Some can be free!

Parents also might want to look at the yearly cost, although budgeting per month might be easier. For example, a program that costs $20 per month adds up to $240 per year. However, paying per month might be easier to manage for some families versus a program that charges a per year subscription fee.

Every reading or learning program could have a different financial structure. Families need to understand payment obligations before committing. Typically, though, programs are up-front about their fees and costs. If the pricing isn’t listed on a website, drop the company an email. Most companies are happy to provide a quote.

No Budget: School Programs and Free Apps

Some families might not have any extra money per month to spend on enrichment programs for their child. In this situation, they may want to reach out to the school to see if their child qualifies for any reading intervention programs.

Children might need to be tested or evaluated to determine if they qualify for additional help or programs through the school. This might or might not include being evaluated for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan. What’s the difference between the two? While the IEP focuses on ensuring a child with a disability receives specialized instruction, the 504 Plan is focused on accommodations for children with disabilities. Administrators can help parents understand what option might be best for a child.

For families who know or have documented proof of their child’s reading struggles but cannot afford private programs might try contacting the school as a first step. There also could be free tutoring programs available, too. However, the school or school district could be a powerful resource in finding these opportunities.

In the meantime, parents also could use free apps or online sites to help their child with reading. There are many different free apps available and some sites also post free content. Parents looking for the best free app for their child might want to focus on apps that help their child’s particular reading struggle.

There are many apps that can help younger children practice sight words or even work on letter recognition. Some apps might be designed as games. Others could focus on reading comprehension.

When parents download free apps, though, they might want to be aware that some offer in-app purchases. This could lead to children making purchases while using the app. However, parents can turn off in-app purchases via their phone or device to ensure that no surprise charges appear on their monthly bill.

E-Readers

For parents who don’t have a high budget—or maybe any budget—for a reading program, e-readers also can be a free resource to help children read more. While e-readers don’t teach reading, they can be used for children who maybe don’t like standard books or for children who favor technology.

E-readers are typically pre-loaded onto phones or tablets, so parents shouldn’t have to pay for these resources. Many e-readers also allow parents or users to download free books. While the book variety might not include more popular titles, there are numerous free books that children can read via e-reader apps. And there are also many famous and well-known titles available for free through e-readers. Parents might have to just seek them out!

Budget-Friendly Subscription Apps

Parents whose children struggle with reading might opt for reading programs that offer more guidance and instruction to help their child gain proficiency. These apps might offer subscription packages that are billed monthly or yearly.

Some programs can be downloaded via an app for handheld devices like phones or tablets. Others might be accessible via a web-based platform or site. Each program might offer a unique structure, and parents might want to investigate several apps or programs to find the best choice for their child.

Programs might be priced as low as $20 per month. In fact, Readability is priced at $19.99 per month. Each account, however, can be used by up to three children. For parents with more than one child that needs reading assistance, the program can offer a financial benefit.

Some programs also offer help in different subjects, too. With certain programs, parents can gain access to both reading and math help for their child. This could be a benefit for parents whose children struggle with both core subjects.

Apps with Free Trials

Apps or reading programs might offer free trials to let parents and their children better understand how the app works and its content format. This is a great way for parents to let their children explore the program and see if they like it.

When using free trials, though, parents might wish to sit with their child to explore the program with them. This is also a good time to address any glitches or hiccups with the program. If, for some reason, the app isn’t working as it should, parents can contact the customer service department to troubleshoot the app.

Before signing up for a trial, parents also need to understand any limitations of the trial. Sometimes parents forget to cancel their trial during the stipulated time period and then are charged for the program. Parents should read the terms of the trial so that they understand if and when they might be billed. Many companies require a form of payment to access a free trial.

The Benefit of Reading Apps

Accessibility is one of the biggest benefits of using a reading app. Readability and other apps are downloaded to a device like a phone or a tablet. This means that children can access the app wherever there is a wifi signal or via a cellular network. However, parents should check their phone’s data plan to determine if data limitations are an issue.

For families who have unlimited data plans, children might use the program at a sibling’s sports practice, in the doctor’s office or maybe just in the car during a road trip. With programs like Readability, though, children will read content aloud…so parents might want to keep that in mind. Reading aloud might not be embraced during a band concert or a dance recital!

While families might have different financial limitations, there are many reading apps and programs that are budget-friendly. More basic apps might even be free to download! With free apps, however, parents might need to turn off ‘in-app purchases,’ as these apps might offer users items within the app. Parents who wish to purchase a subscription-based app can find several that are less than $20 per month. Apps might offer free trial periods, too, that enable children and their parents a way to test out the program and its lessons.

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

As the International Literacy Association explains “reading fluently does not mean reading fast.” What does it mean to be a fluent reader? Educators may measure fluency by finding out the words per minute children can read. Children are given a passage and the timer is set for a minute. Any mispronunciations are deducted from the words per minute read. But Reading Rockets explains that fluency entails being able to provide expressiveness, read at a quick pace (quickly isn’t fast) and to read the words with accuracy.

Parents can use apps to help with reading fluency or do reading exercises at home. Gaining fluency might help boost confidence, especially if a child has to read aloud in class. Children who read fluently can make intonation in their voice, read without stumbling over pronunciation and do all this at a reasonable pace.

What About Speed Reading?

Reading fast doesn’t mean fluent. Why? Think about it. A child who is reading as quickly as possible might not be thinking about the text, understanding it or even hearing their intonation of what is being read.

Reading isn’t a speed contest. Reading isn’t necessarily about how quickly a child or individual can read a book, a passage or a chapter. Adults know that if we read something too quickly, our brains might not have the time to comprehend what we’ve read. Although some people can read super fast and comprehend at the same time, this isn’t true for everyone.

While reading quickly or speed reading can be fun, working on fluency means helping children to properly pronounce words, read at a fluid pace and be expressive when they read. Stories read aloud are so much more fun with emotion! Even when we read in our heads silently, the brain may automatically emote while reading the text. Books are adventurous and writers can use their words to help convey certain emotions, actions and feelings.

Working on Fluency

Struggling readers might have an issue with fluency. Sometimes children may only struggle with this area. Maybe they can comprehend, but they simply have trouble reading without stumbling or they may not think to inflect emotion.

Parents can help children work on fluency at home. Daily reading exercises may help. And reading aloud is an easy way to work on fluency. Parents can ask a child’s teacher for worksheets with reading passages for children to use at home.

When working on fluency, parents can set a timer for one minute to gauge the number of words the child can read without error (aka words per minute). Children should read the passage until the timer stops. Parents will need to mentally track errors (or they may have a piece of paper to note this). After a minute, parents can subtract reading errors to find out how many words per minute were read.

However, words per minute don’t need to be the big picture. The goal of the exercise is to boost confidence, too. So unless parents desperately need to know words per minute, they may simply focus on having the child read passages aloud. Parents may encourage children to read a passage or a few passages aloud daily to practice their reading skills.

Reading Aloud During Storytime

Parents also can informally work with children to help them gain fluency. Most children are encouraged—or instructed—to read anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes each night.  

Children can be encouraged to read aloud during storytime (at bedtime or any time!). One technique that Understood recommends is having children read a sentence aloud, and parents can then mark chunks of the sentence for children to practice. Understood explains that children should take a pause at each mark-off that chunks the information. 

While reading, if parents notice that children aren’t inflecting emotion, they may also talk about how the character feels during the story. Help children talk about the action of the story and how these actions or events of the plot may impact the character. Ask the ‘wh’ questions. How does the character feel? What is happening in the story? Where or when does the story take place? Children and parents can also give each character a unique voice to set the story and differentiate who is speaking.  

Parents also can help children if they stumble on a word while reading. Parents can encourage children to sound out the word. Or parents and children can decipher the new word together. Some words just don’t follow any language rules. Even parents might stumble! Help children understand it’s ok to make mistakes but that practicing can help to feel more confident with reading.

Books on Tape

Books on tape could help children hear the narration, and, thus, the emotion of the story. Maybe parents listen to a book on tape in the car and have children follow along. Reading Rockets delved into the many possible benefits of listening to stories, including using audio books could help children identify humor in the story and even enjoy books that might be too advanced for their reading level.

Check the Reading Level

A child might be having difficulty reading a book fluently because the book is too advanced for their level. Check with the child’s teacher to find out the child’s appropriate reading level to find books that are ideal for their ability.

Reading levels might be noted with either a letter or a number. Parents can find charts online to show the correlation between the letter, number and grade-level behind reading levels. Reading A-Z provides a great chart for parents to use as a reference!

Can Game-Based Apps Help with Reading Fluency?

There are many free apps that parents can download. Some of these can be created like a game. Parents can find educational game apps to help their child with phonics and letter recognition. This might help children who struggle with sounds or blends.

Is there a free app to help with fluency? Parents may need to do a quick search to find a game app geared towards fluency…but there are apps that offer fun books that children could read to help them gain fluency. For example, the Dr. Seuss Treasury Kids Book app is the gateway to the fun rhyming cadence that is Dr. Seuss’ writing hallmark; reading Seuss books aloud could be a fun way for younger children. However, while the Seuss app is free to download, parents will need to purchase either all the books or a subscription to have access to the books.

Learning Apps to Help with Reading Fluency

Reading apps can help with reading fluency and improve reading. Some reading programs (like Readability) are designed to provide multimodal support for children who struggle to read. Readability helps children who struggle with comprehension, and the app also can help children who struggle with fluency.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor. This private tutor will help guide the reading lessons through the program. When working on lessons in Readability, children will need to read stories out loud. The program includes voice recognition software; this is beneficial because as the child reads, the software will adjust to each child’s voice and pronunciation. When a child doesn’t know a word or mispronounces a word, the tutor will provide feedback and correct the mistake.

As the child reads, the program also is gauging fluency. This will be broken down into words per minute. However, at the end of each story children also will be tested about what they’ve read. The AI tutor will ask questions about the story. Children do not move on to a higher and more difficult reading level until they’ve demonstrated proficiency in reading fluency and comprehension.

How do parents know if the program is helping their child? And are apps a reliable way to help struggling readers?

Parents might want to look for apps that offer data regarding their child’s progress with the program. For example, Readability has an area specifically for parents called the Parent Dashboard. This cannot be accessed by the child.

The Parent Dashboard compiles all the reading data for each user. Parents can see how many words their child reads per minute. They also can view how long their child used the program and their child’s reading level.

Efficacy of a program, though, also depends on how well the knowledge carries over into the classroom setting. Using Readability’s Parent Dashboard, parents can create a report that includes all their child’s reading data on the program. This report can be sent to the child’s teacher and can be used to further a dialogue about the child’s progress at school.

Before committing to a reading app or program, parents might want to investigate their options and even try out a program or two. Free trial periods might be offered for parents and children to explore the program and see if it’s a good choice. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period. During this time, children can read stories and become acquainted with their AI tutor. Parents can sit with children to view content and see how the program works.

To sign up for a free trial, parents simply need to fill out their information. Billing information will need to be included, too. Ready to try Readability? Sign up today!

Parents often juggle many roles. Some may work full-time or even juggle multiple jobs to ensure that all the family’s needs are met. When work ends, parents may be exhausted and just want to enjoy some downtime or spend quality time with their children.

Parents who barely have time to relax may not know how to find enough time to help children if they struggle with reading or other subjects. For parents wondering and worrying about how to help a child with reading difficulties when time is crunched, here are a few ideas, tips and words to ease your mind.

Before the Tips & Advice…

Parents sometimes feel that they don’t do enough. There is a push to always do more, and when doing more is not possible, guilt might be the overwhelming emotion. Parents might be inundated with images and videos from social media that depict other families as seemingly perfect…with lifestyles that look like they are straight off of Pinterest.

Click out of the social media, and understand one important rule: all parents struggle at times. No parent is invincible, able to tutor on multiple subjects, fix dinner, sweep the floor and answer the work phone in a single second…simultaneously.

Parents need to give themselves a break and understand that doing the best they can do at any given moment is all that anyone—including our kids—can ask of us.

So if a child is struggling with reading, and it’s 9 o’clock, and mom (or dad) is sleep-deprived, turn off the lights and go to bed. There are ways to help struggling readers, but staying up all night is not necessarily the best solution.

Maximizing Time When there is No Time

Juggling multiple jobs or one never-ending job can feel that there really is no time for anything else…including being a child’s tutor after school. So what is a parent to do? Here are a few ways to carve out time to help children, when time seems compromised.

Map the Day

Sometimes even when it seems like there isn’t a spare second of time, we can carve out some small moments. When parents are looking for time to help children, it might help to write out their day…or map out the day.

This isn’t a big project. It’s just making a schedule. Write out when kids are dropped off at school or daycare, when work ends as well as other appointments and events. Include meal prep in the schedule, too.

The goal is to map the day by the hour to analyze when parents can carve out some extra time with kids. Helping children with reading doesn’t have to mean spending an hour on a lesson. Just 15 to 30 minutes could help them, too.

Pack a Book

Many parents pack snacks or other items for their kids in their bags. Every day, parents also can pack a book. This ensures that parents always have a book with them for children. Sitting at the doctor’s office? Start reading with your child.

Going to the grocery store? Give the child a book in the back seat and encourage them to read out loud. Parents can help guide children. Or ask questions about the story.

Pack books in the car, too. A bag in the backseat can be a mini, mobile library full of books and reading material for on-the-go learning.

Technology Can Be Helpful

Some young children may struggle to master sound blends or sight words. Game-based apps can be downloaded to mobile devices like phones and tablets for a convenient way to help children practice reading skills.

The convenience of mobile apps is that they can go anywhere. Children can practice their blends or their sight words while a sibling is at a sports practice or even on the car ride home (from school or daycare).

For children who need to practice reading, ebooks also can be a great way to read on the go. Most devices have an ereader already downloaded. Parents can open the reader to find a library for books that can be purchased or maybe even downloaded for free.

These virtual books can be appealing to children who love learning via technology. Parents can encourage children to read aloud during a drive home and ask them questions about the book. Parents also can help correct mispronunciations.

Bedtime Can Be the Best Time for Reading

Many children read before they go to bed. At this time in the evening, parents might have had some time to wind down from their day. They can sit with children at night and read to them or with them. Most children are encouraged to read nightly for 15 or 20 minutes (sometimes more). Nightly reading before the lights go out might help parents relax a bit, too.

Parents and children can take turns reading a page or reading a chapter. Parents can ask questions related to the main story plot points. They might focus on the key ‘w/h’ questions of comprehension: who, what, where, when, why and how.

No Time During the Week? Opt for the Weekend

There might not be a second of free time during the week if parents are working multiple jobs. Instead of stressing about building in minutes to help children during the week, parents may opt to designate some special time for children during the weekend.

Parents might be more relaxed and able to better focus on the moment when the weekend rolls around. However, busy work days may leave parents worn out, stressed and lacking patience.

Remember that It Takes a Village

Some parents might not even have time during the weekend to help their child with homework or to tutor them in reading. Many parents work with no days off, and no breaks between obligations. Raising a child takes a village, and others can help children when parents just can’t find the time.

When children need help with reading, parents can reach out to their child’s school to inquire about community programs or even opportunities offered by the school. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club also could provide enrichment or tutoring services. The local YMCA also could offer academic tutoring.

If parents need help and resources, reaching out to the school or school district might be the best option to find additional support in the community.

Online Reading Programs

Online programs or apps also could help provide support and enrichment for children who struggle with reading. While some educational apps are designed as games, others, like Readability, are designed to provide more immersive support for struggling readers.

Readability offers a built-in AI tutor that provides one-on-one learning for children who use the program. The tutor can help children correct their pronunciation if they stumble on a word during lessons, and the AI tutor also tests a child’s comprehension of the story by asking questions about what they have read.

Books and stories in Readability are leveled for the reading abilities of each child. Parents can choose their child’s reading level when their child begins the program. As the child shows mastery of each level, they move onto harder stories and books. Children only advance, though, when they demonstrate both reading proficiency and a master of comprehension. This ensures that children can move at their own level. Some children may struggle at a level and may need more time to master that level. Each child is unique.

Busy parents can always check in on their child’s progress by visiting the Parent Dashboard. This section is only visible to parents and shows how long the child used Readability, their current reading level, their words per minute and any other pertinent reading data. The information also can be compiled into a report that can be sent to the child’s teacher. This helps facilitate communication between parents and educators about a child’s progress at home; teachers can use the reports to compare against what they see in the classroom.

Readability can be used anytime and anyplace with an internet hotspot or wifi connection. Parents who have multiple children with reading struggles can use the same account for up to three children. Since a Readability subscription only costs $19.99 per month, this means that parents are paying less than $7 per month per child (assuming three children are using the account) for reading assistance.

Parents can also let their children preview Readability for a week for free. Readability offers a free trial that allows children to use all the features of the program and explore the stories. This can help parents better understand if the program is a fit for their child’s needs…and to see if their child likes the program.

Like other apps, Readability is mobile. Children can access their Readability subscription using a tablet or phone…or just on their computer. Ready to try out Readability? Parents can sign up for a free trial today!

After a year of virtual learning for some students, parents might be finding the online or virtual landscape easier to navigate. While virtual platforms might not be the preferred medium for some students, others thrive with technology.

Parents may be looking at online resources to keep kids from falling behind, to help move them ahead or to try to catch them up to grade-level expectations. Can parents find reading help online, though?

Yes! There are so many resources available for readers of all levels. Parents can find programs, apps or websites for their child’s unique needs in all subjects. Check out these options!

Fun & Games

Screen time might be closely monitored by parents and it also might be limited, too. Every family is different when it comes to screen time privileges. Some families like to avoid extra screen time, as children usually spend their entire school day eyeing a computer or device. After virtual learning, some kids may be just plain screen tired!

There are kids, though, who simply love technology. They might even learn best via tech. And parents might prefer to download games that help boost their minds and focus on education to get the most benefit from that screen. Many (but not all!) are available on both the App Store and Google Play.

Math Apps and Games

Looking for fun math games? Help kids practice math facts or delve into algebra and other subjects with these games and apps.

Photomath

Do kids need a visual cue to help with those problems? Or maybe parents need to see a problem worked out on paper. Scan those problems, and photomath provides visual and step-by-step details.

Big Math Flash Cards

Forget about making your own flash cards! Use Big Math to help kids practice addition, subtraction, division, and, of course, those necessary multiplication facts!

Math Brain Booster Games

For children that love math or that just want extra practice, this app can help practice solving problems in the mind. Get quicker with mental math!

Coolmath Games

Many children play Coolmath in school during downtime. This app is filled with all types of different math games for extra practice or just for fun. Sudoku, checkers and chess also are on Coolmath. Play games anywhere…even on road trips!

History Apps

History or geography might not be on the list of subjects for nightly practice or for online games, but apps can help children brush up on geography or their history knowledge. Here are a few great apps for history and geography buffs.

United States Map Quiz

Can you identify the states? Play this game to test knowledge on states and their capitals, too. This is a great app for children who need to learn their states and capitals!

World History Quiz

Practice history facts and data with the World History Quiz Trivia Game. Choose a level, then see how many questions you can answer. This app is suited for children ages 12 and up, so it’s perfect for middle school and beyond!

U.S. Presidents: Guess President

Players are given a photo of a president and they have to guess who it is. The game is suited for ages 4 and up, but it’s probably a better fit for upper elementary grades and/or middle school.

Science Apps

Chemistry, biology, astronomy or just basic science…whatever your child likes, there’s an app available to delve deeper into the scientific journey. These apps, though, are about exploration. Use them to help children learn more about their world and the planets beyond.

Seek

The Seek app is by iNaturalist and allows users to use their camera to explore all the different animals, plants and crawling bugs in their backyard…or anywhere. Simply point the camera at a tree, bush, greenery, bug or animal, and the app will identify it. The app also includes challenges to earn badges. Users can create an iNaturalist account for more features.

SkyView Lite

The app uses the camera to show the night sky. Users can point the camera at stars, and the app will show the constellations and data.

Science Lab!

Who needs an actual lab, when users can play in a virtual lab. Create experiments and find out what elements are compatible…and which ones are not. Suitable for ages four and up, but older children might be more into this particular science experience.

Reading Apps

Reading might be the area that teachers push the most for children to practice. Most children are expected to read 15 to 20 minutes each night. Children may be at all different levels; some children might struggle, others may read right at grade level, but others may read beyond grade level.

There is reading help online for all different needs and all different abilities. Parents can try out these apps and programs for their child.

eReaders

Children who read fluently or who love to read digital books can download and ereader at home. Apple devices usually include an ereader app, but there are others to choose from, too. Readers may link to libraries where parents can download or purchase new books for children. Some virtual books may include new or unique (or even interactive!) features that cannot be found in standard bound books.

Reading virtual books on ereaders still counts towards those reading minutes. This can be a unique option for children who prefer those screens.

Dr. Seuss Treasury Kids Books

For younger children who love the cadence of Dr. Seuss, the app may be an ideal way to read and explore characters and books from their favorite author. Parents can get 30 days for free and pay $2.99 per month thereafter. Or parents can purchase all of Dr. Seuss’ books (50 total) for $39.99.

Starfall.com

Via the Starfall app, children can play games and enjoy activities related to reading, math, music, etc. The app is for children in preschool to third grade. There are also fun activities related to seasons and holidays.

Sight Words ABC Games for Kids

This app includes 220 sight words and encompasses kindergarten through third grade and takes children on a trip through Candyland with Abby the monkey. Children will enjoy the colorful, immersive and engaging content. The app includes 18 different games to practice these words that need to be learned by sight! The app is noted as a Parents’ Choice Award Winner.

Readability

For children who struggle with reading or who need extra help hitting grade-level benchmarks, parents can utilize a reading app like Readability that provides help with both phonics and comprehension. The app is ideal for kids in preschool through sixth grade.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that guides children’s lessons and helps them if they stumble on a word. The tutor also quizzes children at the end of each story to test knowledge about what was read.

Children do not move to a more difficult level in the program until they show mastery at their current level. In this way, stories are never too easy or too challenging. Stories and books also are written for the interests of the child’s age and grade-level; this means that older children aren’t forced to read stories written for the interests of younger readers.

Parents can follow along with their child’s reading journey by opening up the Parent Dashboard. This special section provides parents with all the reading data for their child. Parents can view their child’s progress and current reading level. However, they also can see how long children have used the app, too. And reading levels and data also can be compiled into a report that can be sent to the child’s teacher. While parents want to see that their child progresses on the app, that progress also should be displayed in school lessons, too. Sending reports from Readability helps keep teachers and parents on the same page and helps facilitate dialogue about the child’s progress at home.

Are All Apps Free?

While many apps mentioned are free, some do require a subscription. Others may offer in-app purchases, which allows children (or any user) to purchase features or special items within a game. Parents downloading an app that offers in-app purchases can turn off this option via their device. Pocket-lint explains how to turn off in-app purchases on iPhones, iPads and Android devices.

Before downloading any app or program or setting up a subscription, parents should review all the financial obligations. There may be options for different types of subscriptions; for example, the Dr. Seuss Treasury gives parents the option of paying monthly or buying all the books at once.

Readability provides parents with the option for a free seven-day trial. This can help parents and children decide if the app is a good fit. With the free trial, users have access to stories and features within the program. After the seven-day trial, parents are billed on a monthly basis. Parents who want to try out Readability can sign up for a free trial today!