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!

The scene might sound familiar. You’re waiting at the bus stop for your first-grader to come home. Out of the double-doors bounces your child. You head home, fix a snack, and get ready to tackle that homework. Your child is struggling with sound blends, though. You’re doing your best, but that reading lesson is dragging on.

“Helping my first grader with reading is too hard,” you think. And, yes, helping a first-grader with homework—any homework—can be a struggle. Here’s how to make reading and homework time a bit easier.

Include Downtime to Help 1st Grader Read

The hypothetical situation above sounded pretty typical. And maybe it was. But there was one glaring issue with the way homework was handled. Fixing the snack was a great idea; kids get hungry after school, and if dinner won’t be on the table for a few hours, they may need a light snack.

What happened next, though, might have derailed the homework. The parent fixed a snack and led the child right into a homework lesson. No one missed a beat. The child just finished school, just finished hours of learning, and then came home to sit down again…and learn.

Parents come home from work and may feel burned out. The solution? We schedule down time (if we can). We play on our phones. Check social media. Veg out a bit with a television show. Give children the same relaxation.

When a child gets off the bus, fix a light snack if they’re hungry. Then let them have a little downtime. This doesn’t have to be hours, but let them have a break before helping a first-grader read or do homework. Maybe they can play until dinner, and after dinner comes homework time, bath, reading then bed.

How to Help a 1st Grader with Reading and Homework? Make a Schedule

Many children like routines. They like to know what happens next, and this can help them plan for the next task. A child’s school day is planned out. Many teachers will even write the schedule down and post it somewhere in the room so children always know how the day will look.

Think about creating a schedule at home. Parents can write a master schedule and post it for children to reference. Or parents can simply just stick to the same routine.

Keeping a schedule also helps children understand what is expected of them. They know that after they get off the bus, they have a snack, can play for a few hours, then they eat dinner and do their homework and read.

Every family’s schedule might look different. Parents of caregivers might need to build in time for sports, dance or other extracurricular activities. Just make sure children always have plenty of time for homework, reading…and sleep, too.

Children shouldn’t be pulling all-nighters to finish homework or projects. Parents might need to schedule in bedtime to ensure that children get the rest their growing bodies need. So how much sleep should children clock each night? According to the Sleep Foundation, preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) require 10 to 13 hours of sleep each night, while older children (6 to 13) need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep.

Some children may need more or less sleep than others. Parents, however, should set bedtimes to ensure that children are clocking a healthy dose of rest.

My 1st Grader is Struggling with Reading But I Need a Break!

Parents who are worn thin might not have the patience to sit down and help children with homework assignments. Parents of struggling readers or whose child has learning struggles might need to spend more time helping their child.

Parents and caregivers get stressed, and they might need a break, too. While this isn’t always possible, parents should try to take a break when kids are playing. A little downtime can help a parent feel rejuvenated and ready to help their child.

Sometimes if those lessons have gone on too long, parents may feel that they are at a breaking point. If the patience is unraveling, or if that lesson has gone on just too long, know when to take a break. And understand that taking a break is healthy.

Education evolves, and the way that certain lessons are taught might change through the generations. For parents, this may mean that their child may learn a completely different way to master a concept. Parents may not understand the new learning method, and this can be stressful. If parents feel absolutely lost, put the homework away and email the teacher.  

And, yes, parents need to ensure they’re sleeping enough at night, too. Burning the midnight oil may leave parents feeling worn out and crabby.

Helping My First Grader with Reading…with Helpful Resources

Children who struggle with reading or other assignments might need additional help from parents. Some parents may feel prepared to provide this additional enrichment, but others might not know how to help their child with their struggles.

There are many online resources that can help parents. Download worksheets to help children with reading assignments or to provide extra practice at home. Math resources also exist online.

Parents also can reach out to their child’s teacher to find ways to help their child at home. Teachers may be able to send home extra assignments and worksheets or help parents find other learning resources.

Helping My First Grader with Reading by Making Learning Fun

Some subjects can be challenging for children. They may simply struggle with a concept or lag behind peers a bit and need extra help and guidance at home.

Parents can make these at-home lessons into a game to ensure that children stay engaged. Does a first-grader struggle with sight words? Take them on a sight word scavenger hunt. Take that list of words and try to find them around the home (kids can look at boxes, newspapers, etc.). Parents also can make a matching game with sight words. Create two cards for each sight word, mix them up and place them face down. Now take turns matching up the words.

Children who struggle with story comprehension can play comprehension games. Parents can make a comprehension ball using a beach ball. Write prompts or questions about the story on each section of the ball. Toss the ball back and forth. Whatever question/prompt faces up needs to be answered.

First graders can work on math in the kitchen. Helping parents make meals and follow recipes may provide a fun math lesson. Children can help measure ingredients and work on simple recipe math problems.  

Helping My First Grader with Reading by Using Tech as an Advantage

Some children don’t like standard books, but they love technology. For the child who absolutely hates to be pulled away from the screen, it might be beneficial for parents to use technology to their advantage. Apps and online games can help children with many subjects, including reading and math.

Children who struggle with math may enjoy apps or online games to work on math concepts. Parents can find games that are grade-level appropriate via Google Play or the App Store.  Focus on games that address first-grade concepts. Although some games may have multiple levels that are divided up by grade level.

Apps and programs may be free, but some (like Readability) require a subscription. Before committing to a program, find out the cost and the billing methods. Parents also may want to explore the program further to make sure it’s a good fit for their child. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period so parents and their child can explore the program.

Some free programs and apps, though, might not offer enough support for a child who struggles with a concept. Other apps could offer in-app purchases that charge a fee to parents’ accounts when a child purchases something within the game. Children don’t always know what is part of the game, and what might be a charged upgrade. After installing free apps, be sure to disable all in-app purchases if parents don’t want any surprise charges. Those little purchases can add up quickly!

More learning-focused apps like Readability may be a better option for parents who want to ensure their child receives additional help for their area of struggle. There are many different educational programs that parents can investigate, and each one may be designed to address a specific subject or learning challenge.

If a first-grader is struggling with phonics, comprehension and other reading fundamentals, a reading app could help them move towards grade-level benchmarks and gain confidence and proficiency. Readability, for example, provides help with both phonics and comprehension. A built-in AI reading tutor helps children with pronunciation when they stumble on a word and asks questions about the story to test comprehension.

Children don’t advance to the next level until they display mastery of their current level. Readability also provides a Parent Dashboard for parents that shows reading data for each child; parents can view their child’s current level, follow their progress and see how long their child used the program. Reading reports also can be sent to the child’s teacher.

Readability also will grow with a child who is in first-grade. Readability can be used through sixth grade, which means that parents can use the program to help their first grader throughout elementary school.

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

While the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t set precise screen time limits for older kids, the AAP does recommend limiting screen time to one hour or less each day for younger children (ages two through five). Screen time includes all screens—computers, devices and televisions.

Parents of preschoolers might be extra careful for the screen time they choose to allow their children to engage. When it comes to playing on devices, educational apps could be a better choice than silly videos…and a reading helper app is among the apps perfect for preschoolers.

Before parents hand over those devices to keep preschoolers quiet and happy, they may want to research these 10 educational apps for preschoolers.  

Smart Baby Shapes!

Don’t let the name fool you…this app is perfect for children ages two and up (per the app). Shapes! helps children learn shapes, colors and sizes. The app is designed as a game, and parents can choose the level best for their child. The app helps children work on fine-motor skills and attention.

Toddler Puzzle Games for Kids

This game features different jigsaw puzzles and lets children color pictures, too. According to the app description, the puzzle game includes 96 puzzles within eight topic packs. After a child completes a puzzle, the app animates to celebrate the success.

PBS Kids

Download the PBS Kids app for a variety of different games featuring characters from PBS cartoons and shows. Games can include topics in math, science and engineering and also social skills, too (they can learn more about kindness, emotions, etc.). For kids who love art, there are also games that inspire creativity. In total, PBS Kids offers more than 100 games, and, as kids grow, they can try different games and puzzles within the app.

Sorting Puzzles for Kids

This is all about spying similarities. Children can sort according to different criteria, including shape, color and season. There are different levels of difficulties…and no ads! The app was developed with educators and child psychologists.

ABC Kids—Tracing and Phonics

For preschoolers who still need help identifying letters, this app allows children to trace their letters and help them understand the sounds of each letter. The app also includes matching games, and children can collect stickers and prizes as they complete games.

Baby Piano for Kids & Toddlers

Play songs on a virtual piano and work on hand eye coordination, too. The app features eight songs: “Jingle Bells,” “Happy Birthday,” Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Pop! Goes the Weasel,“”The Muffin Man,“”Wheels on the Bus,“”Five Little Monkeys,” and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” Kids don’t have to choose to play piano; they also can play flute, bells, drums, trumpet and more. This is a great app for young children who love music.

Readability

Some preschoolers are already learning how to read or are reading fluently. Precocious readers might want to keep reading or work on their skills. Readability helps children with reading fluency, phonics and comprehension. A built-in AI tutor provides correct pronunciation when children stumble and asks questions at the end of each story to gauge a child’s understanding of what they’ve read. Children advance to a harder level only when they display mastery and proficiency.

Kids Balloon Pop Language Game

This app lets users choose from nine languages. Pop the balloons and learn about shapes, numbers, colors and letters. Children can choose from five different game types: simple balloon popping, an alphabet game, a numbers game, a color game and a shape game (this requires in-app purchase).

Sight Words Learning Games

For five-year old’s about to start kindergarten, start practicing sight words with Sight Words Learning Games. There are more than 200 words to learn!

SkyView Lite

Children aren’t too young to learn about the stars and the universe. At night, the app will let you use the phone or tablet’s camera to show the stars in the sky; the app will then reveal the constellations and details about those stars. The app also shows satellites, too! This is a great science app for children who are curious about their world and the universe.

Other Ways to Keep Preschoolers Entertained Beyond the Screen

Passing a phone or device over to a preschooler to let them play is easy, and, as many parents know, that device may help a fussy or hungry preschooler stay content and quiet in a busy story or restaurant. Technology might be the emergency default, but at home where the entertainment options are plentiful, boredom can be alleviated with a bit of creativity.

Children might love those screens. They may love to watch videos, play games or listen to music. Devices are fun. Screens are animated—literally. There is visual, auditory and maybe even some sensory stimulation. However, when the advice of medical experts limits screen time to one hour each day, parents might have to pick and choose when those screens come out of hiding.

When kids are clamoring for screen time, when they are bored, maybe getting on each other’s nerves and perhaps even driving parents crazy, there are other options than a device. And play is an important part of learning. Here are 10 easy entertainment solutions for bored and fussy toddlers who might still be stuck at home:

Create a Sculpture

Warning: this can get messy! Homemade dough or even store bought dough, clay or other molding substance can let kids get creative. Grab dough in different colors and give kids cookie cutters to create shapes, designs and characters. Or just let kids mold what they want.

Some molding substances can get into carpets or rugs. Be careful where a child plays with messy dough.

Color a Picture

Get artistic. Every household may have a tin or box of crayons and markers for a spur-of-the-moment art fest. When kids are bored, grab some paper or coloring books and bring out the crayons or other art supplies. Let them draw or make pictures with stickers.

Craft it Up

Encourage kids to make something unique with different supplies. Parents or guardians might have their own unique stash of craft items that could include fabric, beads, feathers, and more. Just beware of any crafty item that could be a choking hazard (like foam letters, beads, etc.).

Build a Fun Fort

Let kids explore their imagination with a fun fort. This is easy to make using two chairs with a blanket thrown over the top. Or create a pillow fort. Even a small tent can be the home of a unique adventure. Grab some flashlights too. And maybe a few stuffed animal friends.

Get Moving Outside

If it’s a nice day outside, go outdoors. Take kids for a walk or encourage them to just play games outside. Grab some hula hoops, balls, bubbles or whatever outdoor toys they love. Physical activity is important for good health.

Read a Book

When kids are bored, encourage them to practice reading. They may have a few easy books that they can read, or encourage them to look at picture books. Parents may also use audio books to read to kids (if parents are busy).

Host an Indoor Olympics

If it’s raining or dreary outdoors, host a fun family Olympics event indoors. Create fun contests that kids (and parents) can do inside…safely. Have three-legged races across the living room, hula hoop competitions or something silly. Make it fun and get creative. Think about each child’s strengths, too, when choosing events.

Dance

Turn on the music and…dance! Dancing is great exercise and it’s fun. Choose some kid-friendly tunes and get moving. You might even host a dance competition.

Build Something

Whether kids have blocks or building bricks, use those building materials to encourage creativity and have children build something new and unique. Or maybe parents come up with a building project.

Spring Cleaning

No matter what the season, the house can always use a bit of cleaning. Have kids help with simple tasks like sorting clean laundry or just picking up their room. Yes, parents can make a game of cleaning. However, keep tasks appropriate for a child’s age and abilities.

When parents are out on errands with preschoolers, giving them a phone or tablet might be an easy solution to keep them entertained. Preschoolers and younger kids, though, should only have an hour a day of screen time per the American Academy of Pediatrics. With screen time limited, parents might wish to choose apps that are educational but structured like a game; while kids can enjoy playing on the app, they are also learning about shapes, letters, numbers or colors. At home, boredom and frustration can be alleviated with fun activities like coloring, playing outdoors, building a fort, dancing, and more.

While many educational games and apps are free, some that focus on more structured learning like Readability may require a subscription. Before committing to a reading app or any subscription-based learning app, parents may wish to inquire about a free trial period to better understand the features and benefits.

Readability offers a seven-day free trial period. Sign up today!

There are many ways parents can help children with reading at home. Parents can help children sound out words as they read, review sight words with flash cards and even play games to help with letter recognition (for early readers). However, when comprehension is an area of literacy weakness parents may find helping their child to be a bit of a challenge.

Helping a child understand the meaning of stories may take a bit of practice. Reading worksheets and apps may help provide enrichment at home. Should children be reading far behind peers before parents take the leap into a reading program?

There is no set standard for when to use apps to help with reading comprehension at home. In fact, any child can use reading apps!

Use Apps to Help with Reading Comprehension During Long Breaks

Summer vacation for many students is about three months long. Ideally, parents should encourage that children practice reading and practicing math skills to ensure that they don’t fall behind; the dreaded summer slide refers to a decline in reading and math skills during the summer break. Some teachers send enrichment packets home at the end of the school year to encourage kids to keep learning (and practicing skills) during the long break.

Parents who are concerned about children who struggle with reading comprehension could use reading apps at home during this time to encourage and facilitate additional reading instruction. Apps like Readability include a built-in AI tutor that asks questions at the end of each story to gauge understanding. Children don’t move on to the next level of reading until they demonstrate proficiency at the set level.

An app like Readability provides more than just books and stories that encourage reading practice. Since the tutor tests comprehension, students are encouraged to think about each story as they read. This helps them understand that reading involves more than simply decoding; to fully understand the story, readers need to think beyond the basic text and make predictions, infer meaning and develop an abstract understanding of character and plot connections. Apps may help them develop this skill.

Use Apps to Help with Reading Comprehension During Virtual Learning

Virtual learning may be different for every school district. Some students may even be back in the classroom, while others may be meeting with their class via virtual conferencing platforms. Parents also may have mixed feelings about their child’s learning during the pandemic or may notice their child falling behind.

Reading apps can be used at home to complement school reading assignments. Parents who feel like their child may benefit from the extra enrichment could research different reading apps to find one that best meets the needs of their child.

Depending on the child’s struggle, an app could focus on phonics (decoding), comprehension or both. An app like Readability that helps with both phonics and comprehension could be a catch-all platform for at-home reading enrichment.

Readability also helps children improve their vocabulary skills. When a child reads a story via Readability, they can click on any word to hear the pronunciation and discover the meaning. As a child reads a story, they can acquire new words to their vocabulary list; Readability will save each word a child discovers to create a unique vocabulary list.

What if a Child Isn’t Behind? Can Parents Still Use a Reading App?

Reading apps don’t have to be used just when kids fall behind. Parents can use a reading app at home so children receive extra instruction and practice.

Children in elementary school might benefit the most from a reading app. Readability, for example, can be used for readers in kindergarten through sixth grade. However, if a sixth grader is reading at the appropriate level, they might not receive much benefit since the program’s content doesn’t extend beyond sixth grade. Readability could still be used to complement grade-level work for sixth graders, though.

Parents who want to use a reading app to move their child ahead or to practice need to understand the limitations of the program. Most programs will be best suited for particular grades.

Children in younger grade levels could help to strengthen their reading skills using an app like Readability. A third-grader could use the program to increase vocabulary and reading fluency, even if the child is reading at benchmark.

Extra reading work or practice can be beneficial to a child’s confidence and to simply ensure that they continue to receive ongoing instruction even when school isn’t in session. Teachers are stretched thin during remote learning; a reading app could be used as virtual one-on-one instruction. The built-in AI tutor with Readability offers feedback, guidance and accountability. Children aren’t just reading and putting the book down; the virtual tutor asks them questions about the book to ensure that they understand what they’ve read.

What is the Best Reading Comprehension App?

Finding the best reading comprehension app depends on the child’s needs and perhaps grade-level, too. Readability helps with both phonics and comprehension, so children who struggle with one or both of these issues could benefit from the program.

Even if an app is designed to address the child’s reading struggles, if it isn’t engaging children won’t want to use it. Parents also should look for these features in a reading app:

Colorful Illustrations

Apps shouldn’t just feature text-heavy lessons and stories. Pictures can help children to better understand a story. Colorful illustrations also help break up text and provide a visual depiction for children to visualize characters and the plot. Look for apps that include graphics and illustrations!

Interactive Features

Feedback is important during any lesson. Apps should be interactive in that they provide ways to explore the story and to receive help when struggles arise. Readability includes a built-in tutor that helps correct pronunciation. In addition, the app lets children click on words to learn their meaning—this helps build vocabulary!

Entertaining Content

Children want to read stories and books that capture their imagination and hold their interest. Fiction and nonfiction stories should be well written and keep kids hooked on the story. Older children with reading struggles don’t want to read below grade-level stories even if their reading level is below grade-level. Readability’s stories are age-appropriate but never too easy or too difficult. All stories fit the child’s age and their reading level.

Lessons Should Go Anywhere

Reading practice and lessons shouldn’t require kids to sit at a computer all day. Books are portable, and an app should be, too. Readability can be downloaded on mobile devices including phones and tablets. The app is available on both Google Play (for Android) and the App Store (for Apple). Kids can use Readability while waiting for their sibling at a sports practice, on a road trip, in a park or even at their grandma’s house. If there is a cell signal, a mobile hotspot or a wireless network, children can practice reading! Parents should be aware, however, of any applicable data charges for their cell network.

Proof of Progress

If parents are paying for an app or program, they want to know that it will benefit their child. Parents can follow their child’s progress on Readability via the Parent Dashboard. This offers insight about a child’s reading level, their progress and how long they engaged with the app. The data also can be downloaded and sent to the child’s teacher.

Free Trial Period

Not every app is right for each child. Parents shouldn’t pay for an app that doesn’t help their child. To find out if an app is a good fit for a child’s reading struggles, parents should look for apps or programs that offer free trial periods. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that allows children to access all the features of the program.

What Else to Consider

Parents on a budget may need to investigate app prices even before they sign up for a free trial period. Fees may vary per program. Understand what each app offers and how much it will cost. There could be different levels with different price points, too.

Apps may require parents to enter their billing information when signing up for a free trial. If the parent doesn’t cancel the trial within a certain amount of time, typically the credit card or payment method associated with the account is billed for the month. Always check the payment stipulations even when signing up for a free trial. Understand the cancellation policies of each app before signing up.

Is a Reading App for Comprehension a Good Fit for Every Child?

Many children can benefit from using a reading app to help boost comprehension. Even children that are reading at grade-level might see improvement when using an app. Parents may want to sign up for a reading app for extra enrichment during long breaks (like summer!) or during remote learning when one-on-one time with the teacher is limited.

Reading apps like Readability that includes a built-in tutor may provide the extra help children need to become better readers and help boost their reading confidence. Ready to try Readability? Sign up today for a free seven-day trial!

Understanding why a child is struggling to read may help parents provide reading help at home. Some children may struggle to read because of an underlying medical condition (perhaps a hearing impairment), while other children might have fallen behind their peers in reading because of other reasons.

Dyslexia also might be a concern for parents; the Mayo Clinic explains that some of the signs of dyslexia include struggling to identify sequences, reading below the expected grade-level benchmarks, and struggling to distinguish similarities/differences between letters and words.

Properly diagnosing a child’s reading struggles may be vital to helping them to gain proficiency. Parents may incorrectly believe a child is struggling to read when in fact they are reading at an expected level; siblings who had precocious reading skills might have set a high benchmark that is causing undue stress or worry.

So when is it time for parents to intervene? Typically, parents can stay on top of reading progress via reports from a child’s teacher. Many districts test students’ reading levels throughout the year to ensure that they are meeting benchmark standards. These test results should be sent home with students, although schools might not send home every report.

The best way to find out if a child is struggling and to better understand their reading level is by engaging in a dialogue with the teacher. Ask if a child is reading at grade level and if the teacher has any concerns. Parents may discover their worries are for naught, or they may find out that their child is struggling. 

It is important for parents to understand the severity of their child’s struggles. A child who is only a few months behind their peers might need less intervention than a child who is reading several grade levels behind their peers.

How to Better Understand Reading Struggles

When a parent learns their child is struggling, what are the next steps? Parents may react very differently and may pursue their own unique solutions. There is no right or wrong solution; every family’s needs and resources may differ.

Some parents may make an immediate appointment with the pediatrician to diagnose any potential medical concerns or for guidance on finding specialists or clinicians who also can help. Pediatricians can be a resource for referrals to hearing specialists, psychologists and other professionals who could potentially diagnose an underlying medical condition or learning disorder. A 2019 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics provided “…guidance to the pediatrician to help families achieve a good evaluation for their child who is struggling in school while facilitating the feasibility for the pediatrician to provide this support.”

The report recommended that doctors conduct a medical exam and also account for previous background details like medical history (and the mother’s pregnancy history, too), developmental/behavioral history, sleep patterns/history, and family/social background. The report also recommends observing a child’s behaviors in the office…how they talk, interact, etc. Past history, exams, and observations may reveal the need for more evaluations or an appointment with a specialist.

Parents also can ask for intervention options from the schools. Teachers may recommend evaluations to help determine if the child may qualify for additional reading instruction or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Helping at Home

Medical appointments and evaluations may reveal no underlying causes or explanations for reading struggles. Parents also could discover that while their child is a little bit behind peers in reading proficiency, they might not struggle enough to receive the additional intervention.

Unfortunately, parents may feel that their child is falling through the cracks. Parents can provide reading help at home to ensure children don’t fall further behind. Even when children don’t qualify for additional help from the school, teachers may still recommend resources for parents to use at home. Reach out to teachers for advice on providing reading help at home.

Worksheets

There are many online sites that provide free reading worksheets that parents can use at home to help children. Parents can do a quick search to find these worksheets. Some may focus on reading comprehension, but others may be focused on phonics.

Read with Kids

Children who have trouble sounding out words or comprehending larger chunks of text may benefit from parents reading with them. Parents can help children read the story out loud, or children and parents can alternate reading roles. During the story, ask questions related to comprehension. Focus on the ‘wh’ questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Let Children Pick Books…on Their Level

Children have different interests, and their reading enjoyment may increase when they read a book they want to read. However, parents should ask teachers about their child’s reading level to ensure that books aren’t too easy or too difficult.

Make Reading Fun…with Games

Reading lessons don’t have to be completely instruction-based. That is, lessons don’t have to feel like lessons. Children who have difficulty with phonics might have fun playing word games to better understand their letters. Parents can purchase reading games at stores or online.

Apps also are available online that serve as reading games. Some may help children identify sight words. Others can be crossword puzzles. Do a quick search to find games relevant to a child’s struggle. Just make sure that the game is appropriate, and parents also may want to disable in-app purchase options (if they don’t want a surprise bill). 

Engage in Activities that Support Interest in Stories

Some activities don’t help boost literacy in the traditional sense, but they may help children become more engrossed in their book and immerse themselves in the story. Embrace the five senses of the story with these activities:

• Parents and kids can cook recipes or sample foods from the book/story. Eating a food that a character munched on in the book takes the child into the story.
• Watch the movie. After reading a book/story, let children watch the big screen adaptation and ask them to spot the differences between the book and the movie. What did kids like better?
• Take a book field trip. Visit a place from the book. Or take a virtual tour of a place from the book’s setting online.
• Embark on a word scavenger hunt. Make a list of a child’s vocabulary or sight words and go on a scavenger hunt for each word. Children might earn a prize or special privilege when they find every word on the list. 

Use a Reading App

Sometimes parents don’t have the time to sit with children to help them read. Or maybe they are unsure how to provide appropriate help. A reading app like Readability provides children with a built-in AI reading tutor that will help them during lessons. The AI tutor will correct any pronunciation errors and also ask questions related to comprehension. Children advance through the program as they display proficiency at each level. Books are never too easy or too difficult, and stories provide engaging content and interactive features to keep children interested. 

A reading app can be a great resource to help children boost their proficiency and help parents understand their child’s progress. For example, Readability’s Parent Dashboard lets parents see their child’s reading level and how long their child engaged with the app.

When parents see their child struggling to read, there could be many reasons for their child’s struggle. Underlying medical conditions or a learning disorder could be impacting their child’s proficiency. However, parents may discover that there isn’t a definitive reason for their child’s struggle.

Parents also may find that their child isn’t falling behind enough to receive help. There are many ways that parents can provide reading help at home, and parents might wish to reach out to the child’s teacher for resources or ways to provide that help. When parents don’t have the time or resources to help their child, a reading app like Readability can provide additional assistance to struggling readers who need to gain proficiency.