Some children are just gifted and enthusiastic readers. Something just “clicks” for them when it comes to this language skill.

While it is great to have a child who enjoys and has advanced reading skills, it can also be difficult to keep them interested because they are more likely to get bored with reading materials or instruction that are meant for their grade level. 

Often, reading help or intervention is focused mainly for struggling or new readers. However, it could benefit your child to find a first grade reading program for advanced readers that can actually enhance their reading skills and challenge them.

What level should my first grader be reading? 

First grade is where children get their reading foundation and is a critical grade when it comes to reading success.

During this grade, your child is learning and will likely be able to read independently. Advanced readers might already be able to read independently by the time they enter the grade level.

By the end of first grade your child will be able to recognize about 150 sight words. They should also be able to spell and recognize single syllable words.

When it comes to reading comprehension, first graders are completely capable of discussing and answering questions about what they have just read. They should also be able to distinguish the differences between fiction and nonfiction works.

While these are the average reading milestones that most first graders reach, your child might already have reached these before they were in first grade.

Advanced readers often will reach reading milestones well ahead of their peers. The challenge with advanced readers is not necessarily reaching reading goals, but keeping them interested and challenged enough to keep on improving their reading skills.

How do you challenge advanced readers? 

The mistake many parents make when trying to challenge advanced readers is to give them more reading or more work. However, that will only make them resistant to reading and will likely get bored or overwhelmed.

Instead, parents should aim to give their advanced readers materials that are just different from what they might be getting from school.

• Get them books that are different from the ones they are reading in school. 
• Start reading a series together. This is a great way to get them interested in a longer narrative and also helps them to be more motivated to read. 
• Take a field trip to the library where they can choose books to take home that actually interest them. 
• Use cookbooks to help show them a different genre of writing and shows them how reading happens in all forms of life including in the kitchen. 
• Read a book that has been turned into a movie then watch the film version as a family movie night. You can compare and contrast what they thought of the movie versus the book. 
• Let them create their own stories and books. You can have them create their own comic books and picture books then read them to you or to younger siblings. 
• Use a reading program that can grow with them like Readability.

Which reading program can help advanced readers? 

Readability is a great reading program that can truly benefit advanced readers and helps them improve their already stellar reading skills.

Readability is great for advanced readers because it provides:

• Personalized materials that are based on the reading assessment that the app performs as your child uses the app. 
• A large library of original content that is constantly being updated and provides materials at the appropriate reading level based on the app’s assessment. 
• Feedback and error correction so that your child is always improving their pronunciation and fluency. 
• Reading comprehension practice that can help your advanced reader think critically about reading materials and practice important critical thinking and analyzing skills. 
• Practice for reading aloud and listening skills as it gives them the option of having the app read the text to them or they can read the text aloud while the app listens for pronunciation errors. 
• Makes reading interactive and fun to help them continue to read independently.

Advanced readers ultimately need the tools and support that can help them continue to improve their reading skills.

Instead of giving them more work to do, parents and teachers need to provide them with materials that will give them a careful balance of challenging them but also keeps them interested and enthusiastic about reading. Using a reading program such as Readability can help them to continue to read independently and continue to enjoy reading.

Learning to read for the first time can be challenging and many children might struggle with learning this valuable skill. The best way to help your child if they are struggling with reading is to give them as much practice as possible. However, studies show that children learn best when they are having fun and when they are reading for fun their brain development improves significantly. 

How can I make reading fun for struggling readers? 

Reading for struggling readers often feels like a task or chore, so the best way to make reading fun for them is to incorporate reading programs that are designed to make learning fun. These programs combine technology and learning to give an immersive experience for new readers.

Get your child reading for fun by trying out any of these reading programs for struggling readers:

Reading comprehension

• Book Adventure- This is a great program for struggling readers because it turns reading into an adventure rather than just an exercise. This program is great for grades kindergarten to 8th grade. The program specifically helps practice and learn reading comprehension. Instead of just reading a story or a book, the program uses games and literature lessons for users to “progress” through the adventure and reach its conclusion. This turns reading comprehension practice into a fun video game which can be a great approach for those that do not seem to enjoy reading.
• ABCmouse Early Learning Academy – ABCmouse is a great reading program for those who are new to reading. The program helps readers learn the basics of reading such as sight words, phonetics, and the alphabet. Best of all this reading program provides materials that help to practice reading skills that can help with comprehension such as games after readings and practice with skimming and scanning. This reading program creates an immersive experience for learners so that they get a good overview of reading skills. This effective reading program is often utilized in schools, so it is a great reading program for struggling readers because it can allow further practice at home for what they are learning in school.

Pronunciation and fluency 

• Readability – While comprehension and understanding are integral parts of learning to read, a big part is also learning pronunciation, phonics, and building fluency. Readability is perfect for struggling readers who are having trouble with these specific skills. Even if your child does not seem to be specifically struggling with these reading skills, gaining practice in pronunciation and phonics can help them learn new vocabulary words quicker and improve their writing skills as well.

Readability uses AI technology to help your child recognize accurate pronunciation. The app provides readings for your child to read aloud and listens to them. The program then recognizes any errors to identify and helps your reader fix those errors. The app is essentially a personal virtual tutor for your child to help them enhance their skills at home quickly and in an entertaining way.

• K5 Learning – This extensive reading program includes practice for comprehension but is also particularly great for teaching phonics. This program essentially helps to provide lessons without going through the hassle of dealing with licensing. You are able to access plenty of materials to help assist with at-home learning. 

Research-based

• StudyDog Reading – This reading program is one of the most well-researched and documented approaches to online reading. It is backed by scholarly research and has documented results through standardized testing from No Child Left Behind. StudyDog uses assessment tools to create an individualized approach to learning to read. Their “Adventures in Reading” series is a great reading program to use at home to help supplement reading practice. Each lesson keeps readers engaged through fun reads and activities. Some lessons also target specific learning objectives such as learning to read contractions or rhyming.

Using any or all of these reading programs for struggling readers at home can help further their learning experience and help enhance their reading skills. The most important thing to keep in mind when using reading programs for struggling readers at home is to make sure it is a program that they enjoy. When reading becomes fun for them, it no longer becomes a struggle for them.

Reading difficulties in childhood can lead to a child feeling less confident in the classroom and some kids may want to avoid school completely. Traditional intervention programs in the classroom may be necessary to ensure the child meets grade-level reading expectations, but online reading programs also may be beneficial for children to further increase literacy at home.

The best online reading program for kids features:

• Interactive learning
• AI assistance for pronunciation
• Engaging stories
• Grade-level content
• Individualized reports to monitor progress

Interacting Learning: Bringing Stories to Life

Children learn in different ways; some or visual, others are auditory learners. Boosting comprehension and phonetic understanding doesn’t just involve guided lessons. To encourage a love of books and stories, lessons should be interactive—drawing kids into the story through immersive features.

Some software programs encourage kids to explore story lessons by hovering a cursor over a character or object in the story. This could allow for additional story features like listening to character dialogue or settings that transform with the click of the mouse.

While this type of interaction doesn’t push phonetic lessons, the hands-on functions allow kids to view learning (and reading) as a joyful experience. Exploring a book and a story should be fun, not just another sit down and read homework assignment.

Guided Reading: AI Assistance for Pronunciation Problems

Reading requires phonetic decoding, and this can be tough for some children to master. Phonetic issues could lead to comprehension issues if children aren’t able to correctly decipher words and phrases within the story.

The best online reading programs should offer integrated assistance—a virtual reading tutor! AI capabilities prompt young readers when they stumble over a word, helping them correctly identify mistakes so they can continue on with the story. These prompts ensure children develop a better phonetic understanding to further advance their reading level.

Engaging Stories

Sometimes reading intervention programs don’t engage readers with content. No struggling reader wants to read boring or basic stories. While phonetic composition and story content should be on level with a reader’s needs, the story also should provide engagement and hold a child’s interest.

Look for online reading programs that offer a variety of topics to keep a reader excited. Stories should be interesting to readers visually, as well. Since many children learn by seeing, colorful illustrations help bring a story to live and may further help a child comprehend text while reading.

Appropriate Leveled Content

Each child learns differently and at a unique pace. Reading problems are not all the same, and children may have different challenges when it comes to literacy. Not every child needs to start a reading program at the beginning level; in fact, some kids may just need a little extra assistance to meet grade-level expectations.

It’s important that parents research programs to ensure that reading levels are appropriate and individualized. A child shouldn’t be subjected to content that was already mastered or feel that the lessons are beyond their skill level.

The best online reading program should address each child’s unique needs and adjust lessons accordingly. This ensures that kids receive the assistance needed to progress in their reading journey.

Monitoring Progress: Individualized Reports

Progress is important and parents want to see results; they need to know that the program is not only benefiting their child but it’s also helping to advance their child to the next level.

How can parents ensure that an online reading program is working to address literacy needs? Readability provides reading reports for each child to track progress; parents also can set reading goals for their child (like words read per minute, reading accuracy and reading endurance). The program also shows parents how their child(ren) has improved over time.

These individualized reports and goal setting functions help parents understand the benefits of the program and each child’s progress.

Could Your Child Benefit From an Online Reading Program?

Looking for the right program is necessary for parents who have children with reading difficulties, but how does a parent know when intervention at home is necessary?

Most schools perform reading assessments that help parents understand their child’s reading level. These reports also help catch reading deficits that need to be addressed both in the school setting and possibly at home.

Not all kids who lag behind in reading qualify for classroom literacy intervention programs, however. A child who is mildly struggling might not qualify for additional intervention in school; qualifications for special programs may vary by school district.

Parents can opt to help kids at home with online reading intervention programs to help boost comprehension and phonetic understanding. Even if children are receiving additional help in the classroom, at-home programs can provide additional support to aid struggling readers.

Online Reading Programs vs. Private Tutors: What’s the Best Option?

For many parents with a struggling reader, immediate intervention often is the goal. If a child doesn’t qualify for school programs or intervention, parents may be on their own.

A private tutor may be one option to help a child progress reading skills. However, parents may find private tutors and companies offering lessons or assistance to be cost prohibitive. Scheduling time to meet with a tutor also could be a problem for working parents trying to balance multiple roles and responsibilities.

Are Online Reading Programs Designed for Children Diagnosed with Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a child’s ability to decode text and impacts reading mastery. Not every child who struggles with reading is dyslexic, though.

A diagnosis of dyslexia, however, may help parents seek more intervention for their child in the classroom. Parents who suspect a child might have dyslexia should address their concerns with the child’s pediatrician.

If a child is diagnosed with dyslexia, home-based reading programs could provide additional assistance outside the classroom. Readability is designed for children with all types of reading struggles including dyslexia. The virtual assistant can provide the auditory feedback needed to help all struggling readers gain better phonetic awareness and understanding.

The best online reading intervention program should include a multi-modal approach to guide phonetic understanding and engage struggling readers. Programs should offer auditory feedback through a virtual tutor to help guide readers with phonetic coding and pronunciation. Stories should be engaging and interactive to encourage children to explore stories and immerse in the reading journey. Online reading programs also should provide leveled content that moves with readers as they progress to different stages of difficulty, and the program should provide parents with progress reports detailing a child’s mastery and achievements.

While some children may receive reading intervention at school, others may not qualify for this type of additional support. For some children, an at-home online program is the only tool they have to catch up to the reading levels of their peers; parents should expect that any program they utilize should provide comprehensive tools to level the educational playing field for their child. Although private tutors also could be an option, tutors can be both cost and time prohibitive for many working parents, making online programs the easier and budget-friendly option to address their child’s literacy needs. If your child is a struggling reader, try Readability for free to see if our online reading program is right for your child!

Online education has exploded across the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and families are adapting to a new tech-driven normal. The Coronavirus may change the way we learn, using technology as a catalyst.

Augmented reality, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing are transforming the education sphere in 2020 by providing learners with an added layer of accessibility, efficiency, and innovation.

Read on to learn more about how new technologies are transforming education in the current marketplace.

Artificial Intelligence

With more students than ever before spending at least part of their school days online, automation and monitoring software is in high demand. Educators are using digital apps and tools to monitor student activity, and AI plays a large role in navigating the process.

Apps that rely on artificial intelligence to respond to user behavior are more accurate and adaptable than static programs.

Machine learning gives students the ability to control the lesson, while accurately adapting the material to their current skill level and learning speed. This has the potential to reduce learning anxiety, especially in early learning subjects like reading comprehension.

Parents can use a reading app, for example, to help their child learn how to read by “reading along” with them using AI voice tracking. The system can then respond to hesitations, reading speed, and commands in real time.

Using AI gives learners more independence and autonomy in the learning process, even without a human teacher present.

Augmented Reality

While virtual reality replaces the student’s surroundings with digital renders, augmented reality enhances it. AR technology in education gives each student an extra facet of interaction without completely removing the “reality” element from their learning environment.

Similar to the popular mobile game Pokemon Go, AR-enabled apps use existing features in the surrounding environment as markers and triggers. This allows the program to operate without any auxiliary equipment, except for the user’s mobile device.

When it comes to corporate learning and adult education, this has made the onboarding process easier than ever before for telecommuters. Corporate training and assessments have also been simplified with the use of responsive filters and AI-automated prompts.

In every level of the education sphere, augmented reality is a useful way to merge the digital and practical worlds. Artificial intelligence and mobile-friendly formatting are driving this industry toward the mass consumer marketplace.

Virtual Reality

Making learning fun has always been a main catalyst for making students interested in education. In short, kids want to learn more when they’re having a good time.

Using virtual reality technology, educators can simulate a roller coaster ride as the backdrop for their math lesson. Or, teachers can transport kids to a digitally created safari to learn about the climate of the Serengeti.

Virtual reality has also enhanced peer-to-peer communication, allowing students to discuss course material in a completely different digital sphere. While in the virtual environment, users are able to:

• Use problem-solving in real time
• Improve collaboration with more seamless connectivity
• Work on projects simultaneously, similar to the classroom environment
• Help introverted/reserved students perform more effectively among the group

The possibilities are as endless as the expanse of the web, and this technology is just kicking off in recent years.

Cloud-Based File Sharing

Telecommuting grew by more than 40% during the COVID-19 outbreak, and online education swept across the nation as schools scrambled to translate their lessons online. Corporate education also made a major shift, as more employees needed remote accessibility and location-independent course material.

Using the cloud to store and share information makes it possible to process information securely and easily from any network. This has provided families and individuals with a higher level of access to education than ever before. Literacy rates and overall education levels have risen as more and more people use the internet as their primary learning medium.

Rather than requiring students to use their resources and time to meet at one central location, remote and cloud-based learning solutions bring the classroom to the student.

Technology is present in virtually every aspect of our daily lives, but education has made significant strides with the distance learning boom of 2020. Educators are using systems like AR, VR, and AI to bring students together like never before. From creating completely manufactured digital worlds to providing learners with the realism of an in-person teacher, these tech tools will forever change the way students and educators interact – even after the pandemic.

Distance learning required students to have a higher level of independence and agency, and educational programs and applications are following suit. Using AI and automation capabilities puts the reader in control of their learning experience, not the program or teacher.

Artificial intelligence and immersive applications like Readability give parents and students more control over their learning plan. Take a look at one of the ways we’re using new technology to transform the world of education.

Many kids are stuck at home for virtual learning this fall. School isn’t the norm; gone are the days of recess, lunch room socializing and classroom learning. Backpacks aren’t being packed, school bus stops are empty and the routine of the school day is virtually…strange. Zoom meetings are better than nothing, but kids may be missing out on the old routine.

And parents might notice that kids are struggling. Reading for some kids may be a challenge. For kids who don’t qualify for reading intervention during the school year, a reading program for struggling readers may help them progress their skills. Maybe your child fell behind during the virtual learning craziness of last spring. Perhaps they never recovered their skills or simply never gained the skills to be at grade level for the fall.  

Here are six reasons to use a reading program for struggling readers if you’re not sure if you should make the purchase.

1.   There’s almost always a free trial!

Not sure if a reading program for struggling readers is right for YOUR struggling reader? Programs and reading apps should offer a free trial to see if it meets your child’s needs and addresses your child’s particular struggles.

Readability, for example, offers a free seven day trial. This gives your child access to all the features and books available on the program. Let your child try it for a few days and see how it works. If they don’t like it, parents can cancel at no cost.

If a program doesn’t offer a free trial, you can always call the manufacturer and ask for a test period. If they say no, then it might not be the right program for you or your child. Never feel pressured to pay for something you can’t try.

2.   Reading online may be more entertaining.

Some children who struggle to read may avoid reading. For this reason, they might not be too excited to grab a book from the shelf. However, virtual platforms like a reading program or reading app may grab their interest.

Readability’s stories feature colorful illustrations and interactive features to keep children engrossed in the story and entertained. Reading should be fun…not just another lesson!

3.   The right program will address your child’s struggles.

Parents may try to help children at home but make little headway. This doesn’t mean parents are doing something wrong. Sometimes kids need different ways to learn, and the most impactful lessons may incorporate a multimodal approach.

Some kids are auditory learners, others learn visually (there also are tactile or kinesthetic learners). Readability addresses auditory and visual learning styles. As children read the words aloud as they see them on the page, an interactive AI tutor provides auditory feedback when a child needs help. The tutor also asks questions to gauge comprehension.

While some children have difficulty understanding the plot of a story (comprehension), others have struggles pronouncing the words or hearing the right pronunciation. Readability provides feedback and help with all these reading struggles.

4.   Parents can better gauge progress with apps and programs.

Are the lessons even helping? If a parent pays for a private tutor, there may be a question about reading progress. Is a child advancing their literacy skills? Have they met the appropriate reading benchmarks?

Reading apps take the guesswork out of understanding the impactfulness of lessons. Readability’s Parent Dashboard allows parents to see their child’s reading level to better understand the progress that has been made with the program. Parents can also view how long their child engaged with the program.

5.   Your child wants to use a reading program!

Maybe your child has used reading programs at school and likes this type of virtual learning environment. If your child has expressed interest in school reading platforms, ask them if they would like to practice reading with a reading program at home.

 Some kids might not know that they can practice reading via an app. For many children, books are the traditional means to practice their reading skills. Parents can offer up reading apps as an option to help their struggling reader.

6.   Reading apps and programs go everywhere.

Yes, parents can pack books for road trips, but sometimes devices like tablets are much more portable. With a reading app, parents can take the reading instruction anywhere there is a wi-fi connection or a cell phone signal.

Your child can read at the park, in the doctor’s office, in the back of the car during a long trip or even on the beach. No matter where you go, your child can have help while they read. Readability’s tutor goes everywhere, too!

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

Learning to read does not just start when your child enters school. Babies and young children are constantly learning skills that will help them master literacy. Children between the ages of 2-5 years old are at a critical age where their language skills are quickly evolving, and they are constantly absorbing information.

Parents often think that the actual act of reading only begins when their child begins reading actual books. However, the reading process starts long before that.

Learning to read actually begins once your child starts becoming aware of language and phonemic awareness. This starts as early as the womb, when parents talk to read their soon-to-be baby.

The key to raising a reader is giving them opportunities to learn different reading skills early on. Toddler reading programs can help young children acquire the foundation to become a successful reader in the future.

Getting your toddler to use a reading program can be a helpful way to make sure their language skills in general, not even just reading skills, are on track.

Here are some of our favorite toddler reading programs that truly work wonders:

• Readability – Readability is a great app for school age children to practice and enhance their reading skills, but it can also work great for very young children as well.

The app has a massive collection of original content that is constantly being updated, so your child will never run out of stories to read.

This reading app is especially great for toddlers because it has the ability to read the stories to your child so that they have a model for reading whenever they want.

The app also provides an interactive reading experience with colorful and engaging illustrations that your toddler will love.

• ABCMouse Early Learning Academy – ABCMouse has fast become a go-to for preschool and kindergarten teachers to help facilitate learning in the classroom with tablets.

It is a great reading program to use at home as well because it “grows” with your child.

The program has different levels and can help your child build their skills no matter what grade they are. They start off with learning phonemic awareness and the alphabet. As your child grows older they can access more advanced levels.

• FirstWords: Animals – This fun and interactive game is meant to help your child learn to recognize letters and enhance their phonemic awareness.

Your child has to match the letter tiles to spell out the names of animals. If they get the spelling right, the illustration makes the sound of the animal.

This app also helps enhance your child’s fine motor skills when they are matching the tiles.

• Interactive Alphabet – Learning the alphabet is often the beginning steps of teaching your child to read.

This highly interactive app makes learning the alphabet fun and engaging. The app provides various activities for your child to stimulate their learning in different ways.

Your child can hear songs and singalong to learn the alphabet. They also get a little bit of writing practice by tracing letters and you can even customize it to upload your own photos and images.

• Homer – This award winning app takes the approach of content-learning to help your young children learn to read.

You can choose from topics that your child is interested in such as their favorite TV show or activity. There are thousands of lessons on phonics, sight words, and other reading skills.

This is another app that your child can use as they grow up. The app provides specific lessons for specific age groups.

• Reading Raven – This interactive reading program helps your toddler build their reading skills by focusing on their phonemic awareness.

This phonics-based program uses fun games to help your child become familiar with the sounds of the letters and also helps them to learn to spell words.

There are also lessons to help build their sight words familiarity, which is often the first step to vocabulary building for young children.

Exposing your children to reading skills early on can help ensure that they are successful with learning to read when they are in school. In fact, children who are exposed to reading and reading is set as a priority in their households usually end up doing better when they are learning to read.

Learning the alphabet, sight words, and building phonemic awareness are the building blocks to successful reading in the future. When they learn these skills early, they are able to actually enjoy the act of reading quicker and end up becoming enthusiastic readers.

Using effective reading programs like Readability can help get your child ahead in the reading game and can also enhance other skills such as writing. These research-based toddler reading programs are effective ways to help your child build the necessary reading skills even before they enter 1st grade.