Parents may discover their child struggling with reading or writing. Perhaps they aren’t reading at benchmark levels or they have difficulties putting their ideas and thoughts into words during writing assignments. Reading and writing tutoring services can offer extra help and enrichment for children who need more guidance and instruction.

Tutoring services are beneficial in that they can provide one-on-one instruction. Children can get the help they need without competing for the attention of a teacher who also might need to help dozens of students. Here’s how to find reading and writing tutoring services that are convenient and on-budget.

Private Tutors vs. Group Lessons

Private tutoring services ensure that children receive the instructor’s full attention. This is beneficial for children who may really have difficulty grasping difficult concepts. Children who might be easily distracted also might benefit from one-on-one sessions.

Group tutoring sessions or classes also could be an option. These types of tutoring sessions may be structured in small groups. Tutoring sessions could allow the tutor to work individually with kids, or maybe sessions are structured as a class that serves to provide additional instruction on a specific concept or subject.

Parents know their child best. Tutoring in a group, one-on-one tutoring and group classes may serve different needs. Parents should choose the option that best meets the needs of their child…and fits their budget, too.

The Problems Parents Might Have with Tutoring

Families that live in rural areas might face several issues finding tutoring services. Some tutors might not be local, which means parents might have to travel quite a distance to take their child to tutoring sessions.

In some cases, tutoring services also could be expensive. While there are many companies that help match parents to tutors, there are also private tutoring services. Schools also could offer tutoring services, too. Costs, of course, may vary from tutor to tutor or from company to company.

Parents also might worry about safety, too. However, companies that offer tutoring services typically require tutors to go through a background check. This could be reassuring to parents who are unfamiliar with a tutor.

Superprof advises private tutors to get a background check, too. Although, as the site notes, getting a background check isn’t a requirement to be a tutor in the U.S.

Can Parents Find Free Tutoring Services

Parents who are looking for free or low-cost tutors should reach out to their child’s teacher or school administration. Schools might be the best resource to direct parents to low-cost tutoring services offered locally.

The site Understood.org rounded up a list of free or lower cost tutoring resources for parents. For example, Children’s Dyslexia Centers offer free tutoring to children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. Learn to Be also offers free tutoring services, but this is “…based on financial need.” Boys and Girls Club also offers free tutoring for those who are members. However, Understood also includes many options for low-cost tutoring.  

Companies that Specialize in Tutoring

There are many companies that specialize in offering tutors for different subjects and needs. Parents may be able to choose from many different tutors and preview prices. Parents can check out different companies and review their policies regarding background checks or other tutoring options. For example, Varsity Tutors offers small class options.

Of course, parents also should research prices to find a tutor or tutoring option that meets their budget. Some companies may require parents to enter their email address for prices and other details.

Parents Can Be Tutors, Too!

What if parents can’t find a tutor in their price range? Or maybe parents just don’t want to pay for a tutor. Parents might or might not have a background in teaching or a specific subject, but they can still serve as a tutor to their child at home.

Many parents can help their child with reading and writing. At the elementary level, parents may be able to guide children with reading and writing assignments on their own. Some parents, though, might not know what is expected in grade-level writing assignments. Sometimes parents overestimate expectations and could push their child to do too much or expect their child to know concepts that might have yet to be introduced.

If parents want to help their child at home but feel that they don’t have a full grasp of the grade-level expectations (teaching methodologies change through the years), they can ask to meet with their child’s teacher for guidance on how to help at home. Teachers may be able to provide parents with some tips related to helping to reinforce certain lessons.

How to Help at Home

When helping children with reading and writing at home, there are a number of resources parents can use as tools.

Graphic Organizers

Creating graphic organizers can help children break down aspects of a story, but these visual tools also can help children organize their thoughts when writing paragraphs or short essays. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provides some templates for these visual tools. 

Worksheets

Worksheets also can be used to guide at-home reading instruction. There are a number of sites online where parents can find free printable worksheets. A quick Google search will pull up lots of options.

Journaling

GreatSchools recommends that parents encourage children to journal at home, too. Journaling can help children understand how to organize thoughts. GreatSchools explains that parents should encourage children to write about their thoughts/emotions, and parents also can have children write about daily events.

Maybe parents can create a list of journaling ideas. Each day, parents can give children a writing prompt for their journal entry. So should a parent read their child’s journal? GreatSchools notes that they can read it…but only if children give the OK.

Write a Book

Each week, encourage children to author their own book at home. These books don’t have to be long, but they should help to reinforce writing concepts that are being taught in the child’s class. Parents can have children write their book on lined paper. Children also can use construction paper or plain printer paper to create a colorful cover. Staple the pages together to bind the book. Parents can help children organize their ideas and work with them to write their story.

Tutoring Apps

Some parents might not feel comfortable trying to tutor their child at home or they might not have the extra time. Today’s parents juggle many roles, and time with children might be crunched if work hours drag into the evening.

For parents who don’t have time to tutor at home and might not have the budget for private tutors, tutoring apps can provide extra enrichment at home and help children progress in subjects and feel more confident. Readability, for example, can help children who struggle with reading. Readability provides a built-in AI tutor that helps to guide lessons. The tutor helps children if they stumble during a story and asks questions after the story to test understanding.

Lessons are leveled to meet the needs and abilities of each child, and children don’t progress to the next level until they demonstrate mastery of their current level. Parents also can check their child’s progress through the Parent Dashboard, which shows how long their child engaged with lessons as well as other pertinent reading data.

The Parent Dashboard also allows parents to create reading reports to send to their child’s teacher. This can help facilitate communication between home and school. Teachers can compare reading reports from Readability to their in-class progress. This can help parents understand that their child’s progress is carrying over into the classroom.

While reading tutors could charge per hour, Readability is billed on a monthly basis, and the price is $19.99 each month. In addition, multiple children (up to three!) can have profiles under one account. For parents who have several children who need extra reading assistance, this benefit can save quite a bit of money each month.

Parents also can sign up to explore Readability with their children at no cost. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that provides access to all the features of the program. Parents will need to enter payment information to sign up for the trial.

What is the Best Reading and Writing Tutoring Option?

Parents have many choices regarding reading and writing tutoring. So what is the best reading and writing tutoring option?

The best tutoring option is the one that best helps address the child’s individual learning struggles, helps them hit benchmarks and is affordable for the budget. Every child is different, and, for this reason, there is no single ‘best’ option.

In addition, each individual tutor has a different personality and teaching style. Parents who work with private tutors may need to find the tutor that best fits their child’s personality, understands their child’s unique learning needs, and adapts to their child’s learning style, too.

Private tutors might not be the best or most economical choice for all families. And not all parents have the time to tutor their child at home. Apps like Readability can provide one-on-one virtual tutoring at a reasonable monthly price; apps also can be used at any time and can be downloaded to phones or other mobile devices for extra convenience. Children can even engage in reading lessons in the car!

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

Want to keep your kids reading over the summer? Having trouble choosing books for your kids to read? Why not enter the Readability Tutor #SummerReading giveaway? The winner will get a $100 Amazon Gift Card to buy books – or toys too!

ReadabilityTutor #SummerReading Fun

Summer is a great opportunity for more learning in an unconventional way. Summer school is not exactly something that many kids get excited about. However, you can get your children excited and motivated to keep learning through a summer reading program. 

What is a summer reading program?

A summer reading program is simply a way to get your child to read more while on their summer break from school. There are many different kinds of summer reading programs you can follow that are created by local libraries. You can even come up with your own program that is customized for your child’s reading needs.

Most summer reading programs are based on a specific list of books that children are encouraged to read from. While this can be a good start to use for your own summer reading program, it is an even better idea to collect books for your child’s library that are specifically within their reading level but also slightly advanced. This can help them build confidence as they read throughout the summer.

What are the benefits of summer reading?

Reading, in general, has many benefits for your child. So, why not continue to encourage them to read while on summer break?

1. Improve overall reading skills – When children read a lot and often, they essentially are continuously practicing reading skills and becoming better. Taking the approach of extensive reading, which is to read a lot of books for fun, helps them to become independent fluent readers. 
2. Practice extensive reading – As mentioned, extensive reading is reading a lot of materials just for the sake of enjoying reading. This differs from intensive reading which is reading with a purpose such as learning a certain grammar skill and might include specific activities with the reading. With all the time in the summer, your child can now actually take their time with reading and enjoy the stories.
3. Improve motivation to read and learn – A summer reading program can help improve your child’s motivation by actually giving them the time to read and learn at their own pace and curiosity. Children learn best when they are invested in the content. Reading over the summer can help them find new things to become interested in that they might not be introduced to in school.
4. Increase creativity and self-esteem – Being able to read at their own pace allows kids to have more time to explore ideas and accomplish reading goals easier. This can help boost their creativity as they explore ideas and books at their own pace. Also, as they finish books, they boost their self-esteem and confidence in reading.
5. Help supplement summer learning loss – The summer can often feel like time loss when it comes to education. However, your children can still keep their curiosity and learning alive during the summer break through a reading program. This could also be a great way to get advanced readers to make the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”. Research shows that students that participated in a summer reading program were better prepared for the new school year.
6. Enhance comprehension – Once children begin mastering reading comprehension, they begin using reading as a tool to learn. By reading a lot of books and actually enjoying them, they are helping to enhance their comprehension because they are reading to understand the stories rather than for a specified learning goal.
7. Boost memory – A big part of reading comprehension is memory. Being able to recall events and information in a story helps your child understand the material better. A summer reading program can help them practice recalling information from books and helps to boost their memory.

How can we get started?

With all the benefits, a summer reading program is clearly a clever way to get kids to become better readers and learners for the upcoming school year. However, what is the best way to get started at home?

There are plenty of established summer reading programs that can help guide you into creating a personalized one for your child. Scholastic and Barnes and Noble have popular programs that have been around for years. However, these programs work from a preselected list of books, so they come with some limitations.

A great way to supplement these lists, or even to create your own reading list, is to utilize a reading app. Readability is a great app to use for supplementing a summer reading list or using it as a summer reading program.

The app has a collection of custom reading materials that are constantly being updated, so your child will never run out of new adventures to start. The app is also great for enhancing reading skills because it can listen to your child read aloud and gives them instant feedback to improve. By using A.I. and speech-recognition, the app acts as a private reading tutor for your child.

Readability is also a great tool for parents to track their child’s reading progress. The app creates progress reports that you can review. Using these progress reports, you can gauge what level of reading your child is in and you can choose the appropriate books to add to their home library.

Now that your children have some time on their hands, you can get them to start reading more and for fun. The key to a successful reading program is to make sure they are reading a lot of books at their own pace and actually enjoying it. Using an app like Readability for a summer reading program is a great way to keep your kids learning even while they are not in school. Reading a lot can help children in many different ways and is a great way to keep that summer boredom at bay.

Not all intervention or enrichment programs work for every child. That’s why there are so many programs out there for reading, math and other subjects, too. With the variety of choices, though, parents might prefer researching a few different options before committing.

However, even that seemingly perfect program can go kaput. When parents are throwing up their arms and typing into any search bar that pops up a desperate plea of “Help! Reading program isn’t working,” instead of scrolling through all the results, it might be time to breathe.

The question parents really want answered is why isn’t the reading program working? And there could be many answers as to why the program isn’t working. However, there are, again, many different reading programs out there. So, for obvious reasons, this article will address five common concerns.

Concern One: My Child isn’t Advancing

Parents want to see results. They want to be able to look at a child’s reading program data and see that their child is progressing. But how does a parent define progress? What are the expectations that parents have of the particular program?

This is an important set of questions, because, sometimes, parents could expect results too quickly or assume that their child should advance at a level each day. How quickly a child advances through a reading program might depend on a lot of factors, including:

The child’s reading level and where that level compares to grade expectations. A child who is several grades behind might take longer to advance. Reading could be especially difficult for them, and they may need to work at a slower pace.

How long the child engages with the program. If a child is reading via the program often, they could progress faster. However, this isn’t always the case. Some children could rush a lesson, and progress could be affected in the negative.

The child’s interest in the program. Is the child engaged? Do they like the content? Are they bored? If a child isn’t interested in the program, they may simply tune out.

The program doesn’t address the child’s needs. Obviously, the program a parent chooses for their child should address the child’s reading struggles. If the program doesn’t provide help or enrichment for these areas of concern, a child might still be struggling and not advance.

Concern 2: My Child Doesn’t Like the Program

A program might not have lessons or books that engage a child and hold their interest. However, there could be other reasons that cause a child not to like a program.

Perhaps the program doesn’t provide feedback to let a child know what they are doing right…or wrong. Maybe there isn’t a type of vocal support that also provides help when a child struggles. For example, Readability offers a built-in AI tutor that will help a child with pronunciation or ask questions about the book (to help measure comprehension).

Books or lessons in the program also could seem boring. Or maybe content is focused on reading level but not at the child’s age level. Even if an older child is reading below grade level, they don’t want to necessarily read books with content geared toward a lower age group.

Concern 3: The Program is Too Easy

While some parents may fear that the program isn’t working, others may be worried that their child is advancing too quickly because the content could be too simple.

This might or might not be the case. The program could be working fine, but maybe the child is advancing quickly because the child is engaged with the stories.

However, if parents feel that the program might be too easy, they may want to sit with the child during lessons and gain a better understanding about the content and how a child moves to the next level of that particular program.

Concern 4: The Program is Too Expensive

Reading programs could vary in price. Some might charge a flat fee, others (like Readability) might charge based on a monthly subscription.

Parents could discover that their budget can’t handle the extra cost. So if a program isn’t working because of the cost, it might be time to investigate other options. First, though, parents might look at their own budget to determine what they can reasonably afford. This can help shopping for a budget-friendly program a bit easier.

Concern 5: The Program is Glitching!

Reading programs should run seamlessly. In a perfect world, this would be the case. Technology, though, isn’t perfect. If the program isn’t literally working, then parents might need to place a call to the company for assistance. This could be an issue that is known, or it could even be an issue with WiFi.

If a child can’t finish their lessons because the system is simply so slow or is glitching, contact the company to help resolve these issues.

Finding a New Program

Parents may realize that the program just isn’t a good fit. Maybe it’s too expensive, maybe it isn’t addressing a child’s needs, or maybe the child simply doesn’t like it. Now what? Finding a new reading program can feel like a challenge. There are, however, many more programs for parents to try.

If the first program just wasn’t the right choice, how can parents find one that is the best for their child? Here are a few things to consider when parents are looking for another reading program:

Price

Is the cost billed each month via subscription? Or is the program a yearly fee? Look at how this price affects the monthly budget and if continuing the program is feasible.

Ratings

Read the different reviews about the program. Have parents found the program to be beneficial? Reading both positive and negative reviews can help parents find the pros and cons of each program.

Structure

Parents should understand the program’s general structure and what reading struggles it aims to help. Some programs—like Readability—help children with both phonics and comprehension. Other programs could be more focused on one particular area of reading. Visit the program’s web site to gain an understanding on how the program helps guide the reading journey and how it addresses struggles during lessons.

Content

Reading programs might not publish any of the books or lessons via a website. However, programs could offer a free trial period to let children and parents learn more about the program. Trial periods are a great opportunity for parents to figure out if their child will enjoy the program…and its content. Programs that offer immersive content and colorful illustrations can help keep a child interested and engaged.

Convenience

Parents are busy, and many children are busy, too. Sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities mean that sometimes families are rushing from one place to the next. According to the Urban Institute, more than three-quarters (83 percent!) of kids ages 6 to 17 are enrolled in at least one outside school activity (aka extracurricular activity!).Reading lessons should be able to go anywhere…just like a book. Reading programs should be available via app, which makes it accessible on mobile devices…or anywhere with wifi or a hotspot. Children can practice reading at their sibling’s soccer game or during the carpool to robotics club! If life is mobile, then parents might want to choose a reading app that is mobile, too!

Using a Program for the First Time

Whether a parent has just signed a child up for a reading program or the family is switching to a new reading program, parents might want to be involved with those lessons during the first week or so.

Some parents might not have time to sit with a child as they use the program, and this is understandable. Parents often juggle multiple roles throughout the day, and, after school, it may be a rush to practice or to try to whip together a quick dinner.

Parents who can make the time to sit with their child during the program session, though, may be able to gauge their child’s attitude about the program and its content. Parents also can help children navigate through the program and, of course, just sit back and see how the program structures the lessons.

This is also a great time for parents to get acquainted with the program, too. Some programs include a portal for parents that includes data related to progress and engagement with the program. Readability offers the Parent Dashboard, which provides all the data related to the child’s levels and more. Reports on the Dashboard also can be sent to the child’s teacher.

When implementing a reading program at home, parents also might want to keep the child’s teacher in the loop about the enrichment. Teachers and parents can stay connected to better understand the child’s reading progress not just on the program but in the classroom, too. Teachers may communicate reading levels in numbers or letters; for parents who aren’t quite sure what all the codes mean when trying to decipher their child’s reading level, Scholastic breaks down all those numbers and letters into one easy to read chart.

Advancing through the program can help parents understand that their child is reading more fluently and confidently. However, parents also likely want to know that this confidence—and reading proficiency—also is emerging in the classroom, too.

When a reading program isn’t working, parents may be the first to notice. However, there could be many reasons for why the program might not be successful for the child…and there also could be different definitions of “not working.” A reading program might not be a good fit for a family because it’s too costly. For children, the program might not work because it’s too easy or maybe it doesn’t hold their interest. If the program simply isn’t a good fit—for whatever reasons—parents may want to sit down with their child when beginning a new program. This can help parents better understand how their child engages and if the content is a good fit.

Of course, trying out a program can be a great way to find a program that checks off all the boxes. Ready to try Readability? Sign up for a free seven-day trial today!

In second grade, some children may still be struggling with reading while others could be venturing into chapter books. Reading abilities may seem to run the gamut, and parents might not know if their child is hitting benchmarks, above the norm or even behind their peers.

Ideally, parents should be following their child’s reading level throughout the school year and comparing it to the benchmarks provided by the school. Some parents may want their child to get ahead of the curve and others might need to seek out extra enrichment for their child. Reading programs for second graders could help boost confidence and proficiency or just provide extra enrichment.

How Can I Help My Second Grader With Reading Comprehension?

One question that parents may ask teachers is: “How can I help my second grader with reading comprehension?” There are so many ways to provide encouragement and help to children if they struggle to read. However, helping children with reading can be as simple as just listening to them read each day.

Scholastic provides a guide for reading (and writing) in second grade. This guide can be a great resource for parents for the basics on reading curriculum in the second grade. Scholastic notes that children in second grade may be reading a variety of material—even poetry. In addition, words will become more complex, and students will read two-syllable words.

One of the best ways to understand the expectations of this grade-level is to review the standard curriculum from the school. Schools may hold a curriculum night where teachers provide an overview of the year’s expectations for the parents. Typically, parents can see an outline of all the subjects, what will be taught, and what will be expected of students.

Ask the “Wh” Questions

Reading in second grade also may go beyond basic stories and delve into text that is a bit harder. Scholastic advises parents to make a “W” chart. This is a chart that reminds children of the questions they need to answer related to the comprehension of each story. These also could be called “Wh” questions. Students should be able to identify the following details for the story: who, what, where, when, why. Parents also could ask “how” to further test comprehension.

Find a Reading Rhythm

Students will typically be expected to read each night as ‘homework.’ Parents may elect to let students read more one night to meet the minutes. Ideally, though, reading each night is a great habit for children and helps them get into a reading rhythm.

Parents can sit with children as they read and help them if they stumble. Again, asking those ‘wh’ questions can help gauge comprehension.

Hold a Reading Race to Test Fluency

Reading fluency is a crucial part of literacy. Fluency means that a child can read words without stumbling. Testing this is fairly easy. Parents can download a 100-word paragraph and have the child read it. Children will have one minute to read the text. Parents need to subtract any missed words to find their child’s fluency. According to Reading Rockets, at the end of second grade you should read about 90 words per minute. Parents also could ask their child’s teacher for a 100-word paragraph.

The more a child reads, the better they will become. Parents can hold reading races each week to test fluency. This can be a fun exercise, and parents don’t necessarily have to try to figure out their child’s exact words per minute ‘grade.’

What Books Should a Second-Grader Read?

If a child is struggling to read or if they read above grade level, parents may wonder what books are appropriate. The right books for a child should be challenging but not too challenging. Children shouldn’t become frustrated by the text.

Teachers typically send reading test results home to parents, and these results may include a reading level recommendation that can include easier books and books or stories that are a bit more challenging.

Just because a book is at the right level, though, doesn’t always mean it’s ideal for every child. Parents can review a book through AR Bookfind, which also includes an “interest level” section under each book. A synopsis provides parents with additional details.

What Should My Second Grader Be Reading?

Books, however, aren’t the only materials that second graders can read. All reading can be beneficial, and, for children who struggle with interest in books, other alternatives could be valuable. Parents could let children read graphic novels (these include lots of illustrations), comic books, or even short stories.

If children are struggling to find books that interest them, parents can encourage them to create an interest list. Children can write down all the subjects, people, places and ideas that make them excited to learn more. Then parents can help children find books related to their interests.

Books of poetry also could be a great option. Poetry is shorter, and many children’s poems are written in a fun cadence. Some can even be silly.

What are Second Grade Reading Programs?

When parents want to provide extra reading enrichment or assistance to children at home, they also could use second grade reading programs. There are many different types of reading programs online or via apps.

Parents may want to research these different types of programs to find the best match for their child’s needs. Some programs, like Readability, focus on both phonics and comprehension. Readability can be used by children who may be reading below grade level or by children who simply want extra enrichment.

For children who do need extra help during lessons, Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that helps gently correct children if they stumble. The tutor also asks comprehension-related questions at the end of each story. Children don’t advance to the next level unless they demonstrate proficiency.

Parents can also combine Readability with other programs, like reading game apps that help children practice sight words. In second grade, children may still receive a list of words that they are expected to identify on sight. Children should know all these words at the end of the year.

Children also can practice sight words with fun at-home games, too. In fact, parents can make their own sight word reading program with simple note cards. Write sight words on cards, and ask children to identify each word. Keep practicing with the cards until children have mastered their list of sight words.

How Can Parents Find the Best Reading Programs for Second Graders?

The best reading program for any child addresses their needs and struggles. Again, some children may use these programs for enrichment while others use them to help them hit important grade-level expectations and benchmarks.

While parents can research apps and programs and read about what each program offers, trying out the program may be the best way to ensure that it will be a good fit. Parents might consider programs that offer free trial periods. Readability provides a free seven-day trial period to allow parents and children to experience the program first-hand.

Other Ways to Help Children

In addition to reading programs, parents can also think outside the book binding to find ways to help children embrace reading and become better readers. Have fun with literacy, and help children experience the adventures lurking within the pages with these ideas:

Draw a Scene!

Have children draw pictures related to a favorite scene in a book. Tell children that they are the illustrator, and see how they depict the characters. Ask them about the drawing and about the story.

Act it Out!

Children and parents can become books! Have children recreate a favorite scene from their book and act it out. Parents can help. Find costumes and props, too!

Change the Scenery

Sometimes reading in the same place all the time can be boring. Take a book to the park, the beach or just out in nature. At home during a rainy, awful day? Create a reading nook with pillows and blankets. Light up the pages with a flashlight!

Make a Meal

Cooking can be a creative way to practice reading. However, cooking a recipe or making a snack related to the book can be a tasty way to immerse in the story, too. Find some fun foods between the pages and taste the adventure.

Take a Virtual Tour

Some books take place in other countries or times. There are many museums online or historic locations that offer virtual tours. Even YouTube could be a great way to visit faraway lands. Pick a place from the book and explore.

There are many ways to help second graders become better readers. Reading programs for second graders can help children who struggle to read become more confident, but these programs also could be used for enrichment. Parents can provide different types of help at home, and reading programs via an app or online can offer more focused instruction. Parents can research the different options and sign up for a free trial to explore the features of each program.

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

When a child is struggling with reading or when parents just want to seek out extra reading enrichment, they may ask: “How do I find a reading program near me?”

There are many reading programs for children. Some may be developed for children with learning disorders (like dyslexia), but others may be broader in scope. There are reading tutors, tutoring services, specialized classes, online apps and so much more. There isn’t a shortage of options, but the difficulty for parents may be finding the program that works best for their child.

Parents could even decide to use a few reading programs together; perhaps parents sign up for a reading app and utilize a reading program through a school or tutor. Parents also could create their own reading program at home.

Who Can Use a Reading Program?

There are no rules regarding who can use a reading program. However, some specialized reading programs only advance to a certain grade level. Reading programs can be beneficial for all kids—those who struggle and even those who don’t.

Sometimes parents want to find extra enrichment opportunities for kids to keep current on their skills or to ensure that they don’t lose skills during a long summer break. Using a reading program online could be an easy and convenient way for parents to provide their child with this type of enrichment.

Some reading programs may be more specialized, however, and may be better suited for children who need more intensive instruction. Other programs could be generalized in scope and may be a good fit for any child.

With Readability, for example, a child who uses the program to stay refreshed on skills may start the program at their current grade level and move up from there. When parents are on the hunt for a reading program for enrichment, they might not be interested in higher-priced programs. Monthly subscription programs may be a better fit.

Reading Apps: The Choice is Vast

Reading apps or online reading programs are numerous. However, many of these programs could offer the convenience of at-home use.

Choosing the best reading app or reading program really depends on the child’s struggles and their specific needs. Every parent may have a unique preference. Some programs may be designed to address auditory processing issues that could affect comprehension. Other programs may be developed to help children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. Some parents prefer a program that is more specific in design.

If a child was diagnosed with a learning disorder and parents are struggling to find the right reading program, there could be organizations that could provide assistance and advice or guidance for parents.

Summer Reading Programs

Some parents simply want a summer reading program for their child to participate in to keep reading during the long break. Summer reading programs are commonly hosted by local libraries and the program’s purpose may simply be to encourage summer reading.

Summer reading programs through the library could include prizes or giveaways. To find out what programs are available near you, contact your local library. During Covid, these programs may be hosted virtually (online).

School Reading Programs

Local schools also may participate in reading programs. These programs may even be affiliated with a restaurant. For example, Pizza Hut hosts the BOOK IT! Program, which began in 1984. Children who complete the program receive a free personal pan pizza!

These types of reading programs also tend to be more about encouraging children to read. Contact the school to find out what programs the district (or the individual school) participates in each year.

Local Tutors

Whether a child struggles with reading, math or another subject, parents may want to enlist the help of a tutor to help children meet benchmark standards and ensure success in school. The price of tutors can vary, though.

Tutors may be retired teachers, college students or maybe even specialized instructors. Some businesses like Sylvan Learning offer services, too. Parents may find tutors through an online service or through a friend or relative.

Choosing a tutor can be based on a lot of criteria, including cost and expertise. Of course, parents will want to ensure that all tutors have been vetted (for safety reasons). Tutoring programs typically require all tutor applicants to pass a background check.

Those living in more rural areas could struggle to find a tutor close to their home. Depending on parent or guardian work schedules, the proximity of a tutor could become an issue. Parents could serve as their child’s tutor.

Virtual tutoring sessions also could be a solution. Some reading apps—like Readability—provide built-in AI tutors that help guide reading lessons. However, some tutoring programs or businesses also could offer remote tutoring for children (especially during the pandemic). Parents should research the options in their area.

Parents also can reach out to a child’s teacher or school to help find tutors. Some schools offer after-school sessions for children needing help. It never hurts to contact the school for resources!

Reading Programs at Home

For parents looking to provide their children with extra reading enrichment, developing a reading program at home could be a great solution. Reading programs at home can be a wonderful idea for all children, though. Extra reading is beneficial, and creating a program that turns reading into a fun adventure may help children who aren’t necessarily enthusiastic about cracking open a book.

Reading programs at home can mix instruction or assistance with fun activities like cooking, movies and games. Parents don’t have to be specialized in reading education to create a program. Again, an at-home reading program could simply be used to help get children excited about books.

Parents can get creative with a reading program or simply just pick a time to read with children. Need suggestions? A DIY reading program (for home) can include:

One-on-one Reading Time with Parents

Parents can set aside a half-hour to read with children each day. Parents and children can take turns reading passages or chapters, or parents can just provide encouragement and help as needed. If children need to work on comprehension, parents may ask questions during reading time to ensure that a child understands the story.

Read and Cooking

This isn’t about bringing a book into the kitchen! Instead, parents can have children help them with recipes. Children can be in charge of reading the steps to a recipe or may help in gathering ingredients. Reading recipes or reading the ingredients list can be good reading practice. Children also can help measure ingredients, too (math!).

Parents may pick fun, kid-friendly recipes for this component of their program. Need recipe ideas? Check out the list of 30 recipes from The Modern Proper.

Eat and Cook Foods from a Story

Immerse in the taste of a book! Find recipes related to a child’s book or story, or ask children what foods their character enjoys in the book. Eating foods from a book may help children step into the shoes of the character. Bonus: have children read those recipes!

Take a Book Trip

Another way to help a child experience a book is to visit a place from the book. Parents may need to get creative when planning reading field trips, though. Some museums or historic places might be closed. Virtual tours could be an option, though!

Carve out a Reading Nook

When creating a reading program at home, parents can set aside a special reading nook for the program. Build a pillow fort or a blanket tent and create a comfortable and unique reading environment.

Try Reading Rewards

For some children, a prize or a reward is incredibly motivating. Parents can sit down with children and set reading goals related to reading minutes or the number of books read. When a child hits reading milestones, maybe they earn a prize.

Use Reading Worksheets

Parents also can incorporate reading worksheets to help children work on their reading skills. Parents may find reading worksheets online or could ask teachers for extra enrichment worksheets.

Listen to the Book

Some children like to listen to the book as they read. Parents might consider integrating audiobooks during reading time.

Watch the Movie…After Reading

Read the book and see it play out on the big screen (or small screen!). Watching the movie adaptation of a book is a bit like playing ‘spot the differences.’ While some movies stay true to the book, others take many different turns. Use movies as a means to talk about the book, and have children compare and contrast the two.

Stop wondering, “How do I find a reading program near me?” Use reading apps like readability and other programs to help children boost their reading skills. Parents don’t have to choose just one program. Apps and tutors or at-home programs can be used together to help children who struggle to read. Not sure if a reading app is a good fit? Parents can sign up for a free seven-day trial of Readability!