Watching your child learn to read for the first time is an exciting time for you and them. While some children can easily jump into reading, many new readers struggle with some parts of learning to read.

Finding your child the right help can mean a lot to improve their reading process. Extra practice at home can help but a private reading tutor can make a big difference in how quickly they improve.

Finding the right tutor for your child is often also a matter of cost. Private in-person tutors can be very expensive. Here are some tips I found to be helpful when looking for great private reading tutors near me and some cheaper, alternative options that can improve your child’s reading skills. 

What does a reading tutor do?

A reading tutor can be a great asset to your child’s reading journey. They can help improve your child’s reading through personalized strategies. Many parents might think that reading tutors just read the materials to their children, but reading tutors often do so much more.

They assess your child’s specific reading issues and then target those issues. A reading tutor will also assess your child’s reading level, so they can check if they are at the appropriate level. They then create a set plan with reading goals for your child. Often a reading tutor will also create personalized activities and materials to help your child reach those reading goals.

When searching for a reading tutor, you want to make sure your child and their tutor get along well. However, you want to make sure that they also stay on task and actually are able to make effective improvements.

How do I find a reading tutor?

Finding a private reading tutor is easy, but finding the right tutor for your child can actually be tricky.  The best places to search for a reading tutor are:

1. Your child’s school – Some schools set up reading buddy systems where an older student helps a younger student learn to read. This could be a great place to start to look for a reading tutor. 
2. The local college – Many college students try to make some extra cash by working as a private tutor. You can often find listings for college students working as a private tutor in the school’s newspaper or their career center. 
3. Reading app – Another alternative option is to utilize an online reading tutor such as an app. This is a great way for your child to get personalized tutoring at a cheaper cost and for a much more independent but interactive experience. 

How much is a private reading tutor?

On average a private tutor will cost about $40-50 an hour. This will depend on the tutor’s experience and credentials. Keep in mind that good and high in-demand private reading tutors can cost up to $100 an hour depending on the needs of your child and their reading goals.

Your child most likely will need to meet with their tutor several times a week to see actual improvements and for tutoring to be effective. If your child is meeting with their private tutor even just once a week for only one hour,  that will cost you about $160-400 a month.

Before searching for a tutor, you need to consider if your child could benefit from alternative forms of tutoring. A reading app might be the solution you are looking for if you want a cheaper and more accessible private reading tutor for your child. Using an app as a private reading tutor is an innovative way to make sure your child is getting the reading help they need whenever they need it. 

Why should I use an online reading tutor?

The perfect private reading tutor would be one that could be available whenever your child needs help. However, realistically a private tutor is likely not available 24/7 and often charges high rates. Instead of hiring an expensive tutor, you can help your child improve their reading by utilizing a reading app.

Readability is a great app that acts as a private reading tutor. The app works by assessing your child’s reading level and provides a wide variety of original content for your child to read. The library is often updated, so your child will never run out of reading materials.

The app uses A.I. and speech-recognition technology to help your child improve their reading skills. Your child has the option of having the app read the story to them as they follow along, or they can choose to read the story aloud themselves as the app listens to them read. While they are reading, the app will give them instant feedback and error correction.

The app also helps them with reading comprehension. By using the innovative Interactive Voice-based Questions & Answers, the app and your child engage in the material together just like an in-person tutor.

The app provides you with progress reports with a detailed analysis of their progress. You can check to see how your child is improving and what they still need to work on when it comes to accuracy and comprehension. You can also see how much time your child spends practicing on the app.

A great private reading tutor near you can be easy to find if you know where to look. A reading app can be an even better reading tutor that can be there for your child whenever they need help. Readability is a great tool to have on hand 24/7 for your child to practice and improve their reading skills wherever and whenever they want.

By 2nd grade, your child is on their way to reading success. They are able to recognize story structures and read independently. However, some students might still be struggling by the time they get to 2nd grade. If your child is still struggling to read, you might find yourself googling “reading tutor for 2nd grader near me”.

Finding the right local tutor for your 2nd grader takes time and money. A reading tutor can greatly benefit your child if they are struggling with reading. But, you need to consider if an expensive in-person reading tutor is worth your investment. 

How do I know my 2nd grader needs a reading tutor?

Many new readers struggle with learning to read independently. In fact, most students who struggle with reading do catch up and are able to reach the same reading level as their peers. Yet, there are still students that are in danger of falling behind if they do not receive some sort of support or intervention.

Here are some signs that your child might benefit from a reading tutor:

• Their grades are slipping. Lately, your child’s work is not at the level it should be, and they are increasingly earning low grades.

• They often pause while reading. 2nd graders should be able to read simple sentences and phrases. If your child is struggling to get through simple sentence structures, they might need some additional help.

• They avoid reading altogether. Struggling with reading can cause your child to avoid reading in class and at home.

• They have trouble recalling information from texts or explaining the text. This could mean they are having issues with reading comprehension. This can make it difficult for them to learn new concepts or understand written instructions on assignments.

• They are above their grade level and need more stimulation. Some 2nd graders might actually be doing so well with reading that they need some more advanced instruction. 

What to look for in a good 2nd-grade reading tutor?

A good reading tutor does not simply read texts for your child. You should look for a tutor that motivates your child and shows the techniques that can help them learn to read independently. A tutor should build your child’s confidence in reading. For 2nd graders, they should specifically target these areas:

• Sight words – Sight words are the most commonly used words in a language. Reviewing sight words can help your child read faster and more fluently.

• Phonics – Learning the letters of the alphabet and their accompanying sounds will help your child identify unfamiliar words. In the 2nd grade, your child should also get guidance about syllables and the parts of a word such as suffixes and prefixes.

• Story structures – Your child by now should also be able to get a sense of simple story structures. They should be able to identify the introduction, climax of the story, and end of the story.

• Simple sentence structure – 2nd grade is when your child should be able to read simple sentences. The simple sentence structure consists of one subject, main verb, and object. So, a sentence such as “John ate cookies” should be easy for your child to read.

• Vocabulary building – The first step in improving reading is to build more vocabulary knowledge. A good tutor is likely to especially focus on vocabulary building. The more vocabulary they know the better and quicker they can read.

• Reading comprehension – Reading comprehension is an important factor to making sure your 2nd grader is improving their reading skills. Your tutor should be helping them with strategies that increase their reading comprehension such as asking them questions about the text.

Using a reading app as a private tutor 

As mentioned, a reading tutor might be a valuable addition to your 2nd grader’s reading progress. However, a private tutor is often extremely expensive and once you find a good tutor, there is no guarantee they can fit with your family’s schedule.

A great alternative to hiring an expensive private reading tutor is to use a reading app to help supplement your child’s learning. There are now a plethora of reading apps that often target specific concerns such as sight words or vocabulary building.

The best reading app to use is one that helps improve multiple skills and is interactive. Readability is that app. Your child will have fun while improving their reading skills at the same time. The app actually works just like a private tutor for your child.

Readability uses advanced speech-recognition technology to give your child an interactive and personal experience. The app provides a library of original stories for your child to choose from. The app reads passages from the stories to give your child a model for good reading. It then asks your child to read the same passage aloud and gives them instant feedback and error correction for mispronunciations.

The app also addresses reading comprehension concerns. Using innovative technology, the app discusses the reading with your child by asking questions about the materials and listens to their answers. This is how the app is able to check and measure your child’s reading comprehension skills.

Readability is more than just another e-reader. The app helps build reading skills effectively and ensures that your child is making progress. It is basically like having a private tutor available 24/7!

During the summer, children with reading struggles might not have access to the same guidance and instruction as they would during the school year. While these children may have participated in reading programs or received additional support at school, parents may feel that this additional help also is necessary to ensure that children don’t fall behind on reading during summer vacation.

Yet, finding resources for struggling readers when school is out of session might be a challenge, especially if parents don’t know how or where to find additional help. If you’re wondering, “what reading programs are near me” to help your child, here are a few tips on how to find help for a struggling reader during the summer recess.

What are Some Reading Programs?

Some reading sites online are free for anyone to access. These educational sites may provide virtual books or additional help with phonics that may be useful for struggling readers. If the household budget is constricted, free sites may be a great resource to provide some assistance during the summer.

Since these sites are free to use, parents should not expect them to provide individualized content for every reader. Many of them do provide a variety of books and reading resources: each site is different, though, and parents can use them as an educational tool to provide a bit of extra support during the summer break.

How Do I Find a Reading Tutor?

Parents may be able to hire a private tutor for their child during the summer. There are tutoring agencies that can help parents link up to a tutor, and a quick Google search can help parents locate these companies in their area.

Schools also are a great resource. Your child’s teacher might have recommendations about tutors in the area. You might find a retired teacher who could offer tutoring services to your child, too. College students also may offer tutoring services.

Before you commit to a tutor, discuss rates and protocol. For safety, tutoring may need to take place in a public location like a library. Parents and the tutor should discuss the child’s struggles and how the tutoring services can best address those struggles. Parents need to know how the tutor can help their child and what resources the tutor will utilize to facilitate the learning process.

Parents could discover that a private tutor is simply out of the budget. Research tutoring rates and review your budget to figure out if a tutor is something that you could afford.

How Do You Create a Reading Program?

Can’t afford a tutor? Parents can step into that role, too! Tutoring your child may take patience, understanding, and a bit of extra planning. Reach out to your child’s teacher to find out what areas your child struggles with while reading; parents who are well-versed with a child’s struggles may still want to drop the teacher a note.

Your child’s teacher may be able to recommend resources for the child to receive additional help at home. Perhaps worksheets or online resources may be an option. If a parent is taking on the tutor role, extra guidance from an instructor could be very helpful.

One of the best ways parents can help their child, though, is just by reading with them. Parents can read out loud to a child and then ask comprehension-related questions to gauge understanding. When children struggle with phonics, parents may encourage them to read aloud and provide support when pronunciation becomes an issue.

Struggling readers may avoid reading; parents can make learning fun by incorporating activities that support the stories and books that a child is reading. Cook green eggs and ham or watch a movie that was based on a book. Parents also can take children on reading field trips that let them become part of a character’s journey.

Use a Reading App

Not all parents feel that they can be a child’s teacher or tutor. Some parents may struggle with reading, too, or time could be an issue. Parents can download a reading app like Readability to provide their child with individualized instruction that can help them become more proficient readers. Readability moves at the child’s pace, so stories are always at the appropriate reading level. Colorful illustrations and interactive features keep the lessons engaging. An AI tutor recognizes a child’s unique voice and provides positive feedback to assist with pronunciation and understanding. The built-in tutor asks questions during the story to test for comprehension.

The app’s Parent Dashboard keeps parents in the loop about their child’s progress. Parents can review their child’s reading level and proficiency. Parents also can see how long their children used the app each day.

To see if Readability is right for your child, try it for free for seven days and check out all the features that will help your child on their reading journey.

It is important for parents to know exactly how to tutor reading to students with learning disabilities. Reading is an essential skill for students because most learning is based on reading independently.

Reading is important not just for understanding information about a topic but also for following directions on assignments. If your child struggles with understanding the instructions on an assignment, they are likely to not do very well on the assignment.

Sometimes students that are struggling with reading might need further help because of an underlying learning disability. Learning disabilities can make it more difficult for your child to learn to read but it does not make it impossible.

What are the top learning disabilities that affect reading?

There are different kinds of learning disabilities and knowing which one your child possibly has can help you know how to approach reading instruction. Here are the top 5 learning disabilities:

1. Dyslexia – Dyslexia is probably the most well-known learning disability. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have it and about 40 million Americans have dyslexia but only 2 million know it. Dyslexia can manifest in different ways from issues with phonemic awareness to reading comprehension.
2. ADHD – Over 6 million children are diagnosed with ADHD. While this is more linked to behavior, the disability does make a significant impact on a child’s learning process. Often, children are unable to sit still or concentrate on a task. This can make learning to read particularly difficult because it requires them to focus. 
3. Dysgraphia – Writing and reading are strongly linked skills. So, if your child has dysgraphia, their struggles with writing might affect their reading skills. This is particularly true for those with issues of grammar.
4. Processing Disorders – There are other nonspecific disorders such as students that have issues with processing visuals or auditory.

How do you teach reading to students with learning disabilities? 

Students with learning disabilities can benefit from a variety of reading instruction strategies. Using these strategies at home can help supplement whatever they are learning in school. Here are some reading strategies to try with your child at home:

1. Chunking – Some children with learning disabilities might find reading long passages as intimidating. Help your child to bundle a reading into smaller chunks then have them read and summarize each chunk. This can help breakdown information into smaller parts that are easier to work with.
2. Visual organizing – Visual organizing is an alternative way to organize information and can help with improving reading comprehension. Using visual organizers like mind maps can help your child see their thoughts rather than have all that information jumbled up in their head.
3. Vocabulary development – For some children, a lack of vocabulary can be the biggest issue that gets in the way of their reading comprehension. Building your child’s vocabulary could help them to have more words to easily identify.
4. Multisensory learning – Using multisensory techniques helps them to associate information in different more memorable ways. When students are able to see, hear, and feel words, they are more likely to remember them.
5. Use reading apps – A great way to incorporate multisensory learning is through reading apps. Interactive reading apps like Readability create an interactive, multisensory learning experience. This is helpful for children with dyslexia because they can listen to the app reading the story to them and also follow along so they both see the text and listen to it at the same time.
6. Post-it Strategy – A great tool to help improve reading for students with learning disabilities is to teach them good annotation or note-taking techniques. As your child is reading, have them place a post-it next to each section that they read and write down a keyword or the main idea. In the end, your child collects the post-its and arranges them in order. This helps to become another way of visual organization and multisensory learning. 

Students with learning disabilities can often be struggling with reading more than others. However, getting them to improve their reading skills is not impossible. You can help them make significant progress by using helpful strategies and tools such as Readability that helps to create a multisensory, interactive reading experience. How to tutor reading has never been easier because with Readability you have a virtual tutor at home 24/7! Start your free trial now!

Technology is a vital part of a child’s world now. Today’s kids don’t remember a day without the internet or handheld devices. 

Online games and videos, ebooks and social media fully integrate into everyday life. Even textbooks and homework assignments are virtual for many schools. 

So it makes sense that using a reading tutor online would help today’s tech-centric kids who struggle with reading to become more proficient.

However, many parents try to limit their child’s exposure to screens and digital media. So how often should kids use a reading tutor online when literacy struggles and screen time are at war?

There are No Firm Screen Time Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not provide specific limitations on screen time for older children. As technology has invaded the classroom, limiting screen time and technology use has become seemingly impossible. Many schools utilize 1:1 computing, which means that every student is equipped with a Chromebook for lessons and homework.

Many young kids also have their own smartphones, and nearly every teen has access to a smartphone, too. Contact and communication—and screen exposure—is constant. Kids text friends, connect via social media platforms and even watch movies and shows on devices. When they come home from school, computers power up and assignments begin…virtually!

Since technology use is the norm, parents may turn to online reading programs to help a child that is behind peers in Lexile level or literacy benchmarks. Online platforms may easily integrate into a child’s tech savvy routine, but parents may worry that this extra time only extends screen use and dependency.

A reading tutor online, however, serves as a virtual reading assistant to help kids catch pronunciation mistakes and provide meaningful feedback during lessons. This virtual helper can prove to be an extremely important resource for families who cannot afford the rate of a real-life tutor.  

How Much Tutor Time is Enough…or Too Much?

With many online reading programs—including Readability—children progress at their own speed. Some kids become so engrossed in reading lessons that they lose track of how long they have been on the program.

Others could tire out a bit more easily or may become bored or disengaged as their attention wanes. How much tutor time a child utilizes is very much a decision that is left to the parents.

Parents could also decide to use online reading time as a part of nightly reading minutes to limit screen time (if kids often read ebooks) or just to lower the risk eyestrain. When new books from the Harry Potter series were released, kids often read so long that they began to suffer from a unique diagnosis: “Hogwart’s Headaches.”

Kids should not read to the point that they experience headaches, eye pain or other issues. While parents may have a time limit, if pain or other issues become apparent, kids need to take a break.

What if Kids Avoid Reading Completely?

The flip side could also hold true. Some kids hate reading; they will avoid books at all costs. The more a child reads, though, the more proficient they will become at reading. It’s important that kids engage both with online intervention programs and bound books.

For kids that hate reading, try these tips:

• Create a fun atmosphere. Build a reading fort!
• Start a reading routine. Make reading time a part of a bedtime routine so that it becomes a habit.
• Follow along an audiobook. Let kids follow the text as the book is read aloud.
• Make a habit to watch the movie of every book you read (if one exists). Then talk to kids about the differences or similarities. Did the movie follow the plot of the book?
• Have conversations during reading. Keep kids engaged by asking questions about the characters and plot.

Choose books that are colorful or well-illustrated to break up the overwhelming amount of text.

Keep in mind that when kids complete lessons through Readability, the online tutor will help keep them engaged. Any time a child stumbles or has pronunciation issues, the tutor will gently guide and correct the mistakes.

Readability’s online tutor also provides positive feedback during lessons. Kids will feel a sense of encouragement during lessons. When kids feel happy and supported, they will enjoy lessons even more.

Should You Set a Timer During Online Tutoring or Reading Time?

When kids are working with their online reading tutor or reading independently, keeping a running tally of time will just lead to frustration and interruptions. Timers may seem useful to keep a child reading for 20 minutes, but what happens if they become engrossed in lessons or a book and the timer blares? The child stops reading!

Have a benchmark time limit and then encourage kids to take a break for a bit. If a child is ready to stop reading after 30 minutes, it’s ok to let them step away. Reading time shouldn’t be a battle, a fight or a timed event.

If your child is struggling with reading or is reading below grade level, a reading tutor online could help boost their proficiency. Try Readability for free to see if it meets the needs of your child!

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child struggle with reading. Parents often feel helpless in this situation, but there’s actually a way for parents to step in and help their children succeed. Reading tutors can provide additional help to your child outside of the classroom so they can quickly improve their skills and catch up with their classmates.

Searching for a “free reading tutor near me” may return a mishmash of confusing results. Simplify the process by following these tips to find the perfect tutor:

Try Tutoring Your Child

Many parents live busy lives with very little free time. But if you are able to, you may want to consider tutoring your child yourself. No one understands your child quite like you do, so you may be able to teach your child in a way that other tutors cannot.

Make sure your child is comfortable with this arrangement before making it official. Some children love learning from their parents, whereas others may prefer working one-on-one with a professional tutor. Children have to be comfortable with the idea in order to benefit from your tutoring, so discuss this with them before exploring other free tutoring options.

Talk to Your Child’s School

You should also discuss your need for a free reading tutor with your child’s school. Many schools offer a number of free tutoring options through after school programs. If these programs aren’t available, the school may be willing to arrange for a classroom aide to tutor your child before or after school hours.

The principal or guidance counselor may also know of an older student at school who excels at reading and is willing to help. For example, if your child is in first grade, a fourth or fifth grader who has advanced reading skills may be able to tutor your child. In fact, kids may feel more comfortable working with someone who is so close to their own age.

Contact Local Colleges

If there is a college near you, contact the dean of the college of education to ask about tutoring services. Students who are studying to become elementary school teachers may provide tutoring services in order to earn extra money while they finish school.

Since these students are studying to become teachers, they will know exactly how to teach your child the skills they need to achieve academic success. Plus, tutoring will help these students gain invaluable experience, so they may not charge much, if anything, for their services.

Reach Out to Non-Profit Organizations

Schools and universities aren’t the only places that could offer free reading tutoring services for children in your community. Parents should also make an effort to contact local non-profit organizations in the area.

There are a number of non-profit organizations that offer free tutoring services to local children. For example, the Boys and Girls Club of America provides homework assistance for children who are in grades K-12. The Learn to Be Foundation is another non-profit organization that provides free reading tutoring services for struggling readers. If these organizations are located near you, don’t hesitate to contact them to learn more.

Research these non-profit organizations—and others in your community—to see if any are a good fit for your child.

Join the PTA

If you are running out of options, consider becoming a member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) so you can advocate for change. Encourage other parents and teachers to support establishing free tutoring services for children at the school.

Even if you cannot bring free tutoring to your child’s school, joining the PTA can help you connect with other parents who are dealing with similar issues with their children. They may be able to provide valuable insight on how to find a reliable tutor based on their own experience.

Go Digital 

You don’t have to look very far for a low-cost reading tutor. Why? Your child can connect with a virtual reading tutor by downloading the Readability app on their smartphone or tablet device. Using this app, children can either listen to stories or try reading them aloud on their own. The app uses advanced speech recognition and artificial intelligence technology to listen to your child read and instantly correct their mistakes. Receiving this type of real-time feedback can help them learn from their errors and become stronger readers.

Parents, visit the Google Play or Apple App store to download the Readability app and sign up for your free 7-day trial today. Then, watch your child blossom into a better reader!