If you are searching for information about “how to help my child read faster”, chances are that you are already aware that your child is struggling with reading.

Fortunately, as with most skills, reading can be mastered by most children. As their ability increases, so will their reading speed.

Have you ever struggled to learn something? Of course, you have! That start of the learning curve can feel brutal, but as you practice more and more, what once seemed impossible can become a reflex action and something you hardly need to think about anymore.

So, let’s take a look at how to help your child to read faster by improving their ability and confidence.

How Can I Improve My Child’s Reading Speed?

Before a child can learn to read quickly, they should learn to read well . This doesn’t mean only being able to sound out words, but also truly understanding what they are reading.

In order to do this, a child will likely progress through the following steps:

• Learn the alphabet, including the sounds and names of letters
• Start to recognize small words
• Continually learn words through conversations, listening to stories, and school
• Learn to sound out basic words, such as B A T
• Start to relate words and sentences to pictures in books
• Their ability should develop until they can read sentences
• As their vocabulary grows, they will develop more of an understanding of texts. However, this needs to be tested and supported through questions, retelling stories, matching to pictures etc.

This isn’t exactly how every child learns and the order can vary, but more children will go through these phases.

As a parent, it is important to encourage them to read as much as possible, read to them when you can, and show an interest in what they have read or learned (through friendly questioning).

Never make it a chore, as you want them to want to read by themselves and enjoy the experience. Reading should always be fun and supported by a carer, tutor, or reading app. 

Two of the best ways to increase speed when the child’s reading fluency is high enough is to do timed reading challenges and practice rereading books they enjoy.

How Do You Increase Reading Fluency?

Below are our top 5 ways to help increase reading fluency. As reading fluency increases, a child’s natural reading speed should also steadily increase.

1. Read Aloud – Listening to stories, especially when following the words on the page, is a great way to increase reading fluency.
2. Use Apps that Read Aloud – Parents don’t always have the time to read to their children, but it doesn’t mean the kids can’t enjoy a good story. Reading apps are available to read stories to children whenever they feel like it.
3. Play Word Games – This can be done anywhere and anytime. However, recognizing a full word without having to break down the sounds is a big step towards faster reading.
4. Listen and Repeat – With this, the child can first hear how the words should sound and how the sentence should be read out loud. Then they try to do the same while following the words in the story.
5. Relate to Pictures and Life – A story is great, but to increase fluency and interest it is best if the child can fully understand it and relate to it. Connecting key points with the pictures, or talking about how a story relates to their experiences can greatly increase their interest.

By following the above steps, you will be heading in the right direction to improving their fluency.

How Fast Can a Child Learn to Read?

On average they say children can read by 6 or 7. However, this shouldn’t be considered a ‘deadline’. Children learn at different speeds and in different ways.

If they can read by 4 or 5, then great. However, even if they aren’t a fluent reader by 7, it isn’t the end of the world. They can still catch up with support and practice.

Just keep encouraging them and don’t give up.

How to Help Your Child to Read with a 24/7 AI Reading Tutor

AI technology has rapidly evolved in the last few years. This has led to a great breakthrough, where AI can provide high-levels of reading support as a reading tutor.

The great thing about this is that the AI is always available, so whether it is 10 pm or 4 am, the child can get the reading support they want.

An AI never judges and allows them to practice in private and with confidence. Some of the features include:

• Read stories aloud so the child can listen
• Guided reading
• Pronunciation correction (the AI can adapt to each child and help them improve)
• Fun and level appropriate stories, where the AI recommends what to read next based on both ability and interests
• Available anytime and anyplace
• Bright and colorful illustrations
• Goal setting features
• Real-time progress reports for parents
• Available for multiple readers under one app

Are you still wondering “how to help my child read faster”? Stop worrying and start acting. Sign up for a free trial of Readability and see their reading begin improving.