6 Reasons to Use a Reading Program for Struggling Readers

September 29, 2020

6 Reasons to Use a Reading Program for Struggling Readers

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!

6 Reasons to Use a Reading Program for Struggling Readers

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.

6 Reasons to Use a Reading Program for Struggling Readers

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!