Kids focus on learning the fundamentals of reading in first and second grade. But in third grade, kids start to develop more complex reading skills that they will continue to rely on for the rest of their lives. There’s no doubt that third grade is a crucial time in your child’s academic career, which is why it’s so important to ensure they aren’t falling behind. If your child begins to struggle with reading, there are a number of ways you can help them improve the skills they need to succeed. Follow this guide to reading programs for 3rd graders:

What Should My 3rd Grader Be Reading?

Every child learns at their own pace, especially when it comes to reading. But there are certain reading skills that every child should master in third grade, including:

• Reading grade level texts aloud accurately, at a natural pace, and with expression
• Reading words with multiple syllables, including irregularly spelled words
• Self-correcting pronunciation mistakes
• Answering questions related to the text
• Reading a variety of texts, including non-fiction, fiction, fables, and poetry
• Figuring out what unfamiliar words mean using context clues
• Being able to discuss their own opinions regarding the main characters, events, and story in general
• Identifying words that make up a contraction
• Becoming familiar with common synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms

If your child is struggling to develop these skills, they may benefit from participating in a reading program for third graders.

How Can I Help My 3rd Grader With Reading?

Signing up for a reading program is one way to help your child become a better reader. But there are a number of other ways to help your third grader develop crucial reading skills. Follow these tips at home:

• Challenge your child to a reading race. Time your child as they read aloud a specific passage. Then, ask them to read it aloud again to see if they can beat their previous record. This exercise will help your child improve their reading speed, which is an important skill they must master in the third grade.
• Play online reading games together. Search for reading games that are designed to improve the skills your child is struggling to develop. For example, Chicktionary is a game that is designed to help kids learn new words, so it’s ideal for third graders who need to broaden their vocabulary.
• Read a book together and then watch the movie adaptation. After the movie is over, lead a discussion on the similarities and differences between the two versions. Ask your child to talk about which version they liked better. This is a fun way to improve your child’s reading comprehension skills.
• Give your child background information. Before your child begins reading a new book, provide them with background information on relevant topics. For example, if your child is reading a book on a famous historical figure, talk about the era in which the person lived before they begin reading. Providing this information can help them extract a deeper meaning from the text.

Where Can I Find Reading Programs For 3rd Graders?

Enrolling in a reading program is a great way to encourage your child to read. Fortunately, there are plenty of reading programs that are specifically designed to help children in the third grade. Here’s where you can find these helpful reading programs near you:

• Library: Contact your local library to find out if they offer reading programs for elementary school students. Many libraries host weekly reading group meetings for school-aged children and their parents. Participating in these sessions will keep your child engaged and motivated to keep reading.
• Barnes & Noble: Nothing motivates a child more than a reward, which is why the Barnes & Noble reading program for third graders is ideal for struggling readers. By participating in this program, your third grader can earn free books from your local Barnes & Noble.
• Scholastic: The Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza is an online reading program that gives kids access to full books, live events, games, and the opportunity to earn rewards for reading.

These are some of the many places where you can find reading programs for your third grader. If you’re having trouble locating a program near you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school for suggestions.

What is the Best Program to Teach Reading?

There are a number of different reading programs to choose from, but none that can unlock your child’s reading potential quite like the Readability app. Readability is the only reading and comprehension app that your child can use on their own anytime, anywhere. Thanks to its responsive speech recognition and artificial intelligence technology, using the Readability app is just like talking to a reading tutor!

Give your third grader the tools they need to succeed by downloading the Readability app and starting your free 7-day trial today.