How can you help my child to get better at reading? They struggle so much at school.

Answer 1

Hello,

I see this so much when I tutor grade school through high school students. I think the issue is that what schools teach students and have them do are mostly designed standardized tests or other core competencies..

Students who struggle with those exercises in school are often no "fans of reading." The reason is because they start off feeling behind. They have internalized that reading and answering those questions can be humiliating. They get punished for trying. The pattern is usually is something similar to this: reading becomes stressful, public, and confidence-draining. After enough “wrong answers” and uncomfortable moments, many kids start to avoid reading altogether, which makes improvement even harder. The result is they pull away from reading and do not enjoy it.

I started teaching English 101 and Intro to Linguistics back in the late 1990s. I can tell from reading any writing by a student who is a reader and who is not. I think most English teachers can see this.

The good news is that reading is not one skill. Reading is comprised of a bundle of skills, and students can be strong in some and weak in others. In tutoring, I start by pinpointing where the breakdown is, for example:

1. Decoding and phonics (trouble sounding out words, slow reading)
2. Fluency (accuracy, pace, phrasing, stamina)
3. Vocabulary (not knowing key words blocks comprehension)
4. Comprehension (understanding, summarizing, inference)
5. Attention and working memory (losing the thread, forgetting what was read)

My approach starts with figuring out why a student is struggling. Giving your child more reading that is like school work is going to end up being counter productive. This is not always the case as I have seen students learn to improve by doing school exercises; however, I would definitely say that is not the norm.

Reading should be for enjoyment and entertainment. If your child does not read for either of those reasons, then by the time he or she is in a university then it might be too late. Find ways to make reading fun and enjoyable. The goal isn't just improving grades. Grade improvement is a byproduct. The goal is helping students become someone who actually reads.

Answer 2

1. Figure out what reading level they are.
2. Find out their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Go back to the basics- phonics really does work.
4. Practice practice practice (It makes perfect)

Answer 3

When a child is struggling with reading, it can feel frustrating and confusing for them and for you. In almost every case, it’s not about effort or ability. It’s simply that they haven’t received instruction that matches how their brain learns. That’s exactly where I come in.

I’m a New York State certified Reading and Special Education teacher with a Master’s in Reading and Literacy, Orton-Gillingham training, and over a decade of experience supporting struggling and dyslexic readers. I’ve worked in public schools, private practice, and I am currently enrolled in the Dyslexia Training Institute’s Certificate Program, which deepens my expertise in evidence-based instruction.

Because of that background, I’m able to pinpoint why a child is struggling and create a plan that actually works.

Here’s what working together looks like:

1. A clear, expert assessment of your child’s reading profile.

We identify the root issues: phonological awareness, decoding, spelling patterns, memory for words, fluency, or confidence. I look beyond grade-level scores to understand the skills beneath them.

2. Instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.

I use structured, multisensory methods like Orton-Gillingham that are backed by decades of research on how the brain learns to read. This approach is systematic, explicit, and tailored to your child.

3. Multisensory routines that make learning “stick.”

We tap into visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways to help your child truly understand how words work. This builds stronger decoding skills, more accurate spelling, and greater fluency.

4. A huge focus on confidence and emotional support.

Many kids come to me feeling defeated. That changes once they experience real success. I teach skills, but I also help rebuild their belief in themselves.

5. Collaboration with you every step of the way.

You will always know what we are working on, how it’s going, and simple ways to support progress at home without adding stress.

Answer 4

Hello:

I am sorry to hear that your child is struggling at school. That is difficult for any parent.

I would need additional information to help you figure out a way forward, though. How old is your child, and what is the source of their struggles in school? That information will help me help you help your child improve as a reader.

Answer 5

Helping a child get better at reading can be a fun and rewarding experience! There are several strategies you can try to improve their reading skills. Here are some ideas that I use in my classroom and I have used them with my own child as well:

1. Choose the Right Reading Material

1. Interest-Based Reading: Make sure the books match the child's interests. If they like football, animals, or princesses, pick books related to those themes to keep them engaged.
2. Level-Appropriate Books: Start with books that are not too difficult but still provide a bit of a challenge. This way, the child doesn’t feel overwhelmed but can still improve.
3. Don't Limit Reading to Just Books: When your child is watching TV turn on the closed caption. At breakfast you read the back of the cereal box with them and play the games.

2. Read Aloud Together

1. Take turns reading aloud. You read one page, they read the next. This helps them build confidence and practice pronunciation.
2. You can also stop and discuss the story together as you go to make sure they understand what's happening.

3. Phonics Practice

1. If the child is just starting to read, practicing phonics (sounds of letters and combinations of letters) is key. Use games or flashcards to make this more interactive.
2. Play rhyming games or make up silly stories to practice word sounds.

4. Build Vocabulary

1. Introduce new words while reading. If the child doesn’t know a word, explain it using simple language and give examples.
2. Help them find synonyms for words or look up words together in a dictionary (even better, do this with a picture dictionary for younger children!).

5. Ask Questions

1. After reading a section or a chapter, ask questions about what they just read. This helps with comprehension. For example:
2. "What do you think will happen next?"
3. "Why did the character do that?"
4. "How did the character feel when that happened?"

6. Create a Reading Routine

1. Set aside a regular time each day for reading. A consistent reading routine can improve fluency over time.

7. Use Technology

1. There are many apps and websites designed to make reading fun, like Starfall, Epic!, or Teach Your Monster to Read. These can help children practice in an interactive and engaging way.

8. Praise Effort, Not Just Achievement

1. Celebrate small wins! If they read a whole book, say something like, "You worked so hard to finish that!" This will motivate them to keep reading.

9. Make it Fun

1. Use activities like acting out stories or drawing pictures about what they read. You could also create a “reading scavenger hunt” where they look for certain words or objects in a story.
2. As your are driving down the road, play games like "I Spy."

10. Be Patient

1. Every child learns at their own pace, so try to be patient and encouraging. Celebrate every little progress, and remind them that reading is a skill that improves with time.

Do you have a child or someone in mind you're helping with reading? I can offer more tailored tips if you'd like!

Answer 6

I know how hard it is to watch your child struggle with reading. I meet children where they are and teach in a supportive way using the Orton-Gillingham approach, which breaks reading into clear, manageable steps and uses hands-on learning. This is especially helpful for children with dyslexia or reading anxiety. We move at your child’s pace, rebuild confidence, and help reading begin to feel possible instead of overwhelming.

Answer 7

Reading is a like a muscle, and it gets better with practice. The key for most students is to find books that they love outside of their school curriculum. Not only will they find a subject that excites them, but they will want to read. As a tutor, I strongly suggest that students read outside of school. The amount depends on their level of reading and age.

That being said, I would need to get to the root of what is making the subject so difficult for them at school. Is learning how to read the problem? Or, is the issue reading comprehension? Both of these things can be improved! And while learning how to read is essential to gaining excellent reading comprehension, just because a student can read well doesn't mean they interpret what their reading.

I will always ask students what they specifically struggle with when it comes to reading, and develop a plan from there.

Answer 8

That is a terrific question. In my experience as an elementary classroom teacher, the best strategy have found is to listen to the student as they read... Each student is as individual as a fingerprint, this goes for reading as well. When listening to readers, especially beginning readers, can deduce where the reading needs the most support. For instance, sometimes a student will say each letter in a word like 'cat'...the pronunciation can be quite choppy, many times this indicates a possible struggle going from identifying letters to forming words with those letters. Be glad to tutor your child to be an amazing reader! Please review my Profile and Instant Booking time slots, we can start as soon as you like! Thank you much, Stef

Answer 9

I would help by first identifying why your child struggles—whether it's decoding, fluency, or comprehension—and then by using tailored, multi-sensory techniques that build confidence and skill.

My approach is patient, fun, and leverages their unique strengths, turning frustration into a sense of accomplishment.

Let's work together to make reading an enjoyable journey for your young learner..

Answer 10

I see a lot of great answers! All of it is correct. I am more than confident that I can support both you and your learner experience success with an abundant amount of targeted knowledge and strategy in phonics, fluency, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and engagement.

However, in my experience, the following factors proved to be the most important factors that lead to strong, engaged readers:

1. Learners feel like they can be successful.
2. Learners see and celebrate their successes.
3. Learners enjoy what they are reading.

In short, keeping students engaged and motivated. This takes a talented teacher! I can definitely help.

YES: Assess areas needing improvement and strengths

YES: High-interest, low difficulty text

YES: Implement targeted practice that engages the child and builds their skills.

BUT AGAIN, most importantly, implement engaging ways for your students to experience success and build a sense of competency. None of what we do matters if the learner does not experience growth in both their skill and autonomy. The biggest is the learner knowing she can do it. This way, any future reading challenge the learner confronts, she will have the grit, courage, and enthusiasm to work through it.

I'd love to help you and the learning community! Hope to speak soon.

Answer 11

The first thing is to do an assessment. I would have the student read some text. From that I can determine if they are having problems with recognizing words. If so, some instruction in phonics would help. Then we would read a brand new story and I would ask the student some questions about images in the story that show their ability to interpret information. I would include some fun learning activities of course.

Answer 12

Reading struggles are more common than most parents realize, and the good news is that with the right support, children can make fast and lasting progress. I focus on building reading confidence through personalized instruction that targets your child’s specific needs — whether that’s phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, or fluency.

My lessons combine proven strategies in literacy development with encouragement and patience to help students rediscover the joy of reading. I also teach students how to recognize word patterns, improve decoding skills, and develop strategies for understanding meaning rather than just “sounding out” words.

Every child learns differently, so I always adapt my approach to match their pace, strengths, and interests. With consistent practice and positive reinforcement, your child will begin reading more fluently — and start to feel proud of their progress.

Answer 13

I can definitely help with that — and I’m really glad you reached out. Reading struggles are common, and with the right mix of strategies, practice, and encouragement, most children make major progress.

Here’s a structured plan I can create and work through with your child:

🌱 1. Find Out What’s Causing the Struggle

Before jumping into lessons, I can help you identify where the challenge is:

1. Phonics: Trouble sounding out words or recognizing letter patterns.
2. Fluency: Reading too slowly or without expression.
3. Comprehension: Reading words correctly but not understanding what they mean.
4. Confidence/Anxiety: Avoiding reading because they feel frustrated or embarrassed.

I can guide you through a few quick, informal reading checks to pinpoint which area(s) need attention.

📘 2. Create a Personalized Reading Plan

Once we know the challenge, I can design a weekly plan that includes:

1. Short daily reading sessions (10–20 minutes)
2. Targeted skill activities — for example:
3. Fun phonics games for decoding practice
4. “Echo reading” or “paired reading” for fluency
5. Short comprehension questions for meaning
6. Tracking progress with a simple chart so your child sees improvement over time.

🎯 3. Use High-Interest, Low-Difficulty Books

Kids improve faster when they actually like what they’re reading.

I can recommend books that:

1. Match your child’s reading level and age
2. Feature topics they enjoy (e.g., animals, space, adventures)
3. Have strong visual support and predictable text patterns

💬 4. Practice Together With Support

I can model step-by-step techniques you can use at home, such as:

1. Echo reading: You read a sentence; your child repeats it.
2. Choral reading: Read together at the same time.
3. Preview and predict: Talk about what might happen next to build comprehension.

🧠 5. Build Confidence and Motivation

Kids who struggle often start believing “I’m just bad at reading.”

I can help design a reward system or mini-goals that keep it positive — for example:

1. Stickers or points for completing books
2. Celebrating each milestone (“You just read 100 pages this month!”)

Answer 14

I’d love to help your child with reading. The best place to start is by building their confidence. I usually work on phonics (helping them connect letters and sounds), fluency (reading short passages over again until they feel smooth), and comprehension (talking about what the story means). I also use books and topics they enjoy, so it feels fun instead of frustrating. Even just 10–15 minutes a day of reading together can make a big difference. I can also share some simple practice activities and book ideas that match their level.

Answer 15

I know people who have had this same issue. They used video games that had no dialogue to help encourage their child get better at reading while using something they are interested in.

I would suggest getting them books on subjects that they are most interested in. Golden Books has books out now about Taylor Swift, Wicked and many other current celebrities and films. Your local librarian will have an idea of popular book titles for her age.

Just remember that the reading and will come with patient and hard work. I was the same way when I was in Elementary school too. My past teachers said that one day it all just clicked and I began reading like crazy. They figured I wanted to read Disney books. The reading will click for your child too.

Can you talk to your child's teacher about testing for dyslexia if that has not come up? Many dyslexics can learn to read it is just harder and many struggle. Dyslexia is when the letters are jumbled up and mixed up to create tomato soup instead of a word. I have known Dyslexics who were huge readers so don't give up if that is the case.

Answer 16

Helping your child get better at reading starts with breaking it into small, fun steps so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Focus on phonics first by practicing the sounds letters make, then blend those sounds into words. Use simple, colorful books and let your child read with you—take turns reading sentences so they feel supported. If they get stuck, don’t rush them; gently guide them to sound out the word. Make reading part of daily life by labeling things around the house, playing word games, or letting them pick stories they enjoy. Since they struggle in school, extra encouragement and praise at home can build their confidence. For ESL/ESOL learners, connect words to pictures and real-life actions so they understand the meaning as well as the sound. The key is patience, consistency, and making reading feel like a fun discovery instead of a chore.

Answer 17

How can you help my child to get better at reading? They struggle so much at school.

School can be hard. Teachers have multiple children to serve. That means multiple learning styles, multiple backgrounds, multiple achievement levels, multiple interests. That’s hard - both for the teacher & also for the student.

A tutor has one child to serve. That means getting to know one child, one learning style, one background, one achievement level, & one set of interests. Understanding all these things & approaching the child individually, at that child’s pace, can make a huge difference! An experienced, well-trained reading tutor has the flexibility & time to design, & re-design, ways to meet your child’s needs.

I always start with the student, lead him/her into an appropriate book at the right reading level & most importantly at the right interest level, then use the book as the springboard for all reading skills that need improvement & bring this all back to the student’s life & interests.

This approach makes reading about the child. There is a reason the student wants to get better at phonics, learn more vocabulary words, improve comprehension: because it’s fun, interesting & relevant.

Answer 18

Virtually all children struggling in school, including the brightest children, suffer from slightly too-slow processing speed for language. Just 30 milliseconds too slow—(it takes 100 milliseconds to blink your eye)— means children cannot reliably detect tiny elements in speech such as the difference between the CH sound and the SH sound, tangling up their grasp of directions and explanations. This has nothing to do with intelligence.

Many extremely bright children struggle with this “hidden handicap.”

These children may not be clear whether the teacher said “wash your hands“ or “watch your hands.“. These children often need directions repeated and may have trouble with complex instructions. Just one critical element – faster language processing in the brain — can resolve the problem.

In reading, these children may sound out words slowly and with frequent mistakes. Phonics instruction has not eliminated their problems because phonics does not address the underlying problem. These children may still reverse sounds and say “trap“ instead of “tarp,” or add sounds and say “started out the window“ instead of “stared out the window.“. This means that they won’t understand the story, and they won’t be able to tell you why they don’t. And they will suffer from disappointing you. And they will feel stupid, which they’re not.

All this can be corrected by using patented neuroscience exercises (“ games”) to raise processing speed for language. The correction usually takes two to three months of closely guided practice. Let me urge you to lay this foundation before you use standard phonics approaches such as OG.

For research, you can look up the work of Dr. Michael Merzenich or Dr. Paula Tallal, the neuroscientists behind this amazing approach to helping kids read. Research at Harvard, Yale, and the University of California shows dramatic results.

Our first consultation will be free. Please bring the results of any testing you’ve already had done.

Answer 19

Thank you so much for sharing about your child. I completely understand how discouraging it can feel when reading is a struggle at school. My approach is to first get to know your child—their current strengths, what feels hard, and even what they enjoy outside of school. From there, I tailor lessons to meet them right where they are, rather than expecting them to fit into a one-size-fits-all program.

When I work with elementary readers, I use a mix of phonics-based instruction, hands-on activities, and interactive games that make reading both meaningful and fun. I also weave in research and evidence based strategies to improve comprehension and confidence, so your child learns not only how to read words, but also how to understand and enjoy what they’re reading.

Because our sessions will be online, I incorporate engaging tools and visuals to keep learning lively and interactive—never just another worksheet. Most importantly, I create a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process. That way, your child can take risks, build skills step by step, and experience success each session.

My goal is to help your child feel proud of themselves as a reader—not just to catch up, but to gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive.

Answer 20

Here’s how I’d approach helping your child improve reading skills:

1. Assess strengths and challenges – I start by identifying exactly where your child struggles, whether it’s decoding words, understanding vocabulary, or comprehending text.
2. Build phonics and word recognition – Using targeted exercises, we focus on letter-sound relationships, sight words, and decoding strategies, so reading becomes less frustrating and more automatic.
3. Expand vocabulary – I introduce new words in meaningful contexts and practice using them in sentences, which helps with both reading comprehension and writing.
4. Improve comprehension skills – We practice summarizing, predicting, and asking questions about the text, helping your child understand and remember what they read.
5. Make reading engaging and confidence-building – I choose age-appropriate, interesting materials and celebrate small successes to boost confidence and motivation.

Answer 21

How can I help your child get better at reading?

As a certified K–8 teacher with a literacy endorsement 📚 and over 25 years of classroom experience, I specialize in helping students who struggle with reading—whether it’s phonics, fluency, comprehension, or confidence.

I use up-to-date, research-backed methods grounded in the Science of Reading 🧠. Unlike speaking, which is a natural process the brain is wired for, reading is not an innate skill—it must be explicitly taught and practiced step by step. That’s where I come in. I use structured, phonics-based lessons to build strong decoding skills and help your child master the building blocks of reading.

📖 Reading comprehension is another area where many students get stuck. I teach proven strategies like visualization, making connections, asking questions, summarizing, and identifying main ideas and supporting details. We work together to build the mental "toolbox" students need to understand and remember what they read—whether it's fiction, textbooks, or word problems in math.

But it’s not just about the method—it’s also about the relationship. I work hard to build trust 🤝 and help students feel safe, supported, and capable. Once your child starts experiencing small wins and sees that reading is something they can do, their confidence grows—and that’s when real progress begins.

Most students I work with show measurable growth within weeks, and many move up a full grade level in just a few months! 🌟

If your child is falling behind or frustrated with reading, don’t wait. I’d love to partner with you to turn things around. Message me, Michele W., today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward helping your child thrive. Scroll to the bottom of the profile page to find the message me button. ✨📩