How to Teach Reading: Helping Kids with Reading Difficulties

Does your kid struggle with the basic reading or sometimes he fails to identify the alphabets? Let’s not bother about high sounding words, complex text and sophisticated style. Take a moment to answer the question – Do you think your kids’ reading level does not match their grade level? If you are nodding along, rest assured, you are not alone. Many parents face similar concerns when it comes to their children’s reading abilities, especially as they enter higher grades.

But here’s the good news: there are plenty of ways you can support your child in overcoming these reading difficulties, and one of the most effective methods is reading together.

Why reading together matters?

Reading together can make the learning easy and interesting for children with reading difficulties. It offers them the opportunity to hear consistent model reading, engage in discussions about the text, and receive support when they encounter challenging words or concepts. Moreover, it helps build their confidence as readers, knowing that they have a supportive ally by their side.

Tips for successful shared English reading sessions

1. Choose engaging material:

Know your child’s interests and reading level, before you curate the book list. For instance, reading a story is a better choice for the kids with reading difficulties. Unlike nonfiction texts, stories offer an immense reading experience in enhancing coherence and style. It is better not to select picture books, as the kids can be easily distracted with the colourful images and may lose interest in the actual reading. Moreover, books with large prints ensures a hassle-free experience for the young learners.

2. Take turns reading:

Make reading into a game; taking turns would help. The best practise is to start by reading one line each taking turns. This helps in reducing the pressure of reading every word while still allowing them to participate actively.

3. Promote active reading:

Foster critical thinking and comprehension by asking personal opinion questions about the story, character and themes. This way you can encourage a child to express their thoughts and opinions, even if they struggle to articulate them at first.

4. Repetition is the Key:

Remember that your kid is not adamant, and he is just going through a tough time finding letters and trying to sound sensible. Won’t you support him with the soft smile and a ‘you – can – read – it’ looks? At least, try to make repetition fun.

5. Celebrate progress:

Celebrate milestones, such as completing a small paragraph or mastering a new vocabulary word, to boost their confidence and motivation.

Reading together isn’t just about helping your child improve their reading skills; it’s about curating interest and spreading the love for learning. When you sit down with your child and share a book, you are not providing them with valuable one-on-one time but also showing them that reading is enjoyable and worthwhile.