Reading is an essential skill that every person must acquire to lead a successful life, but learning to read can be challenging for many children. However, with the right help, any child can become a proficient reader regardless of how much they struggle. 

As a parent, you play a vital role in recognizing when your child struggles to read and knowing how to help them. We will discuss some helpful strategies that parents can employ to aid their struggling children. 

How To Recognize Reading Problems

A few critical indicators will help you know whether a child is struggling to learn to read or not. Not all children will display all of these indicators, but most children will display at least several of them.

These indicators include difficulty with hearing individual sounds, rhyming, retelling a story, following directions, sounding out most words, as well as avoiding reading aloud. If your child is displaying one or more of these characteristics, then they might be struggling to read. 

Let’s take a look at some strategies to improve their reading skills. 

Meeting With Their Teacher

This is one of the most important things you can do to improve your child’s reading skills. Gather examples of their work that reflects your concerns, and ask the teacher for their observations. 

You can then discuss what can be done both at school and at home to help your child improve their reading skills. Be sure to stay in contact with the teacher to monitor your child’s progress and ensure that they are getting the help they need. 

Meet With the Principal Or Reading Specialist

If you have already met with your child’s teacher and have not noticed an improvement in their reading performance, then you can meet with other professionals at the school to see if there are services, classes, or other interventions available. The principal will help you with this and guide you through the process of getting your child involved in these options. 

If your child’s school has a reading specialist, then you should consider talking with them, as well. They will provide specialized classes designed to improve your child’s reading skills while also addressing their individual needs. 

Get an Evaluation

A professional team, which may consist of a speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, or reading specialist, can give your child a series of tests and determine whether they are eligible to receive special education services. If they are, then you have the option of placing your child in a special education program to help improve their reading. 

Concluding Thoughts

Reading problems do not have to get in the way of your child’s education. There are many ways that you can help them learn to read proficiently – all it takes is a little time and dedication.