Most children will encounter one or more of these problems whilst learning to read. Here are some ideas on how to support your child if any of these issues arise.
Common Reading Difficulties in Children
Children may face various challenges when it comes to reading. Some of the most common reading difficulties:
1. Dyslexia: Difficulty with decoding words, spelling, and phonological awareness, which can make reading feel frustrating.
2. Phonemic Awareness Issues: Struggling to recognize and manipulate sounds in words, which affects decoding and blending.
3. Poor Reading Fluency: Slow, disjointed reading with frequent pauses, making it harder to understand and enjoy the text.
4. Reading Comprehension Issues: Difficulty understanding or recalling what they’ve read, even if they can read the words correctly.
5. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD): Difficulty staying focused during reading, which may result in skipped words or unfinished tasks.
Early support through tutoring or therapy can help children overcome these challenges and improve their reading skills.
Lack of interest and doesn’t read widely
This is very common during early years of reading. Regular reading to a child helps to get them involved and interested. To encourage them to read themselves, you could try to find books related to films, tv programmes, etc. and topics of interest e.g. science experiments, football. Also, you could relate their reading to practical tasks e.g. instructions how to build a model or perform a magic trick. Children are fascinated by fairy tales, myths and legends, which are usually short and have strong plots. These can also be told to the child, which can stimulate their interest.
Non-fiction texts often have photos and illustrations to intrigue the child. Consider the value of comics, magazines and the internet (carefully monitored). Reading in the environment will help, particularly in the early stages e.g. adverts, posters, maps, etc. Puzzle and sticker books can also be a way in.
Texts are too difficult and child lacks confidence
It is important to try to identify the problem. At the same time, it is vital not to let your child struggle. To avoid this you can: read to and/or with the child; sample the book before reading it, looking at the pictures and any ‘hard words’, or read books on a similar theme but at a more appropriate level. Ask your child to read little and often giving plenty of praise, as this will build a positive reading habit. It is good to identify those parts that the child reads well e.g. “I really like the way you sounded out that word”. If the problem lies with a school book, inform the school of the difficulties.
Decoding problems
Encourage your child to use phonics and syllables (for longer words). It can be helpful to prompt your child to continue reading and then go back to a word, so that they can use the context and sense of the text to decipher a word they don’t know. Sometimes it is best to just to give the word, such as names and places. If your child continues to have problems with phonics, inform the school and ask for advice.
Fluency and expression
If your child is hesitant when reading, ask yourself whether the book is too challenging. With younger children it can be valuable to read the text more than once. Try demonstrating how to use their voice for punctuation and characters. Often we like to relax with undemanding texts and children do too.
Easily bored and lack of stamina
Boredom can arise because the book/text is not interesting for them or there may be a lack of challenge in the book selected. Consider the value of short stories. Allowing children to choose their own books from an appropriate selection is also a useful strategy.
Poor comprehension
It is important from the earliest stages of reading to engage in the discussion of texts with your child; this includes texts read to them as well as by them. It can be useful to ask a question or give a task before they read e.g. Let’s see if we can find out five facts about tigers, as well as asking questions during and at the end of reading.
Inaccurate reading and missing out words
Before reading, remind your child to read with care. If they make a mistake, you could ask your child to re-read the sentence and point to the text. On occasions it can be helpful if you repeat what the child has read and ask them to see if they can spot the mistake. If the child’s mistakes do not maintain the sense of the text it is important to re-read. However, continually pointing out mistakes can be very discouraging and should not be overdone.
Lack of understanding of vocabulary
When unfamiliar vocabulary forms part of the text it is helpful to discuss this before reading in order for the child to enjoy and understand the text fully. Children need to explore and have fun with words using dictionaries and thesauruses. Vocabulary is developed by real experiences, such as visits and trips to museums, parks and other places of interest to a child.
How to Encourage Your Child to Read
Encouraging a love of reading in children can be one of the most rewarding things you can do to support their learning. Here are some simple, effective ways to make reading enjoyable and accessible for your child:
- Make Reading Fun
Choose books that match your child’s interests. Whether it’s adventure stories, comics, or non-fiction about animals or space, finding books that excite them can make reading feel more like a fun activity than a task. - Read Together
Set aside time to read with your child. This could be a bedtime story or a quiet reading session during the day. Sharing a book allows you to bond and engage in the story together. - Create a Reading Routine
Establish a regular reading routine, such as reading for 10 minutes each morning or evening. A consistent habit helps children see reading as a natural part of their day. - Praise Their Progress
Celebrate your child’s achievements, no matter how small. Praising their efforts helps build confidence and reinforces the idea that reading is a skill worth mastering. - Visit the Library or Bookshop
Take your child to the library or a local bookshop and let them choose books they want to read. This gives them a sense of control over their reading choices and encourages them to explore new topics. - Set an Example
Children learn by example, so let them see you reading. Whether it’s a book, magazine, or article, showing your child that reading is a part of everyday life encourages them to pick up a book themselves.
By making reading an enjoyable and regular part of life, you can help your child develop a lifelong love of reading, which is key to their academic success. If your child is struggling with reading, our tutors at Dukes Tutoring can provide tailored support to help them build confidence and skills.