How to Help Struggling Students Become Good Readers

Child reading

Students who have difficulty reading can improve their skills to appropriate grade level when provided additional help. Practice is essential to improving reading skills; however, children learn in a variety of ways specific to each individual student. Some students may learn best by recognizing whole words while others need to sound out each word. Some students learn better when they hear instructions and others need to see the instructions. Determine the students' preferred method of learning and adapt instruction methods to help struggling students become good readers.

Things You'll Need

• Books or magazines at appropriate reading level
• Books or magazines at current reading level
• Phonics games
• Flash cards
• Books on tape
• Books on computer or electronic device

Instructions

Improving Reading Skills

1. Read to the student at least 20 minutes per day, every day. Read books or magazines that are at or above the appropriate grade level for the student. Encourage the student to choose books or magazines he finds interesting.

2. Encourage the student to read aloud 20 minutes a day. Choose a book or magazine at or below the student's current level of reading. Encourage the student to read to a younger child. Reading aloud at or below the current reading level will give the student confidence and help her stay motivated to improve.

3. Provide books on tape, computer or an electronic device that the student can listen to regularly. The student can follow along in the book and hear the words as he sees them. This is particularly effective for children who learn best by hearing instructions.

4. Play games that require reading. A variety of phonics games are available commercially, as well as such standards as charades that require reading. Utilize flash cards for learning phonics or learning whole words.

5. Investigate professional tutoring. Organizations exist that specialize in helping students improve their reading. School resources may also be available to help the student at school.

Tips & Warnings

• Make reading fun as much as possible to increase interest. Model reading behaviors such as reading regularly.

• Some reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, are medical and will need special treatment to correct. If reading problems are severe or continue over several years consult a medical professional for a specific diagnosis.

References

• Family Education: Improve Reading Skills
• Child Development Institute: Improve Reading

Resources

• How to Improve Reading Comprehension