When a child is struggling with reading, home can slowly start to feel like an extension of school. Reading time becomes tense. Frustration builds. Avoidance grows. What often begins as a well intentioned effort to help can accidentally turn reading into something a child associates with stress, pressure, or failure. The good news is that simple habits and daily activities can remove the pressure while subtly developing critical reading skills. You do not need expensive programs or complicated materials to begin supporting your child’s reading growth. You simply need consistency, patience, and an environment where reading feels safe, approachable, and rewarding.
Your Child's Feelings Matter
One of the most important first steps is changing how reading feels. If reading has become a punishment, a consequence, or a battle, progress will be slow and painful no matter what materials you use. Children learn best when they feel relaxed and confident. Instead of positioning reading as something that must be endured, try presenting it as a shared activity or a short daily habit. Celebrate effort rather than perfection. Praise your child for trying, for sticking with a tricky word, or for finishing a short passage. Even small wins deserve recognition. When children feel successful, they become more willing to engage.
Making reading fun does not mean turning it into entertainment every time. It means removing pressure and adding choice. Let your child have a say in what they read whenever possible. Graphic novels, joke books, simple nonfiction, and high interest topics can all be valuable. A child who wants to read about animals, sports, or their favorite superhero is far more likely to participate than a child forced into a book they dislike. Sitting together on the couch, reading side by side, or taking turns reading aloud can make reading feel social rather than isolating.
One of the most powerful ways to influence a child’s attitude toward reading is through modeling that habit yourself. Children notice what adults choose to do in their free time. When they see parents reading for pleasure, whether it is a novel, a magazine, or an article, they begin to understand that reading has value beyond school. Let your child see you read. Share with them about something interesting you read earlier in the day. Occasionally read aloud to your child even if they are older. Being read to continues to build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of stories long after a child can decode words independently. You can even model making an error not knowing what a word means as you read and casually correcting yourself or sharing the new definition to demonstrate how you approach making mistakes.
Short daily reading sessions are far more effective than long, exhausting ones. Many struggling readers simply do not yet have the stamina for extended reading. Pushing too long often leads to avoidance and burnout. Ten minutes of focused reading every day can produce more growth than an hour once a week. Keep sessions predictable and brief. Stop before your child becomes overwhelmed. Ending on a positive note leaves them more willing to return the next day.
Building Critical Reading Skills
Building comprehension at home does not require formal questioning or quizzes. In fact, that approach often increases anxiety and shuts down conversation. Instead, try talking about books the same way you would talk about a movie or show. Ask simple, open ended questions in a relaxed tone. You might wonder aloud about a character’s choice or comment on something surprising that happened in the story. You can ask what part they liked best or which character they found interesting. Maybe ask your child what they would have done if they were in the main character's shoes. These casual conversations help children practice thinking about what they read without feeling tested. And remember to ask some simple follow ups to help elicit longer responses. Here's some additional open ended questions you can use:
- Why do you think (Character) did that?
- What's going to happen next?
- Who's your favorite character and why?
- Have you ever felt like that before?
- Does this remind you of your own life?
Vocabulary growth does not have to be limited to reading time. Everyday life offers countless opportunities to build word knowledge naturally. While watching television together, you can explain an unfamiliar word or ask what your child thinks a word might mean based on the context. During conversations, you can gently introduce new words and restate them in simpler language. If your child uses a basic word, you might model a richer one. Over time, these small exposures accumulate and strengthen both spoken and written language. You can even implement a word of the week and give your child a small reward for using it in a conversation.
Win Together
Another helpful habit is reading aloud together even after your child can read independently. You can take turns reading pages or paragraphs. This shared approach reduces pressure and allows your child to hear fluent, expressive reading while still practicing. It also keeps reading from feeling lonely or overwhelming. Try to be extra expressive and dynamic while reading to model intonation and make it an engaging performance for your child. Intonation supports fluency and comprehension while also making reading more fun.
Above all, patience matters. Progress for struggling readers is often gradual. Some days will feel better than others. Consistency and emotional safety matter more than perfection. When children feel supported rather than judged, they are far more likely to take risks, attempt difficult words, and be open to corrections and learning moments. We have see far too often, parents become the "bad guys" when all they are doing is trying to help. Children will feel the pressure of not living up to your expectations, and we have seen this cause children to shut down, throw tantrums, and refuse to even participate. To help children achieve their unique potential, it starts by meeting them where they're at today. Expect and praise great effort, positive attitude and curiosity and with time and intention the results will follow.
If you find that your child continues to struggle despite you and your school's best efforts, additional support can make a meaningful difference. The Great Leaps Reading Intervention is designed to build foundational reading skills, improve fluency, and strengthen confidence through short, consistent, structured lessons. If you would like to learn more about how Great Leaps can support your child’s reading growth, we invite you to contact us to explore your options and take the next step.
By Colin Campbell, President of Great Leaps
