Helping a child who is struggling to read can be such a sensitive task. The last thing you want to do is cause so much frustration that reading is more of a chore rather than an enjoyable activity. If your child is struggling with reading, you may consider the following:
Read aloud to them.
Hearing the way you pause, change your voice to match a character, adjust the inflection of your voice, and much more, can help a struggling reader. There is no app to replace your lap. Read to your child every day.
What is your child interested in?
Make sure there are books available on subjects that interest your child. If possible, make a special trip to the bookstore or the public library together. Have your kiddo select a book for you to read together.
Ask questions.
While reading with your child, pause and have them summarize what they just read. You can also ask them specific questions. (See the list below). Asking questions allows you to check for understanding. Knowing how to read the words is not enough if they cannot comprehend what they are reading.
Lead by example.
Your kiddo is more likely to prioritize the things you prioritize. Set a family reading time where everyone in the house reads for a set amount of time. I recommend 15 - 20 minutes.
