All parents want their children to do well in life and school, and that includes the ability to read.
From learning their ABCs to even communicating with the world, they have to get their reading right. Unfortunately, it’s not equally easy for every child, and some kids can have reading difficulties ranging from mild to severe.
So, how do you know if your child is having trouble learning their reading skills? We’re here to help. Just keep moving with this article as we roll out the seven signs confirming that your child might need professional help with reading skill improvement.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Lack of Engagement With Reading Material
If your child is not interested in the reading material that they are being asked to read, then their reading skills may need improvement. Because they couldn’t read well, they couldn’t form a story in their head, and that keeps them from being engaged.
On the other hand, if they are not engaged with the material, that can also mean that while they can read, they may have difficulty retaining any of the information.
Try to find books or other reading material that your child is interested in so they will be more likely to engage with it. You can also ask their teacher for suggestions on how to make the material more interesting for your learner.
2. Poor Spelling
When children are learning to read, they need to be able to sound out words correctly. If they can’t spell the words they sound out, it’s a sign that they’re not reading right.
In fact, one of the signs that a child is doing good with reading is the ability to spell the words right. The spelling comes from familiarity, not only with the letters that compose the words but especially with the meanings of the words themselves.
The ability to attach context to words helps a lot in any learner’s capacity to spell correctly. So, if your child’s spelling is poor, that’s a sign that they’re having a hard time reading in the first place.
3. Frustration While Reading
If your child is showing frustration while reading, it may be a sign that their reading skills need improvement. The good news is that there are ways to help your child improve in this department.
For example, read aloud to them every day. This will help them develop a love for reading and improve their fluency. At the same time, have them read aloud to you.
Also, make sure your child is reading material at their level. If they are reading something too difficult, they will become frustrated.
Encourage your child to ask questions when they are reading. This will help them understand the material and improve their comprehension skills.
4. Lack of Reading Comprehension
If your child is having trouble understanding what they are reading, it may be a sign that their reading skills need improvement. There are a few things you can do to help your child improve their reading comprehension skills.
First, make sure they are consuming material that is at their reading level. Second, help them break down the text by identifying the main idea and supporting details.
Finally, encourage them to ask questions while they are reading and talk about what they have read with you or someone else.
5. Difficulty Remembering What Was Read
If your child is having difficulty remembering what they have read, it may be a sign that their reading skills need improvement. If your child is unable to recall key details or struggles to retell a story in their own words, they may be experiencing difficulty comprehending what they read.
By providing your child with additional assistance and support, you can help them improve their reading skills and become a more confident reader.
6. Not Recognizing Common Words
If your child is not recognizing common words, it may be a sign that their reading skills need improvement. If they are not understanding what they are reading, or if they are having difficulty reading aloud, it is likely that they are not recognizing common words.
Once you detect problems with your child’s ability to recognize common words, consider that they might need intervention, such as through reading tutoring.
7. Slow or Choppy Reading
If your child is struggling with reading, there are some telltale signs you can look for. Perhaps they read slowly or choppily or have difficulty with words that are unfamiliar to them.
Maybe they avoid reading altogether or only read when they have to. If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to seek out some additional help for your child.
When children aren’t reading as quickly or smoothly as other kids of their respective ages and reading levels, there could be a problem. Kids of the same under the same learning conditions usually progress together.
If your child doesn’t seem to be progressing along with the rest, consult a reading specialist.
Learn the Signs of Poor Reading Skills Today
As you can see, there are at least seven signs that your child is having problems with their reading skills. There could be more, and if you notice any of these in your child, know that there are many resources available to help you and your little learner.
Of course, the best way to start is to contact your child’s teacher or a tutor for help.
We have more equally helpful articles in our blog. Just keep browsing!
