How to Make Reading Easier for Your Struggling Reader at Home

If reading time at home feels like a daily battle or your child has started saying things like “I hate reading” or “I’m just not good at this," you’re not alone. January is a time when many parents suddenly notice that reading has become harder, not easier.

Maybe your child:

• gets frustrated quickly

• guesses at words

• skips sounds

• forgets phonics rules they learned earlier

• shuts down the moment you pull out a book

• or says homework is “too hard”

Parents often search things like:

• “How do I help my child read better at home?”

• “Why is reading so hard for my child?”

• “How do I help my struggling reader?”

So let’s walk through simple, parent-friendly ways to make reading feel easier.

1. Slow down with a simple prompt

Struggling readers almost always read too fast. They rush. They guess. They skip sounds. And then they feel frustrated when the word doesn’t make sense.

A simple way to help is:

Have your child touch one finger for each sound in the word. For example, for the word ship:

• /sh/ (touch your thumb and index finger)

• /i/ (touch your thumb and middle finger 2)

• /p/ (touch your thumb and ring finger 3)

Then blend it together: ship.

This slows the brain down enough to actually hear the word — and it reduces guessing dramatically.

2. Make reading more “doable”

There are actually 2 different types of reading: for fun and for learning. First, decide which type of reading you are asking your child to do.

For fun reading should be anything your child chooses. Yes, that includes graphic novels, picture books, and books above and below their "level." Your job is to help them engage with the story. If it's something they can read, great! Let them go at their pace. If they've chosen a book above what they can read, then you read it to them or find an audio recording they can follow along with.

For fun reading isn't about the words. It's about comprehension, vocabulary, background knowledge, and enjoyment! This reading is best for story time, bedtime, 20-minutes of reading tracking, waiting at the doctor's office, etc.

Reading for learning is related to homework, research projects, word practice... you know, learning things.

If your child is struggling to read a grade-level text then you may need to read it to them or do a "I read, you read," you read a sentence, they read the next, keep switching. Your job is to help them access the academic points of the reading. Please do not bring these readings to story time, bedtime, or fun reading. Now, if your child is struggling through a lot of academic reading and they are exhausted, count it as their 20 minutes for that day! Just don't allow that to become their normal. (If it is, you may need to discuss lightening the load with their teacher.)

3. Turn reading into a game

Kids learn better when their body is involved. A few simple games can change everything.

Try these to get started:

• Word Hunt - Write your child's letters/spelling words/sight words/vocabulary words on sticky notes. Hide them around the room. They can either go hunt them or you can call out sounds/words/definitions and they have to find that sticky note and bring it to you. If they hunt them, have them read, spell, or define the word when they bring it to you.

• Obstacle Course- Set up an obstacle course inside or outside. Every 2 or 3 obstacles, they pick a word/letter card and say the sound/read or spell the word/use the word in a sentence. Time them and see if they can beat their score!

If you'd like more easy, low-prep, and fun activities, be sure to download my Free Bingo Board.

4. Use the Tap, Map, and Write strategy for tricky words

If your child leaves out sounds when reading or spelling, this strategy is a game changer.

Tap the sounds: /f/ – /l/ – /a/ – /g/. Map them into sound boxes. Write the full word while looking at the boxes.

Parents LOVE this because it:

• makes spelling easier

• reduces frustration

• gives a clear step-by-step method

• works for any short word

  
  

It’s also great when you’re trying to help but don’t know “how” to explain something.

Check out my step-by-step how-to on this, here.

5. Keep reading sessions short

Many struggling readers do best with 10-15 minutes of focused practice daily. Not long sessions that burn them out.

Frequent, short bursts help your child:

• stay regulated

• stay successful

• actually remember the skill you’re practicing

  
  

You’ll get farther with consistent short sessions than with a once-a-week “marathon.”

6. Celebrate small wins (even tiny ones)

A struggling reader needs two things:

1. Success they can see

2. An adult who notices it

Say things like:

• “You slowed down and read every sound. That worked!”

• “You fixed that word all on your own!”

• “I noticed how hard you tried.”

Confidence is the fuel for progress.

What to Do If Reading Is Still a Struggle

If you’ve tried strategies at home and reading still feels like a fight, it may be time for extra support. Parents often Google:

• “Does my child need a reading tutor?”

• “How do I know if my child is behind?”

• “What are signs of reading problems?”

Here’s the truth: Most reading struggles don't just go away. The large majority of kids who struggle need explicit teaching and intervention to get back to grade level. And the earlier that help is provided, the easier and faster intervention is.

So, if you're wondering if your child's struggles could use specialized help, then it's probably time to get that started.

If you want to learn more about tutoring, you can schedule a Free 30-minute consultation call here. You tell me all about your child, I'll explain how tutoring works with us, I'll give a recommendation, then I'll leave you to discuss it with your family. Very simple!

Schedule Your Consultation Here!

If You Want an Easier Place to Start…

I created a Free Seasonal Bingo Learning Kit  that gives you simple, low-prep activities you can use right away, including:

✨ sound-by-sound reading practice

✨ hands-on word-building

✨ movement-based reading activities

✨ tools to help reduce guessing

✨ a short parent guide

✨ a Bingo Board to make it even more fun!

It’s designed to make reading at home feel easier, especially if your child has been struggling.

👉 Click here to download it.

You don’t have to figure all of this out alone. You’re already doing a great job supporting your child and with the right tools, reading can finally feel easier for both of you.