How to Make Reading Easier for Your Struggling Reader at Home

Ashley
4 days ago
3 min read

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 the middle sounds
forgets phonics rules they learned earlier
shuts down the moment you pull out a book
or says reading 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 — without worksheets, drills, or stress.

1. Slow down the reading on purpose

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 finger 1)
/i/ (finger 2)
/p/ (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” by choosing the right books

Here’s a little reading secret:If the book is too hard, your child will shut down — even if the story is interesting.

You want:

shorter sentences
predictable patterns
words they can decode
fewer unknown words per page

If your child is struggling, choose books that feel easy, not “challenging.”Easy books build confidence. Confidence builds skill.

3. Turn reading into a game

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

Try this:

Word Hunt

Write 5–7 words on sticky notes and hide them around the room.Your child finds one → reads it → brings it to you.

This is perfect for kids who need to move to stay engaged.

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.

5. Keep reading sessions short

Most struggling readers only need 5–10 minutes of focused practice — not long sessions that burn them out.

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:

Success they can see
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:A good reading tutor uses structured, evidence-based methods to teach reading in a clear, simple way. Kids feel successful quickly — and that success makes reading at home easier too.

If You Want an Easy Place to Start…

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

✨ sound-by-sound reading practice✨ hands-on word-building✨ a movement-based reading game✨ tools to help reduce guessing✨ a short parent guide

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 kiddo — and with the right tools, reading can finally feel easier for both of you.