How Reading Help can Make Your Child a Stronger Reader Reading offers a lifetime of benefits, creating a path to knowledge, discovery, and imagination. Strong reading skills are particularly important for classroom learning. But how can you encourage your kid to become a reader? What kind of reading help makes a difference? Humans have been reading for millennia. But, thanks to MRI research, science has only recently drawn a clear link between reading and brain development. We’re learning that reading builds and strengthens networks in the brain. It also promotes overall connectivity in the brain. For adults, it also wards off the potential for cognitive decline. For kids, reading can play an integral role in overall cognitive development. It helps to build vocabulary, language skills, and concentration. Unsurprisingly, it can also be key to academic success now and in the future. Kids don’t always understand the benefits of reading, though. While some children always have their noses in a book, others struggle to make it through a single sentence. If your kid is a reluctant reader, what can you do to change that? Let’s take a look at common reading struggles and what types of reading help can make a difference. Understanding Reading Challenges for Kids 4 Reasons Kids Struggle to Read When kids avoid books, there’s often a reason why that’s happening. Here are some of the more common reasons that kids don’t want to read: They think books are boring. It’s tough for books to compete with TV, video games, phones, and social media. Understandably, kids who are used to flashier gadgets may dismiss books as boring. They associate reading with school. When kids are mainly exposed to reading at school, they may start to subtly perceive books as “work.” They’re more likely to avoid books at home or be resistant to at-home reading as a result. They get stressed. If kids aren’t comfortable or frequent readers, they may approach books with discomfort. The thought of reading may remind them of previous struggles to read, or they may be trying to read beyond their level. They have a learning disorder. For kids with learning disorders, reading can come with additional baggage, too. Children with ADHD, dyslexia, or other reading disabilities may be wary of reading and books. Tips for Encouraging Reading at Home Avid readers rarely develop overnight. Instead, it’s often a gradual process to get kids interested in reading. In addition to reading help programs, here are a few places to start: Let them choose. Enthusiasm is everything. Let your kids pick books they’re interested in! A trip to the kid’s section of the library or bookstore can be great for giving them free rein. Model at-home reading. Kids often pick up behaviors and habits from the people around them. If you’re regularly immersed in a book, they might get interested in reading, too. Try different formats. Graphic novels, audiobooks, non-fiction—experiment with different formats and genres to see what your kid likes! Find a book they’re excited about and read it together. Talk to them about books.If your child is reading a book, ask them questions! What’s it about? What do they think will happen next? It’s a good way to promote reading comprehension. What are the Benefits of Reading Help? If your child struggles to read, they’re not alone! Whether they’re dealing with a common reading disorder, like dyslexia, or they’re simply trying to build confidence in their reading skills, it may be worth exploring reading help programs. Why choose reading support outside of school? Here are a few potential benefits: It helps your kid catch up. If your child is behind in their reading skills, they’ll face an uphill battle in the classroom. It can be demoralizing for any young learner. A reading help program can help them get back on track, so they’re no longer struggling to keep up with their peers. It offers structured support.Structure and guidance can be integral for kids. With reading help, they can set aside dedicated time to work on their reading skills. Reading programs can also target specific sub-skills that may be challenging, including word recognition and reading accuracy. It means one-on-one learning. In a classroom environment, kids rarely benefit from one-on-one, uninterrupted learning. At LearningRx, we personalize our approach for each child, which is especially important for those with dyslexia and other cognitive differences. Reading Help Through One-on-One Brain Training For kids who struggle to read, LearningRx can work on improving core reading skills and overall reading comprehension. Through one-on-one brain training, we offer reading help for kids at every age. Building a strong foundation of reading skills is essential to gaining confidence in learning, reading, thinking, and studying. Our reading programs give students the chance to practice and hone their abilities. With a unique approach for every client, we’re dedicated to creating lifelong readers and learners! Help your child become a confident reader! To learn more about our reading help programs, call 866-BRAIN-01, or visit us online to get started with brain training.