Reading Struggles in Elementary Students: What Parents Can Do

Reading is foundational to success across all subjects, yet many elementary students experience challenges as reading demands increase. For parents, it can be difficult to know whether a child’s struggles are part of normal development or a sign that additional support may be helpful.

Understanding common signs of reading difficulty—and practical ways to support growth—can help families respond early and thoughtfully.

Common Signs a Child May Be Struggling With Reading

Reading challenges can look different for each child. Some common indicators include:

• Avoidance of reading or frustration during reading time

• Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words

• Slow or labored reading

• Trouble understanding or retelling what was read

• Guessing words instead of sounding them out

Not all reading struggles are visible through grades alone, especially in early elementary years.

Why Reading Difficulties Can Impact Overall Learning

As students move through elementary school, reading shifts from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” This shift tends to happen in third grade. By now, most students can read and must use their skills to now understand new concepts. When reading skills are not solidified, students may struggle in other subjects such as math, science, and social studies due to increased reading demands. I have seen time and time again, a child not understanding word problems in math because they are too busy sounding out the words in the problem. It can get really frustrating for a third, fourth and especially a fifth grader, to get through homework if they are using all their mental energy on reading rather than actual arithmetic.

Reading difficulties can also affect confidence and motivation, leading some students to disengage from learning tasks. Have you ever noticed your child saying they hate doing homework or math? Often times, this can be associated with low confidence that stemmed from reading difficulties, Once the confidence is gone, motivation then follows, In reality, who is motivated to do anything if you don't believe you can do something? Hardly many people.

How Parents Can Support Reading at Home

Parents can support reading development through simple, consistent strategies:

• Encourage daily reading in short, manageable sessions (Obviously in a cozy spot)

• Always allow choice when finding a book to read (Huge motivation booster)

• Read together and discuss stories to support comprehension (Huge for vocabulary building)

• Praise effort and progress rather than speed (This is important! We don't want fast readers, we want good readers who read with expression!)

• Create a calm, routine reading environment (This will want them looking forward to their reading time)

These supports help reinforce skills while keeping reading a positive experience!

When Additional Support May Be Helpful

If a child continues to struggle despite consistent practice, individualized reading support may be beneficial. Targeted instruction can help strengthen foundational skills such as decoding, fluency, and comprehension while building confidence. By third grade, if you suspect that your child is still reading word for word or two by two, this is a sign to seek support. Early support often leads to stronger long-term outcomes and reduces frustration for both students and families. It's crucial to get help before the gap grows bigger for your child.

How Tutoring Supports Reading Development

Reading tutoring provides individualized instruction based on a child’s specific needs. Support may include:

• Strengthening foundational reading skills

• Improving fluency and comprehension

• Teaching strategies students can apply independently

• Supporting confidence and consistency

If your child is 8 or older, they should be able to read 80-150 words per minute. This shows how fluent they are when reading. Even if they are reading with no errors but it takes them a long time to read a page, then fluency is something that needs to be looked at. Slow reading can increase frustration when comprehending texts. Finding support from a tutor can build fluency skills outside of the classroom. Tutoring is designed to complement classroom instruction and support steady academic growth.

Taking the Next Step

If you have concerns about your child’s reading development, a consultation can help clarify next steps and determine whether additional support may be helpful.

Families in Chattanooga are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss concerns and explore academic and executive skills support options. To schedule a free consultation, fill out this form and we'll contact you soon!

Erika Dominguez, M.S. is an Educational Specialist and former classroom teacher with over 11 years of experience supporting K–8 learners. She provides reading, academic, and executive skills support through Dual Learners LLC in Chattanooga, TN.