Not all children learn or read at the same level, and it can be counterproductive to hold your child to standards other than their own rate of progress. However, if your child is woefully below grade or age-level standards for fluency, comprehension, or other reading issues, stepping in early can help prevent these problems from progressing. Remain in contact with your child's teachers and ask about her reading progress at school. If you or the teacher determine that your child is in need of help, address it as an exciting opportunity rather than a problem or shortcoming on the child's part. Let her know you want to help her with reading so that she can enjoy books on her favorite subjects and you can spend quality time with her enjoying books together.
Reading fluency is the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and proper inflection. A child who struggles with fluency will read in a halting, choppy manner with little or no emotion or emphasis in their voice. To help this issue, parents can read aloud with the child, tracing the words being read with their fingers. The child should then be asked to read the same passage that was just read to them, without using the finger method. You can also find favorite poems or stories and read them over and over, allowing the repetition to help your child understand where expression is to be added and to help them read more smoothly. Reading aloud to your child also models for them the way that fluent reading is supposed to sound. You can also use audio books or books on CD and have the child follow along in the printed book.
Reading comprehension is the ability to interpret and understand the material that has been read. It joins together thinking and reasoning with reading. To assist a child who is struggling in this area, break down stories and books into paragraphs and sections. Read one portion and then check that the child understood what was read before moving on to the next portion. This trains them to expect to understand the material and not to simply push through without understanding. This works for story books as well as academic material such as science and history where comprehension is especially important.
Sometimes the reason children struggle with reading is not understanding the words they are reading. In this instance, you can help broaden your child's vocabulary, thereby making reading less of a chore. Engage your child in conversation all throughout the day, using new and varied words for familiar terms. Encourage them to read several books covering a variety of topics and subjects. Exposure to new words is the best way to increase their vocabulary and make it more likely that new words they read will be understood and read easily rather than presenting stopping points and stumbling blocks.
Most kids have subjects with which they struggle with from time to time. However, if your child is experiencing extreme difficulty or displaying signs of not recognizing letters and common words, you may need to consider having them tested for dyslexia or another learning disorder. Understanding the problem if there is one, and having the proper tools to address it can relieve undue stress and frustration for both you and your child. Your pediatrician can help you find a specialist to conduct this kind of testing.