3 Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling With Reading (and What to Do Next)

3 Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling With Reading (and What to Do Next)

Learning to read is one of the most important milestones in childhood. But it doesn’t always come easily. For some kids, reading challenges go unnoticed until they become frustrated, avoidant, or their grades start to suffer. The earlier we catch the signs, the easier it is to get support before a child begins to feel or fall behind.

Here are three signs your child might be struggling with reading:

1. Avoidance of Reading

If your child complains that they’re bored or tired when asked to read, or has meltdowns during homework that involves reading, it’s worth paying attention. While some resistance or avoidance is typical, consistent pushback may be a red flag! 🚩

👀 What to look for:

  • Sudden breaks or complaints when it’s time to read
  • Asking to skip reading aloud
  • Getting anxious when presented with a book

☑️ What to do:

  • Start by observing your child without judgment. Try to avoid thinking of them as lazy or unmotivated.
  • Ask them open-ended questions like: “Is there anything about reading that feels tricky for you?” Create a safe space where they want to share.
  • Partner with your child’s teacher to compare home and school notes. Ask about informal reading assessments or request a formal evaluation if concerns persist.

2. Guessing or Skipping Words

It’s normal for early readers to guess now and then. But if your child regularly substitutes words, skips over them, or seems to rely more on context clues, they might be struggling with phonics or recognition. 📖

👀 What to look for:

  • Swapping letters in similar words, like saying “horse” rather than “house”
  • Skipping smaller words like “the” or “and”
  • Looking at pictures instead of sounding out letters

☑️ What to do:

  • Gently pause your child and say, “Let’s slow down and look at that word together.” Avoid jumping in too fast to correct them, and instead focus on decoding skills.
  • Read together, alternating paragraphs or pages, and model how you break words down. Explore decodable books designed to reinforce letter-sound patterns.
  • If issues continue, consult a reading specialist who can assess whether additional support is needed, like structured literacy or a dyslexia screening.

3. Frustration Around Spelling and Writing

Reading and writing go hand in hand! If your child avoids writing assignments, gets overwhelmed trying to spell simple words, or says things like, “I’m dumb” or “I hate school”...they may be struggling with the reading-to-writing connection. 🔃

👀 What to look for:

  • Spelling words phonetically but inaccurately (e.g., “frend” for “friend”)
  • Asking for help with every word when writing a sentence
  • Emotional outbursts around writing tasks

☑️ What to do:

  • Encourage and acknowledge your child’s effort rather than fixing every mistake. Try saying, “You’re working really hard on this. I can see how much you care.”
  • Use tools like magnetic letters or sand writing to make spelling practice more hands-on and fun at home!
  • If your child’s frustration continues, talk to their teacher about if they’re meeting grade-level benchmarks in both reading and writing.

Struggling with reading doesn’t mean your child isn’t smart. It often means they need a different path or more support. With the right tools, kids who are struggling to read can become strong readers. They can develop resilience and confidence that will serve them far beyond the classroom!

Need help supporting your child’s learning and growth?

👉 Try the HeyKiddo App. Your partner in parenting confident, resilient kids.