How to Help Your Child Improve in Reading and Writing
When Words Don’t Flow: Understanding Your Child’s Struggle
You sit at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, watching your child wrestle with a simple sentence. The letters are reversed. Sounds don’t click. Their brow furrows in frustration. And your heart sinks—again. You’ve tried everything: nightly reading, encouraging notes in their lunchbox, phonics workbooks, even bribery (no shame in that). Still, reading and writing feel like a daily uphill climb, for both of you.
If this sounds familiar, you're far from alone. Between ages 6 and 12, literacy skills are not just taught—they’re built, brick by brick. For some children, the foundation comes together easily. But for others, especially those who process language differently or face attention challenges, the process can be slow, inconsistent, and deeply discouraging.
Thankfully, there are ways to support your child—ways that dig deeper than flashcards and worksheets. Let’s talk about those.
Start With Why: What's Really Blocking Progress?
Reading and writing rely on many micro-skills coming together in sync: visual processing, sound recognition (phonemic awareness), memory, vocabulary, focus, motor coordination—and confidence. So when a child struggles, it’s rarely due to just one area. Identifying the root is key.
For instance, some kids can read fluently out loud but can’t spell those same words when writing. Others understand stories but can’t explain them in their own words. These aren’t just quirks—they offer clues into how your child learns best. If you've noticed inconsistency, it might help to explore why your child struggles to retain lessons and how learning truly happens for them.
The Power of Storytelling and Personal Connection
One of the most effective tools to develop literacy? Engaging stories that your child connects with emotionally. As adults, we often forget how motivating it can be to see yourself in a story. For a child, hearing their name in an adventure—not just any tale, but one tailored to their interests—can awaken their curiosity like nothing else.
That’s where creative technology can come in. Some tools today (like the Skuli app) allow you to transform any lesson—even a dry grammar worksheet—into a personalized audio adventure, where your child becomes the hero. Imagine your child’s eyes lighting up as they hear, “Suddenly, Sophie raced past the volcano, the map trembling in her hands as she searched for the clue…” It doesn’t just make reading exciting—it makes it personal, memorable, and meaningful.
This approach is especially powerful for reluctant readers or children who struggle to connect abstract letters and rules to something real. Personalized stories build emotional bridges to literacy.
Turn Everyday Life into a Literacy Lab
Your child doesn’t only learn at school or over worksheets. In fact, the richest learning moments often happen while you’re cooking, shopping, commuting, or having bedtime chats. Here are some everyday opportunities to sneak in reading and writing in meaningful, non-pressure ways:
- In the kitchen: Ask your child to read ingredients aloud or help you write tomorrow’s grocery list.
- During commutes: Turn traffic signs, store names, or restaurant menus into quick reading games.
- At bedtime: Take turns reading pages aloud, and talk about the best part of the story afterward.
If your child prefers listening to stories rather than reading them—which is very common—don’t fight it. Look into turning written lessons into audio format. This method ensures your child still absorbs key content when attention or decoding gets tricky. Apps like Skuli make it easy to convert notes or lessons into short audio clips, perfect for listening during car rides or quiet time.
Help Them Write for Real Reasons
Many children resist writing if they don’t see the point. Who wants to write a six-sentence paragraph about their summer vacation if they’d rather just tell you about it?
Instead, give them genuine reasons to write—ones that make them feel heard and understood:
- Start a parent-child journal where you exchange notes each morning or evening.
- Help them write a letter or email to a cousin, teacher, or even a favorite author.
- Let them take charge of planning a weekend activity and write an itinerary or checklist.
Give praise for ideas and effort—not just spelling or grammar. Celebrate their voice.
Consistency Over Intensity
Daily, bite-sized practice matters more than overwhelming efforts pieced together on weekends. A ten-minute shared reading session each evening will do more than an hour of stressful homework battles.
If you're struggling to build regular practice into your family’s rhythms, consider setting routines together. (We share helpful tools on fostering ownership in this guide to helping your child take ownership of their learning.)
Sometimes, progress is slow—even invisible at first. But trust the process. Repetition, encouragement, and noticing small wins build the momentum your child needs.
And When You Feel Stuck…
Get help. Partnering with a literacy tutor, special educator, or your child’s teacher can make a world of difference. You’re not expected to be the expert. You’re already doing the hardest and most important work—showing up, believing in your child, and trying again.
There’s no shame in using tools that ease the load for both of you. Whether it’s turning a photo of a worksheet into a custom quiz or exploring adaptive learning formats, the right apps can go a long way in reducing stress. For more on this, check out our article on how to personalize your child’s learning with educational technology.
You’re Already Part of the Solution
Being the parent of a struggling reader or writer can feel overwhelming—but your support matters more than any tool, teacher, or system. Your patience, your curiosity, and your presence—even when you don’t have the answers—make all the difference.
And on the hard days, when you wonder if progress will ever come, remember this: most literacy journeys aren’t linear. They zigzag. But with warmth, consistency, and the right blend of support, your child will get there. Together, you’ll rewrite the story.
Looking for more ways to ease academic stress overall? Our article on helping your child with grades—without the pressure might be a good next step.