Summer Reading Support: Helping Struggling Readers Grow with Confidence 🌿📚

Summer should feel joyful, relaxed, and full of connection — not pressure. But for parents of children who struggle with reading, it can also bring worries about lost skills or falling behind.

The good news? Reading growth during summer does not need to feel like school.

At My Learning Farm, we encourage families to focus on small, encouraging moments that build confidence and help children enjoy reading again. 💛

Start Small

Reading practice does not need to last an hour.

For many struggling readers, short bursts are far more successful:

• 5–10 minute reading sessions

• one chapter before bed

• reading during snack time

• a quick practice session followed by play

Small successes help build:

• reading stamina

• confidence

• consistency

• and positive feelings about books

Read To Your Child

Reading aloud builds vocabulary, listening comprehension, and a love of stories — even for older children.

Summer is a wonderful time to:

• read together outside

• listen to audiobooks

• enjoy a chapter book as a family

• or bring books along on adventures

Try “Team Reading”

One of my favorite strategies is team reading.

Your child reads aloud, and when they come to an unknown word, you simply provide the word and let them continue reading.

This keeps reading flowing and helps:

• reduce frustration

• increase confidence

• build stamina

• and make reading feel successful

Let Your Child Choose the Book

Summer reading counts even if it doesn’t look traditional.

Graphic novels, joke books, comics, animal books, cookbooks, magazines — if your child is interested in it, run with it!

Interest fuels motivation, and motivation fuels practice.

Build Vocabulary in Fun Ways

A fun resource we love is the Mrs Wordsmith Storyteller's Word a Day vocabulary series.

Mrs Wordsmith Storyteller’s Word a Day

Try choosing a “word of the day” and:

• acting it out

• drawing it

• using it at dinner

• or creating silly sentences together

Vocabulary practice should feel playful and engaging.

At My Learning Farm we make reading joyful every time-reading to animals is a great way to boost confidence and inspire connection!

Practice High-Frequency Words

Short, low-pressure practice with high-frequency words can help reading feel smoother and more automatic.

Try:

• flashcards

• sidewalk chalk words

• sticky note games

• magnetic letters

• or quick review during car rides

Need More Support?

Some children benefit from a structured, evidence-based reading program rooted in Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy.

If you choose to teach a program at home, prepare lessons ahead of time so you feel confident presenting them. And if it feels overwhelming, it is absolutely okay to seek support from a trained structured literacy professional.

At My Learning Farm, we provide individualized, evidence-based support in reading, writing, spelling, and math while helping children grow in confidence, skills, and joy for learning. 🌻