Why Your Child May Be Struggling with Reading – And How To Help

As parents, we all want our children to succeed in school, but one of the most common — and often overlooked — obstacles is reading. If your child is having trouble reading, it can feel frustrating for both of you. But here’s the thing: it’s not always about how hard they try, but how we approach teaching them. And in many cases, our current systems of teaching reading aren’t doing enough to help.

Understanding the Complexity of English

Let’s start with the basics: English is a tough language to learn. There are 26 letters, but they represent 44 different sounds. No wonder our children feel confused! In fact, many kids feel that English doesn’t follow any rules at all. They get frustrated because what works for one word doesn’t work for another. It’s this complexity that makes reading such a challenge, especially when schools focus more on memorizing words instead of helping kids understand how the language works.

Here’s where the problem begins—if kids don’t learn the rules and patterns early on, reading becomes a guessing game. And when guessing doesn’t work, they get discouraged. They may start avoiding reading, which only deepens the problem.

How Poor Reading Affects Your Child

When children struggle with reading, the effects go far beyond the classroom. Poor reading skills can take a toll on their self-confidence, making them feel like they’re falling behind their classmates. It’s not just about the grades—they might start to believe that they aren’t smart enough or that they just “don’t get it.” And as parents, that’s tough to watch. No child should feel like they aren’t good enough, especially when the real issue is the method of teaching.

In Nigeria, children are often taught to decode words early, which is a great start. However, there’s a significant gap in higher-order skills. While Nigerian children may learn to read fluently, they often miss out on developing oral fluency, language skills, and the ability to think critically. These skills are essential for them to become deep learners and effective communicators.

Conversely, children abroad tend to have lower expectations for rigor in reading instruction. Many educators prioritize a softer approach, believing it will foster a love of reading without overwhelming students. Unfortunately, this can leave children playing catch-up later on. They may be expressive and articulate but struggle with fluency in reading or writing because the focus has been placed elsewhere.

This mismatch creates two different scenarios: while Nigerian children are busy decoding words, those abroad may not be developing the foundational skills needed to truly excel in literacy. The lack of early rigor in reading instruction abroad can hinder children’s progress, leaving them unprepared for the expectations that arise as they advance in school.

The Importance of Phonemic Awareness

So, how do we fix this? The solution lies in going back to the basics—but doing it right this time. Phonemic awareness is the key. It’s the ability to hear, identify, and work with the sounds in words. When children understand how sounds work in English, they can start decoding words properly and read more fluently.

Both educational approaches can benefit from a merger. We can incorporate 30 minutes of focused language development alongside reading fluency skills. By combining the strengths of both systems, we expose children to deep thinking skills, higher cognitive skills, and effective communication techniques that will help them become successful readers and thinkers.

It’s not enough for children to just “sound out” words. They need to know why certain letters make certain sounds, and how those sounds fit together to form meaning. This understanding helps them read more quickly, comprehend what they read, and, most importantly, enjoy reading.

Recognizing When Your Child Needs Help

As parents, it’s important to watch for signs that your child may be struggling with reading. Are they frequently frustrated? Do they avoid reading tasks? Do they seem to struggle with understanding even after they’ve read the words? These are signs that they might need extra help.

In Nigeria, it’s common to see children moving from class to class without mastering the necessary reading skills. They might be able to read aloud fluently, but without real comprehension, their progress is limited. This is a problem that needs to be addressed early on, before your child loses confidence or starts falling further behind.

What Can You Do?

The good news is that there are solutions. With the right intervention, we can help children develop phonemic awareness and other essential reading skills that will serve them for life. Our Reading Confidence Program is designed specifically to address these gaps. It combines phonemic awareness training with tools like decodables, explainer videos, and personalized assessments. We don’t just help your child read—we help them understand, enjoy, and thrive in reading.

If your child is struggling, don’t wait. Early intervention is key to turning things around. Let’s work together to give your child the confidence they need to succeed, both in school and in life.

Want to learn more? Reach out to us today to find out how our program can help your child master reading and become a confident learner.