What to Do If Your Child Is Below Grade Level in Reading

Watching your child struggle with reading can be heartbreaking. You see them trying their best, but the words don’t seem to click and they remain below grade level. Homework takes twice as long as it should, frustration leads to tears, and their confidence takes a hit every time they’re asked to read aloud. You’ve tried extra practice, maybe even tutoring, but progress is slow—or nonexistent. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents in your shoes wonder: What else can I do?

The good news? Struggles with reading don’t have to be permanent. With the right approach, your child can develop the skills they need to become a strong, confident reader. Here’s what you need to know and the steps you can take to help your child gain ground.

1. Identify the Root Cause of the Reading Struggle for Kids Who Are Below Grade Level

Reading struggles aren’t just about recognizing words on a page. They often stem from weak cognitive skills—like auditory processing, memory, and attention—that make decoding, comprehension, and fluency difficult.

Instead of focusing only on more reading practice, it’s essential to address these underlying weaknesses. A cognitive skills assessment, like the one offered at LearningRx, can pinpoint which brain skills need strengthening to improve reading ability.

2. Don’t Wait—Research Shows Early Action Matters

If your child is behind in reading, it’s critical to act sooner rather than later. Research shows that children who struggle with reading in early elementary school are far more likely to continue struggling in later grades if intervention isn’t provided. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 74% of children who struggle with reading in third grade will still struggle in ninth grade unless they receive effective intervention.

The sooner you address the root cause, the easier it is to help your child catch up before reading struggles become a long-term obstacle.

3. Strengthen the Brain’s Learning & Reading Pathways

Because reading is a complex skill, building strong cognitive foundations is key. Brain training programs like LearningRx focus on improving the cognitive skills that make reading easier. Unlike tutoring, which reviews content, cognitive training strengthens how the brain processes information, making learning to read more efficient. Studies show that strengthening brain skills—like phonemic awareness, processing speed, and working memory—leads to lasting improvements in reading ability.

4. Support Reading Development at Home

In addition to cognitive training, there are practical ways you can help your child become a stronger reader:

• Read aloud daily – Exposure to language through listening helps develop vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Use audiobooks – Listening to books while following along with the text can build fluency and confidence.
• Play word and sound games – Rhyming games, phonics apps, and word puzzles can reinforce essential reading skills in a fun way.
• Make reading a positive experience – Avoid pressure or frustration; instead, celebrate progress and effort.
• Give them books at the right level – Books that are too difficult can discourage struggling readers, while engaging, level-appropriate texts build success.

5. Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Improvement if Your Child is Below Grade Level in Reading

If your child is below grade level in reading, don’t wait for them to “catch up” on their own. The best way to help them is to strengthen the cognitive skills that make reading easier so they can gain ground—and confidence—faster.

In a research study, LearningRx clients gained an average of 4.1 years across 5 reading skills—in only 24 weeks!* This kind of improvement is game-changing for the trajectory your child is on in their learning.

A LearningRx cognitive skills assessment can help you understand what’s holding your child back and provide a personalized plan to help them overcome reading struggles for good.

Take the first step today. Schedule a LearningRx assessment to unlock your child’s reading potential!

*Results from past clients. You or your child may or may not achieve the same outcomes.