Category: News

Eric Williams, a fourth grader at AOS, had an exciting and transformative summer as he joined the cast of Broadway’s MJ The Musical, where he alternates in the role of ‘Little Michael.’ This incredible opportunity allows Eric to showcase his remarkable talent and immerse himself in the world of professional theater at a young age.

In addition to his work on Broadway, Eric has previously demonstrated his versatility and skill in notable roles in Stepp Stewart’s Soulful Christmas and Motown Motor City Review. Each performance has allowed him to grow as an artist, honing his craft and gaining invaluable experience in both musical theater and live performance.

Eric is focused on his long-term goal of becoming a professional performer. His journey is just beginning, and with his dedication and determination, he is on a path to make a lasting impact in the world of theater and entertainment.

Brailyn Banks, a talented fourth grader at AOS, is making a splash in the competitive swimming world as she enters her third season as a USA swimmer. At just 8 years old, Brailyn was already proving herself a force to be reckoned with. She set an impressive personal best in both the 25M and 50M Butterfly, with times of 15.87 and 38.52 respectively. Her exceptional performance earned her coveted spots in the 2023-2025 Winter 14 & Under State Competition at Georgia Tech, putting her among the state’s best swimmers. But Brailyn’s success doesn’t stop there. She also qualified in the 50M Breaststroke for the 2024 Long-Course State Competition, further showcasing her versatility in the pool. After an outstanding 2023-24 season, Brailyn ranked 9th in the state of Georgia and 3rd in her division—an incredible achievement for an athlete her age. Currently training with the Metro Atlanta Aquatic Club, Brailyn’s goal is to continue earning qualifying times and positioning herself for future opportunities at higher levels of competition. With her determination and work ethic, Brailyn is focused on achieving her long-term aspirations in the world of competitive swimming.

Caiden and Caleb Sapari spent an unforgettable summer in Seoul, South Korea, competing in the World Olympics Taekwondo Championship. The competition was intense, featuring a variety of events including form, board breaking, and sparring, testing both their physical skills and mental focus.

Caiden, a fourth grader at AOS, showcased exceptional skill and determination, earning a silver medal and two bronze medals, proving his versatility and commitment to the sport. Caleb, a third grader at AOS, also impressed on the world stage, securing three bronze medals. The brothers’ success in Seoul not only earned them medals but also fueled their passion for Taekwondo, inspiring them to set even greater goals. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, discipline, and resilience.

Children learn many valuable lessons during their early elementary school education. From arithmetic to teamwork, these lessons shape the rest of their academic experience as well as their adult lives.

One of the most crucial skills a child will learn during these early years is reading. Reading underlies everything, so it’s no wonder so much time and effort are devoted to this critical subject. And it’s no wonder there are so many different methods used to teach reading–every educator wants to get this one right, so a lot of effort goes into coming up with the right ways to nail it. One method teachers have found particularly useful for children learning to read is shared reading.

What is Shared Reading?

During a time of shared reading, the teacher uses a shared material–often an enlarged children’s book or multiple copies of the same story–and children are encouraged to read aloud together. The material is often read multiple times. First, students consider the big picture and meaning of the text. Then, they focus on more technical aspects like phonics. The teacher can gauge common problem areas and take the time to stop and expand on various needs throughout the lesson.

How Does Shared Reading Help Children Become Independent Readers?

Through the method of shared reading, children grow skills like active listening and fluency. Shared reading builds independent readers by:

1. Growing Vocabulary

Shared reading allows children to hear the correct pronunciation and context of a wider range of vocabulary than what is found in everyday conversation. The teacher stops to explain the meaning and usage of new and unfamiliar words. This allows students to focus on comprehension rather than analyzing the meaning of these words.

2. Modeling Fluent Reading

During shared reading, the teacher models to the students proper pacing, expression, intonation, and inflection. The student learns how punctuation affects tone, how sentences flow, and how expressive reading can increase engagement.

3. Developing Comprehension Skills

Shared reading offers a positive and encouraging environment for bolstering reading comprehension. Students will have opportunities to engage in discussion about the text with their peers, ask questions, and consider the text in a more critical manner. This helps kids drill down to the meaning of what they’re reading and make connections between the text and real life.

4. Improving Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness allows students to break words into their individual sounds, which is critical for fluent reading. Many of the materials used in shared reading lessons target phonemic awareness and use a variety of elements such as patterns, rhymes, and repetition to emphasize specific sounds.

5. Encouraging Participation

As parents, we often hope that our child will not be the one kid in the class too scared or embarrassed to answer a question or participate in an activity. Rather, we desire for our children to be confident participants and contributors. Reading with peers empowers children to read aloud and share ideas with confidence. This, in turn, increases their confidence for independent reading.

6. Nurturing a Love for Reading

Shared reading is a great way to make reading fun. Just like sharing a task with a friend can turn a mundane experience into a positive one, shared reading can help children associate reading with enjoyment. If children see reading as a positive and enjoyable activity, they are more likely to do it on their own.

7. Promoting Critical Thinking

In shared reading activities, the teacher will often pause to ask questions about the text to ensure that children are actively engaging in the material. Students will be asked to determine story themes, make predictions, and relate personally to the characters. These skills develop a pattern of critical thinking that can transfer to independent reading.

Is Shared Reading a Proven Strategy?

The kindergarten and early elementary teachers at our private school in Atlanta have found shared reading to be an effective method for helping children learn to read. But they aren’t the only ones who’ve seen it work. Shared reading is a research-backed method that is affirmed and recommended by reading and fluency experts around the world.

A 2023 study that tracked and compared student progress in a kindergarten classroom with the use of shared reading indicated “the positive effects of using the shared reading approach to improve the students’ comprehension” (Altamimi and Ogdol, pp. 1).

In the “Big Book Trend,” Don Holdaway, originator of the “shared book experience,” noted that “the natural setting of young children gathered around a big book or chart in a shared experience of literary pleasure with the teacher offers the possibility of powerful learning within a context of satisfying meanings” (1982).

Shared Reading: A Critical Tool for Independent Success

Interaction and engagement promote learning that lasts. Shared reading is a critical tool for building independent readers. When adults model proper reading skills and habits, students are better able to develop reading comprehension and critical thinking, grow phonemic awareness, and expand vocabulary.

In addition, this collaborative approach makes reading fun and instills confidence in young readers. Children can benefit from shared reading both in the classroom and at home, so try incorporating these methods into your daily reading time and watch your child’s love for independent reading grow.

Sure, you might have spent 13 years of your life in school, but when it comes time for your own child to march up those concrete steps and walk those ivory halls, the whole idea of school can seem completely foreign. And those nerves you’re feeling? First day jitters. That’s right, parents get them, too.

If you’re like most parents on the verge of sending a child to kindergarten for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, parents often feel hesitant to ask those questions. After all, everyone else seems to have it all figured out, right? But before you book an extended stay in camp “I have no idea what I’m doing and everyone else does,” know this: you’re not alone.

Here at our Atlanta, Georgia elementary school, our teachers receive plenty of questions from brave parents as they begin to chart new waters and navigate the unknown territory that is kindergarten.

As it turns out, most parents have the same questions and concerns. So, we’ve put together a complete guide to navigating kindergarten for the first time. Ready to bid those jitters farewell? Read on.

How Do I Know if My Child Is Ready for Kindergarten?

Whether your child has spent the last few years in preschool or is completely new to the world of formal education, there are some key indicators that can help you evaluate whether or not your child is kindergarten-ready. Not only that, but this list can also serve as a great resource as you help your child prepare to become a bona fide kindergartner.

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

• Child has an interest in learning
• Child knows the alphabet
• Child can recognize some letters
• Child can follow simple directions
• Child can use the restroom independently
• Child knows primary colors
• Child has developed age-appropriate fine motor skills
• Child can count to 20

What Will My Child Learn in Kindergarten?

Kindergarten is the foundation for the rest of a child’s education. Hopefully, their school has an excellent kindergarten phonics curriculum that will accelerate their reading readiness. They should also focus on writing and hands-on mathematics instruction. But the learning isn’t just about academics. Kindergarten should teach crucial skills such as active listening, character development, honoring classroom expectations, and working well with others.

How Can I Help My Child Make New Friends?

No parent wants to picture their precious child sitting solo at the outskirts of the lunch table. The good news is that you can help prepare your child at home to be a go-getter when it comes to friendship with the following strategies:

• Encourage your child to participate in school games and activities
• Encourage your child to seek out other students who may be sitting alone or are reluctant to participate in group activities. (Try roleplaying.)
• Read books on making new friends
• Engage your child in conversations that will help boost his or her social and communication skills

How Can I Support My Child’s Education at Home?

If you want your child to succeed in the classroom, the first steps begin at home. You can help grow your child’s love for learning by reading together regularly, having daily conversations about the school day, and playing educational games as a family. In addition, children need an organized and distraction-free space where they can do their schoolwork, so try setting up a designated homework area at home.

What if My Child Has Separation Anxiety?

Most children deal with separation anxiety at one point or another. If your child has previously attended preschool, he or she may have already grown accustomed to saying goodbye, and knows that the separation is temporary. However, if your child is new to the drop-off situation, it may cause some serious anxiety and even some major meltdowns.

Kindergarten teachers know that dealing with separation anxiety is part of the job and are equipped to help your child adjust. Your child’s teacher might suggest implementing consistent routines, gradual transitions, or the possibility of bringing a familiar comfort item from home. If you think your child will experience separation anxiety when starting school, it’s a good idea to let their teacher know ahead of time so that you can collaborate on a game plan.

How Involved Should I Be in My Child’s Kindergarten Experience?

Don’t worry, there’s no need to jump right into being head of the PTA as soon as your child enters elementary school. However, it’s crucial that parents stay up to date on what is being taught in the classroom so that they can reinforce learning material at home.

Additionally, involvement in the school community through attending parent-teacher conferences, chaperoning field trips, and volunteering in the classroom will foster a better parent-teacher relationship, which will equip both parties to work together for the child’s educational success.

Bonus Tip: Make It Fun!

Although kindergarten can be a new, and sometimes nerve-wracking experience for parent and child, it’s also a fun and unique season of life that only comes around once. Don’t forget to model a positive attitude toward school. Celebrate even the seemingly minor milestones and achievements, and talk about the benefits that can come from learning to read, write, and count.

Ask your child to tell you their favorite part of the day, as well as something fun or funny that happened. This will encourage your child to look for the positive throughout the day and will contribute to a happier learning experience.

By preparing your child to be kindergarten-ready at home, teaching them to build and develop meaningful friendships, and staying involved in their school life, you’ll equip your child to enjoy a smooth transition into this next chapter of their life. And don’t forget, your child’s teacher is there to help you, too! Don’t be afraid to share any questions or concerns you may have so that you and your child can begin this new adventure with confidence.

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If you’re a parent about to send your child to kindergarten, you probably have questions but may feel hesitant to ask. This infographic provides helpful tips for navigating the kindergarten experience.

It’s been a long day at the office. You were late thanks to road work, your boss was in a bad mood, and you only barely met the deadline for a massive project by staying late for the past two weeks. The stress has been weighing on your shoulders, growing heavier with each passing day. You need to take a load off.

So, what do you do? You put the kids to bed at a decent hour, crash onto the couch, and reach for the remote. Flipping through the selection of movies and shows, you pass by the dramas, thrillers, and action-heavy titles. You need something light, so you head to the comedy genre.

Think about the last time you had a good laugh. How did you feel afterward? Chances are, you felt better than you did before. Laughter is a pretty potent medicine, able to cure and curb a plethora of ailments. Its effect on the brain is impressive. But did you know that laughter and learning go hand-in-hand? Believe it or not, laughter is a crucial part of learning and stimulates brain growth and activity in a number of ways.

If your child is having trouble reading, stressing over an upcoming test, or despairing over a tricky math concept, laughter may be the solution. The team of elementary teachers at our private school in Atlanta have discovered the rich benefits of laughter in the classroom, and you can, too. So, if your curiosity has been tickled, read on. Together we’ll unlock the hidden benefits of laughter in learning.

1. Laughter is a Proven Stress-Reducer

Laughter releases endorphins in the brain, which, in addition to being a natural painkiller, also relieve sensations of stress and anxiety. These endorphins cause your brain to send signals through the nervous system to the rest of the body, lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and other physical responses to stress.

Feelings of stress are replaced with elevated feelings of calm and happiness, leading to an overall better mood. In addition, the brain activity associated with laughter also helps boost self-esteem and confidence.

2. Laughter Boosts Motivation and Engagement

Who doesn’t prefer to engage in activities they find enjoyable? It’s a natural response and one that can be utilized to enhance learning. By providing opportunities for laughter in educational settings, teachers and parents can help increase the child’s desire to engage. Lessons that are entertaining and fun are more likely to draw and maintain a student’s attention, and students are more likely to commit such lessons to memory.

3. Laughter Enhances Memory and Retention

Not only does laughter stimulate the brain to produce those happy endorphins, it also activates the areas of the brain connected with learning and memory. If you want your child to commit something to memory, try telling a funny story, singing a silly song, or sharing an amusing acronym. Information processed in a positive way is more likely to be committed to long-term memory.

4. Laughter Improves Communication Skills

Helping your child develop their unique sense of humor actually has its educational benefits. Children who can appreciate the wordplay, nuances, and timing of humor often have enhanced communication skills.

Jokes and silly stories are a great way to build a more diverse vocabulary. In addition, humor builds emotional intelligence, helps children become more apt at picking up on social cues, and encourages them to put themselves in another person’s shoes.

5. Laughter Builds Connections

In social settings, shared laughter builds bridges of connection. Sharing a laugh in the classroom is a great way to foster peer relationships between students, which builds comradery, promotes teamwork, and boosts empathy. Laughter increases feelings of community and belonging. When children feel comfortable with their peers, they’re more likely to feel a sense of security, allowing them to experience more effective learning.

In addition, students will feel more drawn to teachers who appropriately engage humor as a teaching tool. This causes them to seem more relatable and approachable, allowing for a deeper and more comfortable teacher-student connection. When a stronger connection is forged, students are more likely to actively engage and participate in the classroom.

Walt Disney once said that “laughter is no enemy to learning.” Instead, it is a trusty comrade, a powerful tool, and a worthy companion. Its benefits in education are vast and varied, and any education without humor would be lacking.

When parents and teachers learn to harness the power of humor, they unlock new levels of learning in the minds of their children and students. Humor’s ability to reduce stress, boost motivation, enhance memory, improve communication skills, and foster meaningful social connections is remarkable.

So, if you’re ready to help your child level up in learning, a little laughter will go a long way.

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If your child is struggling with reading, stressed about a test, or finding math tricky, laughter may be the solution. Read the infographic to discover the benefits of laughter in learning.

Here at Academy of Scholars, a private Christian school in Atlanta, we’ve had the privilege of working with many students with dyslexia. While children with dyslexia can often struggle with feeling different from their peers, it’s important for students and parents to realize that this reading-based disability is far more common than you might think. In fact, the International Dyslexia Association estimates that about 15-20% of the population has some form of dyslexia.

Dyslexia at a Glance

Most people understand dyslexia as a condition that causes challenges in reading and writing. But what is it really, and what causes it? Dyslexia is a neurological condition which can hinder the brain from processing language-based information with ease. Those with dyslexia typically struggle with spelling, coherent writing, and reading fluency.

As for the cause, science has yet to fully uncover the answer. However, it is of utmost importance to understand that dyslexia does not indicate a lack of intelligence. In fact, there is compelling evidence that Albert Einstein himself, one of the most brilliant minds in history, actually suffered from dyslexia!

Strategies for Learning with Dyslexia

1. Engage the Senses

Is your child having trouble reading? It might be that a more hands-on approach is needed. Helping children with dyslexia learn to read requires out-of-the-box strategies. As you work with your child, try engaging multiple senses in different ways. For example, have them trace a letter in the sand with their finger while verbally sounding it out. Grab some alphabet soup and practice making words at the dinner table. Or, listen to songs and stories that help build phonemic awareness.

2. Focus on Phonemic Awareness/Phonics

Phonemic awareness is the ability to break words down into separate speech sounds. Phonics is similar but slightly different, in that it deals with the letter-sound connection. Both of these skillsets are critical to fluent reading. As you seek out reading curriculums for a struggling reader, make sure to find one that focuses on both of these skills.

Phonemic awareness will involve separating words into their component sounds and then practicing manipulating those sounds. For example, for the word “through,” a student should be able to identify the /th/, /r/, and /oo/ sounds and then practice adding, removing, and switching these sounds in the word.

Phonics will involve consonant blends, prefixes and suffixes, and rules of the English language (why the “a” in “bake” says /ae/ and why the “ge” at the end of “page” says /j/).

3. Practice Sight Words

Students who have difficulty sounding out words will often resort to memorizing them. This can become an unhealthy crutch that allows them to side-step the process of breaking words into component parts.

A good reading program should prioritize teaching kids how to read unfamiliar words through phonics and phonemic awareness instruction. However, some memorization can be really helpful–especially when it comes to high-frequency words. A student will lose fluency if they have to sound out common words like “about,” “because,” and “although” every time they encounter them.

Find a list of the most common sight words (available on the internet) and practice these words on flashcards with your child.

4. Read in Context

While you’re beefing up a student’s reading strategies, make sure to give them plenty of practice reading. This exposes them to more words, builds their vocabulary, and boosts their comprehension.

When they make mistakes, stop to correct them. You can point to the missed portion of the word and ask them if what they see on paper matches what they said. That way, they’re not reading words incorrectly over and over again.

How a Private Christian Academy Can Offer the Support Your Child and Family Need

A private, Christian education can offer a unique and tailored approach to learning by bringing a biblical foundation to academic excellence. Faith-based learning ensures a holistic approach by focusing not only on body and mind, but on the soul, as well. For students who struggle with dyslexia, a Christian academy can offer the support and encouragement needed for children to thrive in the following ways:

1. Faith-Based Encouragement

Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God has uniquely designed each of us with a purpose, and He doesn’t make mistakes. While cognitive conditions like dyslexia can make certain aspects of learning more of a challenge, a faith-based education will remind children that their struggles will not hinder them from experiencing God’s good plan for them. Students will be equipped with fundamental truths from which they can glean the strength and encouragement they need to persevere.

2. Personalized Learning Plans and Procedures

Private schools often have the ability to offer a more tailored learning approach for the individual student. Here, students will have access to the accommodations needed for academic success.

3. Exceptional Tutoring

The best Christian academies should offer a wide selection of quality tutors to help your child in the areas they might be struggling in. These tutors will be able to give one-on-one support and encouragement to the dyslexia student.

4. Professional Development

Private schools often require more rigorous professional development for their teachers and faculty. Training is targeted to address specific learning needs, such as dyslexia.

It’s no secret that dyslexia can pose additional challenges to a child’s academic experience. But, there’s hope for the struggling student and family. A Christian academy can help overcome this hurdle by providing the tools and encouragement your student needs. With the proper support at home and in the classroom, children with dyslexia can reach their full potential and be equipped to live out their God-given purpose.

Let’s be honest–even as adults, most of us would probably say we wish we had better social skills. Sure, you might be a social butterfly or the most eloquent and charismatic personality. But chances are, you still have those moments after a social interaction where you wish you would have said or done things differently.

You can give your kids an advantage by fostering their social skills at a young age. These “soft skills” will be critical for healthy relationships, academics, and career success.

The term “social skills” refers to a set of learned and developed behaviors that help a child relate to the world around them. These skills include the ability to solve problems, communicate, show empathy, collaborate, and regulate emotions. Social skills develop over time, and the journey for one child will look different from another child’s. Diverse interactions and experiences can go a long way in helping children develop these critical skills.

What are the most important social skills for a child to master?

1. Clear Communication

Even as adults, it can be difficult to articulate what we’re thinking and feeling in a clear and concise way. Healthy social skills involve using respectful language and body language, as well as using active listening.

2. Empathy

Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. It helps us to consider the feelings of others rather than just our own. When children are able to feel empathy for others, they can develop kindness, compassion, and respect.

3. Cooperation

Whether in the classroom, at the park, or at home, it’s important for children to practice cooperation and collaboration by taking turns, sharing, and learning to work together as a team.

4. Problem-Solving

One of the keys to navigating challenges and conflict is found in problem-solving. This key skill is developed through brainstorming, evaluating cause and effect, and considering multiple perspectives and courses of action.

5. Regulating Emotions

Finally, children need to be taught to regulate emotions. While it may not be uncommon for a young child to throw a tantrum or hit a sibling when they’re upset, carrying this kind of behavior into their adult life is problematic. Children should learn that there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to communicate and express emotions.

What are proven ways to develop better social skills in children?

1. Practice Taking Turns

Play games that require children to wait patiently for their turn and watch as their peers have a turn. You can also set a timer and allow children to take turns with a popular toy, explaining that when the timer goes off, it’s time to hand it to the next person.

2. Pretend Play

One of the best ways for children to develop social skills is to let their imaginations run wild. Playing pretend allows them to put themselves into another character, interact with others in new ways, and play out real-life situations in a fun way.

3. Use Videos and Music

When teaching healthy social skills to your child, don’t forget that the internet is full of excellent sources and learning materials. It’s okay to use technology to your advantage! Introduce your child to videos about healthy social skills or listen to music that helps children remember the rules of social behavior.

4. Model and Imitate

Children are most likely to replicate the behavior they see, and this especially goes for social behavior. The best way to teach effective social skills to your child is to model them yourself.

5. Tell a Story

Stories transport us to new places, allow us to experience new things, and help us to put ourselves into different situations. Reading and hearing stories helps children see things from another point of view, consider cause and effect, and develop empathy. When you read, ask questions that will help them connect with the story. Questions like, “How do you think the character feels about that?” or “What would you do in this situation?” can help your child develop better social skills to put into practice in real life.

6. Give Opportunities for Teamwork

The ability to work well with others is a social skill that will help your child succeed in school and the world beyond. But, this skill definitely doesn’t come naturally. Children learn to work with others as they engage in collaborative team-building activities. This can include group projects in the classroom, a shared art project, or games like relay races.

7. Talk About Appropriate Social Behavior

While there are many great ways to show and teach your child appropriate social behavior, it’s also important to talk about it plainly and openly. Make sure your child knows what is expected of him or her in social situations and what kind of behavior is appropriate or inappropriate.

8. Play Social Skills-Targeted Games

Don’t forget to make learning fun! These games (and more) help your child develop social skills in a creative way:

• Simon Says
• Staring contest
• Emotion charades
• Story improv
• Expression mimicking
• Multiplayer board and card games
• Scavenger hunt

9. Put it Into Practice

Now that you’ve given your child the understanding and foundation needed to build their social skills, it’s time to put them to the test! Go on that playdate, join the T-ball team, or get out in the community together. The best way to build social skills is to practice, practice, practice!

Looking for an Atlanta Christian school that emphasizes social skills development along with sterling academics? Contact The Academy of Scholars for a tour.

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Social skills develop over time and vary for each child. Diverse interactions and experiences are crucial for their development. Learn about the most important social skills for children in this infographic.

Is your child having trouble reading? It might help to know that you are by no means alone. A report by The Nation’s Report Card found that 37% of fourth graders in the United States read well below grade level.

Why is it that so many children are severely behind in reading? There are many factors, but here are seven big ones that commonly keep kids from reading to their full potential.

What are the biggest challenges that young readers face?

1. Phonemic Awareness/Phonics

Studies confirm that children who are systematically taught phonemic awareness and phonics have an easier time learning to read than those who lack this foundational knowledge. A child who demonstrates effective phonemic awareness is able to identify, consider, and arrange sounds within words. They are able to isolate individual sounds within a word (what is the first sound in “hat”? /h/) and blend sounds together to form a word. They can also add, remove, or switch phonemes within words.

Phonemic awareness is the foundation to decoding both spoken and written language. However, many children lack the ability to discern phonemes and sequence them together. Explicit instruction and intensive practice opportunities can help fix this.

Phonics is also critical and deals with the relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds. It involves blends, common consonant/vowel patterns, prefixes and suffixes, and spelling rules (like the silent “E” and the C+E = /s/ rule).

Finding a school with an integrated curriculum that teaches both phonemic awareness and phonics is critical to helping children who are struggling with reading.

2. Vocabulary

A robust vocabulary is another essential building block to effective reading. Sadly, many children today possess increasingly limited vocabularies. Here are a few tips for increasing your child’s vocabulary:

• Ditch the baby talk: Try not to over-simplify things when speaking to your child. If your toddler asks for water by calling out, “wa-wa,” respond with, “Would you like some water?” Allow them to learn through context without encouraging simplified words.
• Read aloud: Books allow us to introduce words that might not otherwise come up in everyday conversation and beef up kids’ word knowledge.
• Keep up the conversation: Engage your children in conversation and engage them often. Don’t be afraid to use a developed vocabulary. Your kids will follow your lead.
• Consider context: Before simply offering the definition of a word, ask your child questions to help them consider the context and meaning of the word. Chances are, they’ll be able to figure it out from context clues.

3. Comprehension

Just because a student can sound out and identify words doesn’t mean that they can comprehend what the text is really saying. You can help your child develop their comprehension skills by asking questions while reading.

The following questions will allow your child to stop and consider the material instead of rushing through it:

• “What do you think this story is going to be about?”
• “What do you think will happen next?”
• “What do you think that word means?”
• “Can you picture the scene and tell me what you’re seeing?”
• “Can you explain in your own words what happened or what this passage is trying to say?”
• “Why do you think the character reacted that way?”
• “Why do you think the character said that?”
• “What do you think will happen as a result of what just happened?”
• “Can you summarize the story?”

4. Early Exposure

Some children who struggle with reading did not have a robust early exposure to reading. If you want to set your child up for success, make sure you read frequently at home. Even infants and toddlers can benefit cognitively from being read to. When you read aloud, try using your finger to trace the words as you read slowly and clearly so that your child can begin to follow along.

5. Language Barriers

For more and more children in the United States, English is not the first language spoken at home. While the exposure to multiple languages can be of great benefit to students in the long run, it can make things more difficult as they are learning to read. If your child comes from a bilingual household, consider organizing one-on-one teaching or tutoring for your child.

6. Inadequate Reading Curriculum

Many of the reading curricula still used today are “old school.” They are not founded on the most compelling, current research. If your child is struggling with reading, look into your school’s reading curriculum.

An effective reading curriculum should teach phonemic awareness and phonics without relying solely on “sight words” that kids can memorize. In addition, it should teach comprehension strategies and immerse students in all kinds of literature.

A good curriculum should also track each student’s individual progress and fluency. Testing and analytics show how your child’s reading aptitude compares to their peers’ around the country. It allows the school to know how a child is struggling so that they can shore up weaknesses.

7. Motivation

Even if your child’s school uses the most highly acclaimed reading curriculum, they can only go so far without proper motivation. Here are a few ways you can motivate your child to grow as a reader:

• Provide a diverse range of reading materials.
• Read often and read together.
• Allow your child to pick out books that interest them.
• Set reading goals.
• Offer reading rewards.

Although many children have a hard time learning to read, you can give your child the tools they need to succeed. By helping them build phonemic awareness, master phonics, strengthen comprehension skills, and get exposure to the joys of reading, your child will be more motivated and ready to learn.