How to Help Your Struggling Reader This Summer: A Simple, Encouraging Plan for Parents

As a parent, there’s nothing more heart-wrenching than watching your child struggle — especially when it comes to reading. If your child is reading below grade level or battling low confidence with books, summer can feel like a ticking clock. But here’s the good news: with a simple summer reading plan, you can help your child grow their reading skills, boost their confidence, and maybe even learn to love reading.

If your child is like my son — held back in third grade and just wrapping up fourth — and reading feels more like a chore than a joy, you are not alone. Many 4th and 5th grade students are still building the foundational skills they need to be fluent, confident readers. And summer is a perfect time to slow down and focus without the pressure of classroom comparisons.

Let’s walk through a realistic, encouraging, and parent-friendly summer reading curriculum for struggling readers — especially kids around age 10–11.

Why Is My 4th Grader Struggling With Reading?

First, let’s take a deep breath. Reading is not a race, and children develop at different paces. Some kids need more time with decoding and phonics. Others can read the words but struggle with comprehension. And some just haven’t found the right kind of books that spark their interest.

Whether your child is dealing with dyslexia, attention difficulties, or just hasn’t clicked with reading yet — a little daily consistency can go a long way. The key is to meet them where they are, and build from there.

A Simple Summer Reading Plan for Struggling Readers (Ages 10–11)

You don’t need a fancy homeschool setup or expensive tutoring. Just 30–60 minutes a day, broken into small sessions, can make a huge difference. Here’s a flexible weekly framework to try.

1. Focus on Phonics & Fluency (15–20 Minutes Daily)
Yes — even for older elementary kids, phonics can still matter. If your child stumbles over multi-syllable words or misreads common ones, some extra practice can help retrain the brain and build automaticity.

Resources we love:
- Nessy Reading & Spelling – Game-based and fun, great for struggling readers and kids with dyslexia.
- Teach Your Monster to Read – A phonics game that doesn’t feel like school.
- Blast Foundations from Really Great Reading – A structured, proven program for older kids who need a phonics reboot.
- IXL - targeted practice with audio support.

Try to make this part feel like a game, not a worksheet. Short and consistent wins the race.

2. Guided Reading Time (20–30 Minutes Daily)
Choose high-interest, lower reading level books — this helps them practice fluency without the frustration. Some of our favorite confidence-boosting series:

- Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta (animal battle books)
- Jake Maddox sports chapter books (short, fast-paced)
- National Geographic Kids leveled readers
- I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis (great for comprehension and engagement)
Tips for reading together:
- Take turns reading paragraphs aloud.
- Pause to ask questions: “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think she did that?”
- Talk about characters, feelings, or the setting to build comprehension.

3. Vocabulary and Word Games (10–15 Minutes)
Vocabulary is a secret key to comprehension. The more words your child understands, the better they’ll understand what they read.

Try:
- Vocabulary.com for fun, bite-sized lessons
- Word ladders or printable puzzles from Scholastic
- Board games like Boggle, Word Bingo, or Junior Scrabble

Make it fun! You’re planting seeds, not giving quizzes. Add these games into your summer fun schedule!

4. Writing to Reinforce Comprehension (2–3x Per Week)

Don’t worry — this doesn’t need to be formal. Let them write a sentence about the story, draw a comic strip, or even dictate a few thoughts to you.

Ideas:
- “What would you do if you were the character?”
- “Draw your favorite scene and write one sentence about it.”
- “Write a new ending for the story.”

Writing helps reinforce what they read and keeps their brain active in more ways than one.

A Sample Weekly Reading Routine
Day Focus Area
- Monday ~ Phonics + Guided Reading + Write 1 sentence - Tuesday ~ Fluency Game + Read-aloud + Word Game - Wednesday ~ Phonics + Nonfiction Article + Discussion - Thursday ~ Shared Reading + Draw a Scene from the Book
- Friday ~ Free Choice Reading + Vocabulary + Comic Strip

Keep It Light, Keep It Consistent
Remember — the goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. If you miss a day, start fresh the next. Celebrate small wins, like reading a full page fluently or remembering a new word.

Reading is deeply connected to confidence. Every encouraging word, every fun book you share, every moment you sit side-by-side — it matters more than any test score.

Final Thoughts

Helping a struggling reader doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right tools, some consistency, and a whole lot of love, you can help your child grow as a reader this summer. You might even find some favorite books of your own along the way.

So grab a stack of library books, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and cozy up beside your reader. You’ve got this — and so do they.

Want a free printable weekly reading chart or book list? Drop your email below or follow me on Pinterest for more reading tips for kids!

Nanny to Mommy