5 Signs Your Child Needs Reading Support - A Guide For Parents

Millions of children struggle with reading, it is more common than we realise. Particularly in India, children who struggle with reading are more prevalent than in other nations, which we do not even realise it almost 30% of children. 

    

Indian schools place equal value on English and our regional languages. Indian languages are phonetic, whereas English is not a phonetic language, and our brains process them differently. 

    

Additionally, phonological awareness and phonics are not taught in any of our schools during the foundational years of education.

    

Parents frequently mistake these difficulties for indolence, attitude, or lack of intelligence due to ignorance.

Some children need specific, structured guidance to develop strong reading skills. Every child has different learning needs, and at Manas Learning, we recognise that early intervention can have a big impact on a child's academic trajectory and self-esteem. All learning is built on phonological awareness and the reading brain, and when a child lags, it affects not only their academic performance but also their emotional health. Sadly, a lot of parents wait too long in the hopes that their child will eventually catch up on their own or take tuition classes, which is neither here nor there. But without the proper assistance, these difficulties frequently get worse over time. Children can flourish if the symptoms are identified early and assistance is sought.

5 Signs Your Child Needs Reading Support

A child's inability to recognise letters and their sounds is one of the first indications that they may be struggling with reading. You might notice your child mixing up b and d or left from right which is common till the age 6, but if this is persistent with all other letters and even with repeated practice, like "b" and "d," "p" and "q," "f and t," "u and n," or "w and m." They might also have trouble associating letters with sounds, which makes it challenging for them to sound out words (was as saw, wos, was, etc). For instance, instead of correctly reading words, they might make educated guesses based on the initial letter.

Weak phonemic awareness, or the capacity to perceive and manipulate sounds in words, is frequently the cause of this difficulty. 

Children struggle to advance in spelling and reading fluency without this fundamental ability. 

These abilities can be strengthened with easy exercises like writing letters in the sand or playing sound-matching games. Weak phonemic awareness, or the capacity to perceive and manipulate.

What to Watch For

• Mixes up similar-looking letters (e.g., "b" and "d," "p" and "q"). 
• Struggles to connect sounds to letters (e.g., can’t recall that "a" makes the "ah" sound). 
• Avoids reading aloud or guesses words instead of sounding them out.

Slow, laboured reading is another warning sign. Your child might require extra help if they read far more slowly than their classmates, frequently word by word, or frequently lose their place in the text. Rapid word recognition enables fluent readers to concentrate on comprehending the text rather than decoding every word. Slow and laborious reading causes fatigue, making comprehension challenging. In this case, kids may completely avoid reading or whine that it's too difficult. With time, their confidence and fluency can be increased by using resources like a finger tracker or reading aloud in a casual, group setting. 

What to Watch For

• Reads much slower than peers, often word by word. 
• They frequently lose their place in the text or skip lines. 
• Complaints that reading is "too hard" or "takes too long."

Inconsistent writing and poor spelling are also typical signs of reading difficulties. A child may continue reversing letters and numbers beyond the age at which it is developmentally normal, or they may spell the same word differently within a single paragraph. These issues frequently indicate challenges with visual processing or working memory. The child may feel overwhelmed by writing assignments and find it difficult to organize their ideas on paper. While word families and dictation exercises can be useful for practice, structured interventions are often necessary to address the underlying causes of these issues.

What to Watch For

• Spells the same word differently within one paragraph (e.g., "wuz," "was," "wos"). 
• Writes letters or numbers backward past age 7. 
• Struggles to organize thoughts on paper. 

Another warning sign is avoiding reading. Even if your child enjoys stories, if they regularly choose other activities over reading, it may serve as a coping mechanism for their frustration or embarrassment. Some kids attempt to hide their difficulties by guessing or memorizing words, which ultimately widens the gap over time. Rekindling their interest and providing essential practice can be achieved by making reading an enjoyable, low-pressure activity, such as looking through comics or picture books together.

What to Watch For

• Chooses TV or games over books, even if they enjoy stories. 
• Gets frustrated or angry when asked to read. 
• Pretends to read by memorizing or guessing.

Lastly, even though they can decode words, reading comprehension issues present a significant concern. A child may read a passage effortlessly but struggle to answer questions about it or may miss important details. They are not fully engaging with the text due to this disconnect between decoding and comprehension. This gap can be bridged by summarizing paragraphs or by asking straightforward "who, what, where, when, and why" questions. This gap can be filled by summarising paragraphs or by posing straightforward "who, what, where, when, and why" questions.

What to Watch For

• Can read words but can’t explain what happened in the story. 
• Misses key details or answers questions incorrectly. 
• Relies on pictures instead of text.

How to Help Your Child

The first thing to do if you see these symptoms in your child is to watch them without passing judgment. Make a note of particular difficulties, such as slow reading, letter confusion, or avoidance behaviours. Getting an evaluation from an expert can help clarify things and direct the course of action. After that, give the child phonological classes using multisensory approaches or fun-filled activities to make learning interesting and successful, Manas Learning provides individualised, phonics-based classes and a reading program catered to each child's needs.

Myths vs. Facts About Reading Struggles

❌Myth: "My child just needs to try harder."

✅Fact: Effort alone won’t fix underlying processing gaps. 

❌Myth: "They’ll outgrow it."

✅Fact: Delayed support leads to larger academic gaps. 

❌Myth: "Only weak students need help." 

✅Fact: Bright children can struggle with reading—it’s not about intelligence. 

Addressing widespread misunderstandings regarding reading difficulties is also crucial. Many parents think that their child will outgrow the issue or that they simply need to put in more effort. Nevertheless, work by itself won't address underlying processing issues, and support delays frequently result in wider academic gaps. Another misconception is that only weak students require assistance; however, reading difficulties are not a sign of intelligence; even bright kids can have them. Establishing a nurturing atmosphere at home is essential. Make reading a joyful, communal activity and give credit for effort rather than just outcomes. Over time, small, regular steps can add up to big gains.

A child who struggles with reading doesn't necessarily lack ability; they just require the correct resources and encouragement to be successful. Parents can avoid frustration and support their child's growth into a self-assured, happy reader by identifying the symptoms early and getting assistance. With professional guidance and specialised tactics, we at Manas Learning are dedicated to helping families navigate this journey. Don't hesitate to schedule a consultation if you believe your child needs support. One reader at a time, we can change the story and unleash their potential together.

If this blog resonates with you, share it with other parents to spread awareness. If you’re concerned about your child’s reading skills, book a free screening with us. Follow Manas Learning for more tips on supporting children with learning differences. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, and with the right help, they can.

📞 Contact MANAS Learning today for a consultation. Let’s unlock your child’s potential together!