Reason 1: They are trying out new reading strategies

• At the beginning of their literacy education, teachers provide their kids with many strategies to help them make sense of text and be able to decode new words. Practicing with these new strategies will understandably cause them to slow down when reading.

Reason 2: They want to think more about what they are reading

• Some kids like to think more deeply about the text, especially if they have active imaginations and curiosity.

Reason 3: They make a lot of mistakes reading words

• When kids make mistakes, they tend to want to go back and re-read the text, which causes a slower pace.

Reason 4: They’re reading text that is too hard

• Parents and teachers should try to find material that is at the right reading level for their students. This not only helps kids improve their reading, but it also helps them enjoy reading.

Reason 5: They feel anxious about reading

• Anxious kids tend to double-check what they have read to make sure they got it right.

Reason 6: They have trouble staying focused

• Kids that are easily distracted understandably take much longer to read.

Reason 7: They struggle with holding words in memory

• Kids with weaker working memories struggle to hold on to words long enough to use them in their reading, leading to re-reading.

Reason 8: They have trouble with language skills

• Kids with learning differences might find it harder to process and understand language.

Takeaways:

1. Kids that read slower are not less smart than those that read faster.
2. There are many reasons why kids might read slower.
3. These students might require additional support in helping them improve their pace.
4. Parents and teachers should work together to form strategies to help their children build their reading skills.

Original Source:

Bob Cunningham, Understood, "8 reasons kids might read slowly": https://www.understood.org/en/articles/8-reasons-kids-might-read-slowly