Why is confidence important in reading?

Reading confidence matters. Developing reading proficiency is essential for achieving overall success in school, and children who shy away from reading are likely to encounter even greater obstacles in the future. To nurture a child's self‑esteem it's important for parents to be patient and encouraging.

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8 Ways to Gently Build the student's Reading Confidence

1. Let Them Pick.

Kids love reading books about topics that interest them, so let them pick out the books they want to read.

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2. Don’t push the student.

When reading with the student, don’t force them to read out loud. Instead make sure that they are following along with you as you read. Trace your finger along the text as you read.

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3. Read to a different audience.

Suggest that they read to a puppy, younger sibling, or stuffed animal. None of these judge or know if a word was read correctly or not. This helps the student build their confidence.

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4. Praise.

Remind the student how well they are doing. Praising them is a great way to boost their confidence no matter what their reading level.

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5. Lower the Reading Level.

It’s okay to let the student read books that are below their reading level sometimes. In fact, it’ll improve their confidence when they know every word and don’t need help from their tutor.

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6. Don’t Overcorrect.

If building reading confidence is the goal, it’ll do them more good to overlook their small mistakes. Once the confidence has been built up, you’ll have time focus on accuracy.

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7. Struggle Out Loud.

Letting the student see you struggle with words has its benefits. Sound out names or words in front of the student so they see that isn’t a sign of a weak reader, but rather a useful tool for readers at every level.

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8. Word Games.

Word games will help build the student's spelling and reading skills in a fun (and secretly very educational) way.