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By Anne Hauth November 14, 2024
After decades of helping struggling and reluctant readers, we know this for sure: The more kids read, the faster they'll improve. In One Minute Reader , the quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. So how can you motivate kids to increase the number of stories they read? The One Minute Reader system is inherently motivating, but here are a couple more tips to get kids even more excited: Incentives! One Minute Reader gives kids points as they work through the steps for each story. Kids have fun accumulating these points--especially if they result in a reward! Many parents like to offer a small token (a treat, a sticker, a bit of screen time) when their child reaches a certain number of points. Small rewards could also be offered after the child passes a certain number of One Minute Reader stories or gets through a certain number of books. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. When you acknowledge your child's improvement in reading, it's often the best reward of all. Change the number of required Read Alongs and Read Alones based on performance. The One Minute Reader program requires kids to read along with audio recordings of the story and then to practice reading the story alone until able to read the story fluently. In the beginning, kids will often need to read along with the recording and practice the story more than once. However, if your child is making great progress and seems ready for a challenge, you can reduce the number of times they're required to read along and practice. (Parents can change these settings or each reader under the My Readers button in the reader management system.) This will allow them to progress through the stories more quickly. Conversely, kids who are not making the progress you'd expect may benefit from increasing the number of Read Alongs and Read Alones required until they become more fluent. Do additional research. One Minute Reader stories are about fascinating nonfiction topics. Kids working through the program will learn about everything from the invention of popsicles to meat-eating plants to barrier-breaking athletes. When your child seems particularly interested in a certain topic, it's easy to turn that interest into additional minutes of reading. Help them google more facts about the topic, or better yet, help them find a book about it at the library. The extra time they spend researching and reading about their favorite topic will translate into increased reading proficiency. Read together. Reading with your kids is one of the most effective ways to help them improve. When parents take the time to read with struggling or reluctant readers, the kids experience reading as enjoyable instead of frustrating. Teaching them words they may not know or asking them to read paragraphs aloud with you are great strategies to build their competence. One Minute Reader helps kids improve their reading skills independently. When parents combine this program with quality reading time together, kids tend to reach their reading goals quickly and with minimal frustration. So much of parenting involves trying to motivate kids to do things they need to do but may not want to do . Struggling and reluctant readers often stay stuck because they lack the desire to practice. Finding little ways to encourage them to read more and to read consistently is essential. We at One Minute Reader are here to help! Check out a free trial of our motivating program today, or get in touch with your questions.

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By Anne Hauth November 14, 2024
After decades of helping struggling and reluctant readers, we know this for sure: The more kids read, the faster they'll improve. In One Minute Reader , the quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. So how can you motivate kids to increase the number of stories they read? The One Minute Reader system is inherently motivating, but here are a couple more tips to get kids even more excited: Incentives! One Minute Reader gives kids points as they work through the steps for each story. Kids have fun accumulating these points--especially if they result in a reward! Many parents like to offer a small token (a treat, a sticker, a bit of screen time) when their child reaches a certain number of points. Small rewards could also be offered after the child passes a certain number of One Minute Reader stories or gets through a certain number of books. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. When you acknowledge your child's improvement in reading, it's often the best reward of all. Change the number of required Read Alongs and Read Alones based on performance. The One Minute Reader program requires kids to read along with audio recordings of the story and then to practice reading the story alone until able to read the story fluently. In the beginning, kids will often need to read along with the recording and practice the story more than once. However, if your child is making great progress and seems ready for a challenge, you can reduce the number of times they're required to read along and practice. (Parents can change these settings or each reader under the My Readers button in the reader management system.) This will allow them to progress through the stories more quickly. Conversely, kids who are not making the progress you'd expect may benefit from increasing the number of Read Alongs and Read Alones required until they become more fluent. Do additional research. One Minute Reader stories are about fascinating nonfiction topics. Kids working through the program will learn about everything from the invention of popsicles to meat-eating plants to barrier-breaking athletes. When your child seems particularly interested in a certain topic, it's easy to turn that interest into additional minutes of reading. Help them google more facts about the topic, or better yet, help them find a book about it at the library. The extra time they spend researching and reading about their favorite topic will translate into increased reading proficiency. Read together. Reading with your kids is one of the most effective ways to help them improve. When parents take the time to read with struggling or reluctant readers, the kids experience reading as enjoyable instead of frustrating. Teaching them words they may not know or asking them to read paragraphs aloud with you are great strategies to build their competence. One Minute Reader helps kids improve their reading skills independently. When parents combine this program with quality reading time together, kids tend to reach their reading goals quickly and with minimal frustration. So much of parenting involves trying to motivate kids to do things they need to do but may not want to do . Struggling and reluctant readers often stay stuck because they lack the desire to practice. Finding little ways to encourage them to read more and to read consistently is essential. We at One Minute Reader are here to help! Check out a free trial of our motivating program today, or get in touch with your questions.
By Anne Hauth September 4, 2024
Your struggling readers have likely asked themselves, or you, “Why is reading hard for me?” Sometimes, there is not a clear reason. With a little extra help, many struggling readers are simply able to crack the code and catch up. Other times, there is a clear reason: For millions of people, it’s dyslexia. Unfortunately, many individuals with dyslexia remain undiagnosed and have a more difficult time catching up to their peers. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in the country, affecting about 1 in 10 individuals. People with dyslexia have normal IQs, but differences in their brains make reading much harder for them. The dyslexic brain has a more difficult time understanding how letters and letter combinations represent sounds, and how letters are combined to form syllables and words. The symptoms of this learning disability include trouble with decoding, spelling, rhyming, and phonological awareness. If you have a child who may fit this criteria, visit the International Dyslexia Association page for self-assessment tools that provide information about diagnosing dyslexia in specific age groups. Humiliation about their learning struggles often causes students with dyslexia to retreat from class participation, lose confidence in their abilities, and underperform in school. Many go on to struggle in other key areas of their lives. To break this cycle, a greater understanding of dyslexia is essential. Teachers must be trained to identify dyslexia early on and provide appropriate intervention. When students with dyslexia receive the right kind of support, they are just as capable of performing well in school as their peers. Students who get additional support at home are more likely to reach their literacy goals more quickly. Sally Shaywitz, renowned dyslexia researcher and author of Overcoming Dyslexia , states that students with dyslexia typically need intensive, individualized instruction with feedback, guidance, and ongoing assessment in phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading fluency. Instructional programs should emphasize these core elements as well as building vocabulary and increasing comprehension. Reading researchers, including Shaywitz, recommend Read Naturally programs for providing this type of instruction. Read Naturally is the parent company of One Minute Reader. One Minute Reader was adapted from Read Naturally programs so that kids could use an effective reading tool independently at home. One Minute Reader and Read Naturally programs build phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through high-interest nonfiction stories. The strategy used in these programs was designed to help students build confidence and motivation through self monitoring of progress. One Minute Reader and Read Naturally programs have helped countless students with dyslexia become competent readers. Dyslexia is a clear barrier to learning to read, but One Minute Reader can provide a clear pathway around this barrier. It's an ideal program to use at home with kids who need extra help becoming competent readers. Try it out for a free week! After that, it's only $8/month.
By Madeline Waters September 3, 2024
Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to endless possibilities for children. As parents, we constantly seek ways to nurture our children’s reading abilities, making the process both enjoyable and educational. The One Minute Reader program is a fantastic tool designed to foster independent reading skills in children. Here are some tips to help you introduce this program to your child seamlessly and effectively. Start with an Overview: Before diving into the program, take some time to watch the “How Does One Minute Reader Work” video together with your child. This video provides a comprehensive overview of the program and helps your child understand what to expect. Set Up a Reading Routine: Establishing a consistent reading schedule is often a game changer. Choose a specific time each day dedicated to using the One Minute Reader program. Whether it’s right after school or before bedtime, consistency helps in building a habit. Create a Comfortable Reading Space: Designate a cozy and quiet reading nook where your child can focus without distractions. A comfortable chair, good lighting, or maybe a white noise machine can make this space inviting. Work Through the First Story Together: Help your child get started by working through the first story together. This hands-on guidance will help them feel comfortable with the steps involved and build their confidence to continue on their own. Start with a Positive Attitude: Your enthusiasm for the program can be contagious. Present the One Minute Reader program as a fun and exciting activity rather than a chore. Celebrate this new journey with your child, emphasizing the enjoyment and adventure in reading. Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for your child. Start with shorter reading sessions and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable. Celebrate small milestones to keep them motivated. Track Progress Together: Use the program’s tracking features to monitor your child’s progress. Discuss the improvements you both notice, and set new challenges together. This shared involvement can boost your child’s confidence and motivation. Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate your child’s reading achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s a special treat or a simple acknowledgment, recognizing their efforts reinforces positive behavior and encourages continued progress. Introducing your child to the One Minute Reader program can be a rewarding experience that sets the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. By creating a supportive and engaging environment, you can help your child develop essential reading skills while fostering their independence and confidence.

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By Anne Hauth November 14, 2024
After decades of helping struggling and reluctant readers, we know this for sure: The more kids read, the faster they'll improve. In One Minute Reader , the quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. So how can you motivate kids to increase the number of stories they read? The One Minute Reader system is inherently motivating, but here are a couple more tips to get kids even more excited: Incentives! One Minute Reader gives kids points as they work through the steps for each story. Kids have fun accumulating these points--especially if they result in a reward! Many parents like to offer a small token (a treat, a sticker, a bit of screen time) when their child reaches a certain number of points. Small rewards could also be offered after the child passes a certain number of One Minute Reader stories or gets through a certain number of books. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. When you acknowledge your child's improvement in reading, it's often the best reward of all. Change the number of required Read Alongs and Read Alones based on performance. The One Minute Reader program requires kids to read along with audio recordings of the story and then to practice reading the story alone until able to read the story fluently. In the beginning, kids will often need to read along with the recording and practice the story more than once. However, if your child is making great progress and seems ready for a challenge, you can reduce the number of times they're required to read along and practice. (Parents can change these settings or each reader under the My Readers button in the reader management system.) This will allow them to progress through the stories more quickly. Conversely, kids who are not making the progress you'd expect may benefit from increasing the number of Read Alongs and Read Alones required until they become more fluent. Do additional research. One Minute Reader stories are about fascinating nonfiction topics. Kids working through the program will learn about everything from the invention of popsicles to meat-eating plants to barrier-breaking athletes. When your child seems particularly interested in a certain topic, it's easy to turn that interest into additional minutes of reading. Help them google more facts about the topic, or better yet, help them find a book about it at the library. The extra time they spend researching and reading about their favorite topic will translate into increased reading proficiency. Read together. Reading with your kids is one of the most effective ways to help them improve. When parents take the time to read with struggling or reluctant readers, the kids experience reading as enjoyable instead of frustrating. Teaching them words they may not know or asking them to read paragraphs aloud with you are great strategies to build their competence. One Minute Reader helps kids improve their reading skills independently. When parents combine this program with quality reading time together, kids tend to reach their reading goals quickly and with minimal frustration. So much of parenting involves trying to motivate kids to do things they need to do but may not want to do . Struggling and reluctant readers often stay stuck because they lack the desire to practice. Finding little ways to encourage them to read more and to read consistently is essential. We at One Minute Reader are here to help! Check out a free trial of our motivating program today, or get in touch with your questions.
By Anne Hauth November 13, 2024
Children around the country will be asked the same question several times this month: What are you thankful for? While some children will take the time to pause and give a thoughtful answer, many will just answer the question quickly (“I’m thankful for my family and friends”) without taking the time to consider the meaning of what they’re saying. In fact, many adults will do the same thing. Encourage your kids to think about gratitude in a different way this year. True gratitude is not expressed by simply saying what we’re thankful for. True gratitude comes with action. It is the feeling of being thankful, plus the action of reaching out and finding a way to thank the source of that feeling. This a good practice to foster in your kids, and there are ways to make it a literacy-boosting activity. Win, win! If you’d like to give this a try with your kids, help your kids write down what they’re thankful for. Then, have them take action in the coming weeks with a related reading or writing activity. For example, if a child says he is thankful for his parents, have him write them a note expressing this gratitude. If a child says she is thankful for the earth, point her toward some reading material that celebrates the earth. Have her channel her thanks into a deeper understanding of some of the issues our planet faces. Here are a few more examples: “I’m thankful for food.” = Who prepared that food for you? Write that person a note to tell them why you’re thankful for it. “I’m thankful for my pet.” = Pets love to hear their owners’ voices. Pick a favorite book and read it aloud to your pet as a way of letting him know you appreciate him. “I’m thankful for recess.” = Who do you play with at recess? Write that person a note. OR: Why does it feel good to play outside? Read an outdoor magazine or nature book and make a list of outdoor activities you enjoy.  “I’m thankful for my computer.” = Technology helps us learn amazing things in exciting new ways. Use your favorite reading tool or reading game, such as One Minute Reader , and then write down how the computer made learning more enjoyable for you. Encouraging your kids to not just say thank you, but to also act on that feeling, will help them think more deeply about real gratitude. We at One Minute Reader are thankful for YOU for all that you do to help your kids. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
A parent walking through nature with their child.
By Anne Hauth November 12, 2024
We've arrived at the season of giving thanks--but shouldn't that be every season? Research shows that grateful people are happier and healthier. Here are 13 easy ways to cultivate gratitude with your kids all year long. Click on the links to download free printables! Keep a stack of these Gratitude Cards in a central area of your house. Anytime your child has someone to thank, encourage them to fill out a card! Play Gratitude BINGO. Download these printable BINGO Cards and instructions for playing . The BINGO Cards are an interactive PDF, so you can type on them before printing if you wish. Keep a family Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, ask your kids what they were thankful for that day. Write their thoughts in the journal. Encourage your kids to think of things specific to the day, and ask them to try not to repeat things from previous days. This practice will help them notice that there are new things to be thankful for each day. Download this Gratitude Scavenger Hunt and have kids complete this activity with friends, classmates, or neighbors. Design your own scavenger hunt using this interactive PDF with different items, so you can play as much as you’d like. Decorate your home with a Gratitude Tree. Create the tree by drawing branches on a poster board or by standing real twigs in a pot or vase. Have kids write their gratitudes on the Gratitude Leaf Cards and add them to the tree. Hopefully you'll be adding branches all year long as your kids think of more and more reasons to give thanks. Take a Gratitude Walk. Walk outdoors with your kids, and have them carry a notebook and pen. Ask them to be quiet during the walk. Have them notice and write down what feels good and what they appreciate about being outdoors. After the walk, ask them to elaborate, either verbally or in writing, on what they wrote down. The books on this Gratitude Book List are all about giving thanks. Whether you're looking for picture books to read aloud to younger kids or chapter books that inspire reflection in your older kids, this list has dozens of fantastic titles. Sometimes the simplest questions can lead to the most profound answers. Use these Gratitude Conversation Starters to prompt thoughtful discussions in your family. Do a daily Gratitude Meditation. Have kids close their eyes and think about the word “thankful” for a quiet minute each day. When they open their eyes, have them write down, tell you, or simply reflect for a moment on the things that came to mind. Have kids write what they’re thankful for on little slips of paper. Have them put the papers in a jar or add them to a bulletin board. Be a role model. Offer your own reflections whenever you feel thankful for something. Take pictures of the things your kids are grateful for. Print the pictures to make a Gratitude Collage to display in your home. Check out this blog post for additional literacy-boosting ways to cultivate gratitude. P.S. We are thankful for YOU! Thank you for all you do to help your kids become better readers. Please connect with us if One Minute Reader can support you in any way.
By Madeline Waters October 30, 2024
Picture this: Your child just got home from school. You tell him to go read for 20 minutes while you get dinner ready. He grabs a book and a spot on the couch, and you smile as you hear the pages turn. When it’s time to eat you ask, “What did you read about?” Your child hesitates, fumbling to form an answer. Suddenly, you wonder—was he even reading? You start to worry: Is he struggling with reading? How can you make sure he’s actually practicing when you don’t have time to supervise every reading session?
A child is sitting in a chair with a stack of books on her head.
By Madeline Waters October 23, 2024
Help your child overcome reading struggles and build confidence with proven strategies like reading together, repeated reading, and progress tracking.
A young girl is sitting at a desk holding a sign that says help.
By Anne Hauth September 17, 2024
If your child was struggling with reading, their teacher would let you know, right? Not always. Sometimes even the best teachers will fail to notice a struggling reader. Often, an undetected struggling reader is a student who behaves well in class and seems to focus quietly during independent reading time. The student’s grades might be decent and their standardized test scores in reading, while not as high as you might hope, are not overly concerning yet. A lower test score could be explained away as a fluke or just a bad day. Especially in lower grades, a bright student can often compensate for reading struggles by guessing and using context clues. During independent reading time, they know how to make it look like they’re reading when they’re not. This is often the type of student who is struggling more than they let on, and whom a busy teacher may not notice. Thankfully, as a parent, there are some key signs you can watch for. If you suspect your child might be struggling with reading, look for the following: 1. Avoiding Reading Struggling readers would rather not spend their time reading. If your child seems uninterested in books or frequently has an excuse such as “I’m too tired” or “I don’t feel like it,” this could be a sign that reading is challenging for them. Also notice if they’re hesitant to read aloud. 2. Difficulty With Phonics and Pronunciation If you notice that your child frequently mispronounces words when reading age-appropriate material aloud, they might be behind in phonics. Next time you notice them mispronouncing a word, ask them to sound it out for you. If they struggle to decode (sound out) the word, they may have gaps in their phonics knowledge that make reading difficult. 3. Substituting Words When a child has trouble decoding words, they’ll sometimes replace them with different words that look or sound similar. Notice if they tend to replace a harder-to-decode words, like “house,” with easier synonyms, like “home.” 4. Skipping Words Similarly, pay attention to whether your child tends to quickly skip past hard-to-pronounce words, hoping you won’t notice. Especially as texts become more challenging with a higher number of multisyllabic words, struggling readers often won’t attempt these difficult words. 5. Frequent Guessing Does your child frequently guess at words without trying to sound them out? Rather than using their skills to decode, many struggling readers rely on context to guess. Some kids become so good at guessing that their reading difficulties go undetected for years. 6. Reading Slowly When a fluent reader reads aloud, they sound like they do when they’re speaking. Struggling readers tend to read slowly, haltingly, and lack expression. They also take longer than their peers to get through texts when reading silently. 7. Trouble With Comprehension When your child finishes reading a passage of text, are they able to explain to you what the text was about? If the answer is no, comprehension could be an issue. Often, struggling readers are working so hard to decode the text that they don’t have the capacity to comprehend it at the same time. They may need to read the same text over and over again before they’re able to understand it. 8. Spelling Mistakes Spelling and phonics go hand in hand. If your child struggles to spell most words—especially straightforward, phonetically easy words—it is often a sign that they do not have an adequate grasp on phonics patterns and rules. 9. Writing Struggles Reading and writing are also closely connected. If your child struggles with reading, chances are they won’t be eager to write. Notice if they struggle to put their thoughts into words on paper, if they tend to write the bare minimum on assignments, and if their writing is full of spelling mistakes. 10. Mixing Up Letters Many kids will confuse visually similar letters, like b and d, as they are first learning to read. If you notice that your child struggles with this year after year, however, it could be a sign of dyslexia or other reading challenges. 11. Difficulty With Written Instructions Consider a child who aces all the problems on their math worksheet except for the word problems. Reading difficulties make it hard for kids to understand the instructions on their assignments. Watch for this as you help with homework. If your child needs you to explain the assignment or to read the problem to them, it might be because they’re struggling to read it on their own. 12. Physical Signs of Stress Some kids who struggle with reading will show physical signs of discomfort. They may squint, rub their eyes, fidget, or seem tense. This could be related to tracking or vision problems, which make reading difficult. It could also indicate frustration with the task of reading itself. 13. Inconsistency Notice if your child can read certain texts at their level but not others. Often, kids will sound fluent reading books they’ve read many times before, or they’ll be able to easily read text that is supported by pictures and repetition. But they need to be able to read unfamiliar, unpracticed text too. Proficient readers should be able to consistently read text at their level that they’ve never seen before. 14. Lack of Progress Keep tabs on whether your child’s reading skills are improving over time. If they seem stuck at the same level for a long period, they may need additional help. Concepts and vocabulary become increasingly difficult from grade to grade. Steady progress in reading is important, and intervention when they seem to have plateaued can keep your child from falling behind. 15. Difficulty With Foreign Languages Learning a foreign language is difficult for most people, but struggling readers will have an especially hard time. Languages like Spanish, for example, are highly phonetic. Kids who have a good grasp of phonics will often be able to decode words in these languages even before they’ve learned the meanings of the words. Kids who lack phonics skills will not be able to do this. Without the ability to rely on context clues, decoding words in foreign languages will be extremely difficult. Note that many struggling readers will have some of these signs but not all of them. If you suspect your child might be struggling with reading, pay attention to your instincts. Inquire about extra support at school, and work with them at home if possible. For kids reading at a first through fifth-grade level, One Minute Reader is a great tool for building fluency. If you’re concerned dyslexia might be the culprit, the International Dyslexia Association is a helpful resource that includes a free screener .
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