Reading help - find a reading tutor online

Anyone can benefit from becoming a better reader. Whether you or your child are preparing for a big exam, want to improve grammar and spelling skills, or just want a reading or English boost, finding a tutor to help you can be key.

Reading skills can be a crucial indicator of your child's future. An April 2011 study by the American Education Research Association reports that children who do not have the appropriate grade-level reading skills by third grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school than peers who can read proficiently. If your child is struggling with his or her reading skills, finding him or her the right kind of help can really help them soar in the classroom today and in the future. Research shows that well-structured, ongoing tutoring sessions that are aligned with what your child is studying in the classroom can be highly effective in improving reading skills.

What can a reading tutor do for you?

These days, you have many reading tutor options ranging from in-person to online help. Reading tutors are often skilled professionals who should be able to tailor sessions to suit different learning styles. Kids, especially, can benefit from a tutor who is a good listener and can make reading sessions seem fun, instead of just an extension of the school day. The U.S. Department of Education suggests that a good reading tutor:

• Creates a more favorable atmosphere for learning (particularly through the use of one-on-one instruction)

• Provides more time on task, increased opportunities to read and immediate feedback

• Allows for immediate, positive and corrective feedback to help the learner stay on track and not repeat errors

• Can increase reading performance

• Can improve motivation and decrease frustration

• Enhances interpersonal skills as a bond is established with the tutor

• Allows for individual monitoring of progress to ensure that learning is taking place

• Establishes important skills, such as patience, trustworthiness and responsibility

In other words, a good reading tutor can not only help with your child's reading skills and grades, but also with their social skills.

Finding a tutor: Local resources

Tap into both local and online communities in your search for a tutor. Many of your child's classmates may have also sought reading and homework help, so parents and teachers can be great resources for recommendations. Local resources may include:

• The parents of your child's friends or classmates
• Your local library or youth center--many local libraries use the Live Homework Help® system.
• Teachers or guidance counselors at your child's elementary school, middle school or high school
• Churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship and community centers

Finding a tutor: Online resources

Searching for tutoring services online can be fast and fruitful. Our TutorFinder can help you find a tutor near you. Other online resources include:

• Free online study guides and services, such as Starfall, Reading Rockets, or Book Adventure
• Online discussion groups, such as The American Reading Forum

Helping the tutor help your child

Whether you are the parent of a kindergartner, middle school, high school or college student, it's important that you are supportive of your child's efforts to improve his or her reading. You can help supplement the work a tutor is doing by helping to make reading accessible and fun. Some ways to do this are:

• Reading to/with your child on a daily basis
• Stocking your home and car with books, magazines and other reading materials
• Taking family trips to the library
• Play reading-related games while doing everyday activities, like grocery shopping or driving to soccer practice

As a parent, you're probably well aware that the more fun something is, the more likely your child is to be excited about doing it. By helping to promote the idea that reading is fun, you can encourage your child to be an enthusiastic reader who is motivated to improve.