--- title: Understanding why kids struggle with reading description: Reading is a challenge for lots of kids. Find out why some children have trouble with reading, and how to help with reading problems. slug: child-trouble-reading author: Gretchen Vierstra, MA reviewer: Bob Cunningham, EdM published: '2019-08-05T15:06:48.372Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/1m4b8nQl2G7cbDAyTJnzxc/70a6900097731444d116c86d96c69f63/Enhance60_1200x900_thumbnail_Understood7WaystoImproveReadingFluency.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-reading lang: en --- # Understanding why kids struggle with reading The process of learning to read isn’t easy. When kids struggle with reading, it doesn’t mean they’re not smart. It also doesn’t mean they’re lazy. In fact, kids who have trouble reading are often trying as hard as they can.  Some kids just need more time and practice than others to learn reading skills. Others need extra help and support to get there. This is especially true if they’re learning to read in a language that is new to them. When young kids are “behind” in their reading skills, consider their age. Not all kids develop at the same pace. And the differences can be even greater for kids who are young for their grade.  You can also look at how they’re being taught to read. If they’re not getting the type of instruction they need, it can have an impact on how fast they learn and how well they read. Another possible factor is heredity. Reading difficulties often run in families.  Some kids learn and think differently, and those differences can cause trouble with reading. This includes a common learning difference called dyslexia. --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-reading#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-reading","description":"Reading is a challenge for lots of kids. Find out why some children have trouble with reading, and how to help with reading problems."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-reading","name":"Understanding why kids struggle with reading"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:06:48.372Z","description":"Reading is a challenge for lots of kids. Find out why some children have trouble with reading, and how to help with reading problems.","headline":"Understanding why kids struggle with reading","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-reading","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```