How to Enhance Reading Ability in Children Grades K–5: Exploring the Approach

Curious about how to improve reading skills in elementary students? A simple, structured plan can build fluency, comprehension, and confidence—starting from kindergarten.

The science of reading, the Orton-Gillingham method, and other literacy programs highlight the importance of using different reading components during instruction to help students become proficient readers. It’s not possible to cover all of them within a short time frame.

However, you can introduce your children to them over time through a structured plan. For this, you need to know what your students should be taught and how to teach it effectively. This approach can be followed from kindergarten to Grade 5. Here’s a glimpse of a suitable learning plan for learners or readers at different levels.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Success for Elementary Students

Helping kids become strong readers starts with structure and the right tools. From phonics to comprehension, each grade has specific skills to build.

If you’re wondering how to improve reading skills in elementary students, this guide offers clear, developmentally appropriate strategies for learners from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Starting with the alphabet

Because this involves K-5 learning, it makes sense to start from the ground up. New or pre-readers can benefit from this. You can give instructions on the alphabet to those who have little or no knowledge of the alphabet and phonological awareness. They may not be able to decode words independently or read their own written words. Therefore, it is an ideal time to introduce them to letters, sounds, and word formation. You can plan their activities like this:

Moving on to decoding

Both kindergarten and grade 1 students can benefit from this plan. It can prove effective for individuals who struggle with reading fluency. At the same time, those who can read and spell words with closed syllables, consonants, and short vowels can be the right candidates.

You can also introduce decodable texts to those who have gained a grasp of high-frequency words. At this level, you can work on your students’ phonemic awareness, sight word vocabulary, and explicit phonics. Through rereading practices, you can help them detect familiar words. The schedule can go like this:

Developing reading fluency

It can benefit students in Grades 1 to 3. Even those who read well but are slower than their peers can also be trained in this area. Students who are familiar with multisyllabic words can also be given instructions on this. At this stage, teachers need to pay attention to students’ reading rates, phrasing, ability to read complex texts, stamina, accuracy, and other aspects. You can plan their learning sessions like this:

Adding comprehension practices

Comprehension can be introduced to fourth graders and beyond. Students can be good at reading according to their age. They may also recognize multisyllabic words, syllable patterns, and other related concepts.

At this stage, teachers should encourage students to read comprehension, develop vocabulary, and work on their writing. The idea is that they should understand the content. Their activities can be planned like this:

These are examples of how you can help children learn to read. The actual processes and methods you adopt can differ. However, ensure that you follow a curriculum that matches their skills and abilities. Through this, it will be easier to improve their reading ability.

Proven Ways to Improve Reading Fluency for Grades K–5

Improving reading skills takes time, but the right methods make all the difference. Start early with phonics, build fluency, and grow comprehension step by step.

Whether you’re a parent or educator, use a structured approach that matches each child’s skill level. Support, consistency, and a little creativity can help every student thrive as a reader.