From “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn”: A Parent’s Guide
For the first few years of elementary school, reading instruction is all about building the basics: phonics, sight words, and fluency. Kids are learning to read. But around third grade, the game changes. Suddenly, children are expected to use reading as the tool for learning in every subject—science, math word problems, social studies, and more. This shift, from learning to read to reading to learn, is one of the most important academic milestones in your child’s early education.
At Acadican Tutoring, we often see students struggle during this transition. The good news? With the right support, you can help your child feel confident and capable as they take on more challenging reading demands.
Why This Transition Matters
📘 Reading is the foundation for all subjects.
When children can’t comfortably read directions, word problems, or nonfiction texts, they may start to fall behind—not just in reading class, but across the board.
⏳ It happens quickly.
One year your child is working on blending sounds; the next, they’re expected to summarize a science passage or pull evidence from a text.
🎯 Confidence is at stake.
Struggling readers may feel frustration or anxiety, which can spill into their motivation to learn. Early intervention makes a huge difference.
How Parents Can Support the Shift
Keep Reading Together
Even as your child becomes a more independent reader, reading aloud together provides valuable modeling. Choose books that stretch their vocabulary and comprehension while still being enjoyable.Ask Open-Ended Questions
Go beyond “Did you like the story?” Try:
“Why do you think the character made that choice?”
“What’s the most important fact you learned from this page?”
This builds critical thinking skills they’ll use in every subject.
Balance Fiction and Nonfiction
Schools begin to introduce more nonfiction in upper elementary grades. Encourage curiosity by mixing in biographies, science books, or history stories alongside favorite chapter books.Practice Summarizing
After reading, ask your child to explain the main idea in their own words. This helps them learn to distill important information—a key skill for later academic success.Watch for Warning Signs
If your child avoids reading, struggles with comprehension, or shows frustration with homework that requires reading, they may need extra support.
How Tutoring Can Help
At Acadican Tutoring, we specialize in guiding students through this pivotal transition. Our one-on-one sessions help your student:
Build fluency and comprehension skills.
Teach strategies for understanding nonfiction texts.
Boost confidence so reading feels empowering, not intimidating.
Most importantly, we help students realize that reading isn’t just something they have to do—it’s the key that opens doors to learning about anything they’re curious about!!