Avoid the 4th Grade Reading Slump: How to Keep Your Child on Track from K-4 (Part 2) Artwork

Engaging Reluctant Readers

Tired of the nightly reading battles? Struggling to get your child to open a book because they refuse to read at all costs? Maybe they can read but just don’t want to, or perhaps they struggle with the basics, making reading feel frustrating and exhausting. Or maybe books just can’t compete with screens, sports, or other distractions. No matter the reason, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not failing as a parent.

Welcome to Engaging Reluctant Readers—the podcast for book-loving moms raising reluctant readers. Hosted by Ellen Westbrook, a Literacy Coach (and recovering reluctant reader herself!), this show is here to help you transform your child’s reading journey from dread to must-be read and rediscover family reading fun along the way.

As a mom of two high-energy boys with a degree in Elementary Education, Ellen gets it—the frustration, the worry, and the endless search for ways to make books click for your child. She’s here to bridge the gap between your love of reading and your kiddo’s resistance, helping you understand why they struggle and, more importantly, what actually works.

You won’t find complicated reading strategies or one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, Ellen shares real-life strategies that fit into your busy days and make reading feel fun instead of forced. From creative ways to build stamina, confidence, and reading skills to strategies that make books more engaging and spark a genuine love of reading, every episode is designed to help you make real progress—without the fights, tears, or frustration.

Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with actionable tips, and released every Thursday—so you can get quick wins without adding more to your already-full plate.

Because reading should feel fun, not like a chore—and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

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Engaging Reluctant Readers

Avoid the 4th Grade Reading Slump: How to Keep Your Child on Track from K-4 (Part 2)

May 15, 2025 • Ellen Westbrook • Season 1 • Episode 7

Reading gets real in elementary school. Around 3rd or 4th grade, many kids shift from learning to read to reading to learn—but not every child makes that transition smoothly. This stage is where confidence can soar… or where frustration, fluency struggles, and disinterest take root.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook breaks down what strong reading looks like from Kindergarten through 4th grade, why the “4th Grade Slump” happens, and how to catch signs of reading struggles before they grow into bigger challenges. You’ll walk away with clear grade-by-grade expectations, actionable strategies, and the encouragement you need to keep your child growing as a reader—no matter where they are now.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ What “learning to read” vs. “reading to learn” actually looks like
✔️ Grade-by-grade reading milestones from Kindergarten to 4th grade
✔️ Why the 4th grade reading slump happens—and how to prevent it
✔️ Red flags that signal your child may be struggling with fluency or comprehension
✔️ Targeted strategies to build confidence, catch up, and reignite motivation

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:01:46] The shift from learning to read → reading to learn

[00:02:11] Reading milestones from K–4: decoding to comprehension

[00:05:46] What is the 4th grade slump (and why it matters)

[00:07:08] Signs your child is struggling with reading

[00:09:33] How to identify and support common reading challenges

[00:12:10] Building fluency through echo reading and phrasing

[00:14:34] Helping older kids rebuild decoding & stamina

[00:19:09] It’s never too late: rebuilding confidence in struggling readers

[00:21:54] Why strong reading skills matter beyond the classroom

[00:22:40] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/05/15/is-my-child-on-track-with-reading/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/PTxTknwl8lQ

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