support for struggling readers: audiobooks

When seeking support for struggling readers, audiobooks are one of the first places families should look.

Guess what, friend? Listening to audiobooks counts as reading. Promise.

Friends, there’s no easy answer to any of these questions or concerns, but I will tell you this: for many kids, reading is a struggle.

For many kids, reading is stressful, difficult, and painful.

From many adults, I hear:

What should I do–my child hates reading!!
Is there a ‘quick fix’ for my son, who struggles with reading?
My daughter tells me she can’t read. Now what? I think she can read–I just think she doesn’t like to read.
How should I react when the summer reading conversation causes stress, anger, or anxiety for my son?
What is better for my child–a regular book? an ebook? an audiobook?
Is there a tool available to make reading easier for my kids? More enjoyable?

And one of the things that people tend to ask me most when it comes to summer reading is how they can engage and support reluctant or struggling readers.

The reality is that often our reluctant readers are our struggling readers.

Not always, but often.

Often, these kids don’t want to read because it’s not easy for them. It’s work. It’s hard, and it’s not even a little bit enjoyable. The texts that they are able to decode are ‘babyish’, boring, or low-interest.

I’m a longtime user of audiobooks, and, in particular, I love Audible’s seamless integration with multiple devices and wide range of texts. I cannot recommend Audible for kids highly enough.

Especially for our struggling readers, audiobooks add that extra layer of support. And when kids are able to follow along in the text, listen, and watch as words are highlighted, it’s even more of a win.

Check out the incredible titles that can be accessed on Kindle books with narration.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Support for Struggling Readers — Audiobooks

You may have heard of Audible.

Audible, Inc. is all about spoken audio. Audio everything: entertainment, information, and educational programming, and all of it’s online. Audible sells digital audiobooks, radio and TV programs, and audio versions of magazines and newspapers.

Audible deal right now?

Try Audible Premium Plus for $6.96/month for the first 4 months

And right now, you can score a pretty sweet deal on Kindle Unlimited if you want to go that route.

Just listening to books–and following along in the text as it’s read–is super helpful for struggling readers because audiobooks:

can motivate readers
demonstrate how fluent reading should sound
allow readers to really enjoy the story without being frustrated
make reading ‘multi-sensory’ which means that readers are seeing and hearing simultaneously
help reinforce the sound-symbol relationship between letters
remove the pressure for readers who are constantly trying to keep up.

And though it’s a simple process, this multi-sensory approach to reading has huge payoffs for our struggling–and emerging–readers.

Here’s how the Kindle + Audible combo works:

1. You buy a Kindle book. (Or get it FREE with Kindle Unlimited!!)

Very simply, head to your Amazon account, and choose a book that interests you.

You don’t need a Kindle; you can download the Kindle App and use it on just about any device.

2. Add the Audible audio companion.

Right now SO MANY Audible audio companions are deeply discounted. There are tons and tons of titles your kids will love for a few dollars. Check it out.

3. Then listen while you read along.

Thanks to “Whispersync for Voice” technology, you can read the book on your tablet, then listen to it on your smartphone and never lose your place. It’s perfect for keeping kids engaged in texts wherever you are!

Totally cool things you need to know:

The narration speed can be adjusted. Maybe go with the 0.75x speed for an emerging reader. Try the 1x speed for struggling readers. Stronger readers may lean towards 1.25x speed.
Kids love the Popular Highlights. Popular Highlights on any Kindle book show just that–popular passages, sections, or chapters that were highlighted by other readers.
The X-Ray is addicting. The X-Ray shows an in-depth look at where characters or terms were mentioned in the book.
Most books have super-cool bonus features. Reading Guide questions are super to use as a starting point for discussion about the text. Some books even contain Bonus Scenes which I love. Often books include a short ‘About the Author’ section at the end. Word Wise is a new feature which helps readers understand the more difficult words. LOVE!

Here are my recommendations for middle readers. (And for a limited time, you can add narration for about $2.99 or less!)

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

And if you’re okay spending a teeny bit more than $2.99 for narration, definitely check out these picks:

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

Some all-time favorite books? Books that will get kids laughing for sure??

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

Okay. I hit you with a lot here.

Real quick: Why are audiobooks such a big deal for struggling readers?

The combination of audio and visual hits multiple modes of learning. Not only are kids able to hear how the words on the page should be read, but they are also able to see the words highlighted at the same time.
Kids get a chance to hear how fluent reading should sound.
Kids aren’t put on the spot, trying to decode the words themselves. It’s a no-stress situation!
It’s a great way to help put the pleasure back into reading so kids can enjoy the story without anxiety.

So check out some of the stories that ‘come to life’ and let me know what you think!

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.