Is my child truly struggling with reading, or are they simply developing at their own pace? Why does my child get so frustrated every time we try to read together? The teacher says everything’s fine, but something still feels off — should I trust my gut? My child is smart in other areas, so why is reading so hard for them? What kind of reading support actually works — and how do I find it in St. Louis?

Reading is the foundation for lifelong learning, yet many children struggle with it, and not always for obvious reasons. If you’re a parent in the St. Louis area wondering whether your child might benefit from a reading tutor, you’re not alone. The earlier you address reading challenges, the more confident and successful your child will be — not just in academics, but in developing a lasting love for reading. The good news? Fit Learning St. Louis can help.

How to Tell if Your Learner Would Benefit from Reading Tutoring

Here are some of the most common signs that your child may benefit from targeted reading support, and why reading tutoring at Fit Learning St. Louis may be the right solution.

Avoiding Reading-Related Tasks

Does your child groan, procrastinate, or become frustrated when it’s time to read? Avoidance is often the first sign of an underlying issue. Many kids act out or shut down to escape tasks that feel too hard or confusing.

Difficulty Sounding Out Words

Struggling to decode unfamiliar words is a key indicator that foundational phonics skills might be weak. A reading tutor can help strengthen these essential building blocks.

Slow, Choppy Reading

If your child reads word-by-word without natural flow or expression, they may lack reading fluency. Fluent readers are more efficient and better able to understand what they read.

Poor Comprehension

Your child may be able to read words out loud, but do they actually understand the content? Strong reading isn’t just about sounding out words — it’s about making meaning. Struggles with comprehension often stem from vocabulary limitations, weak decoding skills, or a lack of fluency that prevents full understanding.

Difficulty Retaining What They Read

If a child struggles to understand what they’re reading in the first place, it’s no surprise they can’t remember it later. They may decode the words but not grasp the meaning. What’s more, when reading is effortful (slow decoding, poor fluency), the brain spends so much energy on figuring out words that there’s little mental bandwidth left for retaining the information. (For more information on retention, check out our blog post on Helping Your Child Retain What They’ve Learned.)

Falling Behind Grade Level

Teachers may note in progress reports or conferences that your child is behind in reading. If their reading level isn’t keeping pace with their grade, early intervention is critical.

Difficulty Following Directions

Sometimes reading difficulties show up in unexpected ways. If your child struggles to follow written or verbal instructions, it could be due to poor reading comprehension or auditory processing challenges.

Diagnosed Learning Differences (like ADHD or Dyslexia)

Children with diagnosed learning challenges often benefit from structured, evidence-based reading intervention, especially if general classroom support isn’t meeting their needs.

Fit Learning St. Louis Has Reading Tutors Who Can Help

At Fit Learning, we do more than just tutor. Our science-based method uses precision teaching to build fluency in foundational reading skills such as phonics, decoding, comprehension, and more. (For more specifics on the Fit Learning method and curriculum, check out the Fit Reading webpage.)

We don’t just help kids catch up. Rather, we help them build the skills to thrive. By focusing on fluency and core skill mastery, Fit’s reading program boosts not only performance but confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love for reading.

Students average 1-2 years of academic growth in just 40–50 hours of instruction. That’s because our method is personalized, fast-paced, and designed to maximize engagement. We work with children of all ages, including those with IEPs or special learning needs, gifted learners, and kids who simply haven’t responded to traditional instruction. More information about our learning outcomes is available here.

Next Steps for St. Louis Parents Seeking a Reading Tutor

If you’re noticing any of the signs above, don’t wait. A reading assessment at Fit Learning St. Louis can pinpoint exactly where your child is struggling and how to help. Contact us today to get started.