Reading is more than a school skill. It is the foundation of learning, communication, and self-confidence. When a child reads confidently, they do not just perform better academically — they believe in their own ability to learn.
Yet for many children, reading becomes a source of stress rather than enjoyment. They hesitate to read aloud, avoid books, and slowly begin to associate learning with failure. This lack of confidence often has nothing to do with intelligence. Instead, it is linked to how reading is taught, supported, and practised.
In recent years, online tutoring has emerged as a powerful solution to this challenge. Platforms like Read With Us focus on personalised, supportive, one-to-one reading sessions that rebuild confidence step by step.
This article explores how online tutoring improves reading confidence in children, why it works so effectively, and how parents can use it to support long-term literacy success.
Reading confidence is a child’s belief that they can read successfully. It affects:
willingness to read aloud
ability to attempt unfamiliar words
persistence when facing difficulty
overall enjoyment of reading
A confident reader may still make mistakes, but they are not afraid of them. An unconfident reader often knows the words but fears getting them wrong.
Children lose reading confidence for several reasons:
repeated failure or correction in front of peers
learning at a pace that does not suit them
lack of individual attention
pressure to "keep up” with others
negative classroom experiences
Once confidence drops, progress slows — creating a cycle that is difficult to break without targeted support.
Classroom teachers work incredibly hard, but they face real constraints:
large class sizes
limited time for individual reading
mixed ability groups
curriculum pressure
A child who struggles quietly may receive very little personalised reading time. Over time, gaps widen and confidence fades.
This is not a failure of schools — it is a structural limitation.
Online tutoring changes the reading experience in fundamental ways.
In online tutoring, the child is the focus. There is no audience, no comparison, and no pressure to perform.
This safe environment allows children to:
read at their own pace
make mistakes without embarrassment
ask questions freely
Confidence grows when fear is removed.
Every child learns differently. Online tutors adapt:
reading materials
pace of sessions
teaching strategies
feedback style
Instead of being told what they should know, children experience success at their level — which rebuilds belief in their ability.
Confidence is built through consistent positive reinforcement, not one-off praise.
Online tutors:
celebrate small improvements
focus on progress, not comparison
encourage effort rather than perfection
Over time, children begin to internalise success.
Research shows that confidence often improves before reading accuracy. When children feel safe:
they attempt harder words
they read more often
they engage more deeply
Online tutoring supports this psychological shift by prioritising encouragement alongside skill development.
Anxious children use mental energy worrying about mistakes instead of decoding words. One-to-one online tutoring reduces anxiety, freeing cognitive space for learning.
Online tutors identify specific gaps such as:
phonics
decoding
comprehension
fluency
vocabulary
Addressing root issues prevents repeated failure — the main cause of low confidence.
Instead of public correction, feedback is:
private
supportive
instructional
This prevents embarrassment and builds trust.
Online tutoring platforms use:
digital texts
highlighting tools
shared screens
annotation
These tools make reading feel engaging rather than intimidating.
Learning from home reduces stress. Children feel relaxed, comfortable, and more willing to participate.
Parents often report improvements within weeks:
children volunteering to read
reduced homework anxiety
increased independence
positive attitude towards books
Confidence transfers beyond sessions into everyday learning.
At Read With Us, reading is treated as a relationship, not a test.
Key principles include:
consistent tutor-student pairing
personalised reading plans
supportive communication
confidence-first approach
Sessions are designed to ensure children leave feeling successful — every time.
Confident readers:
perform better across subjects
communicate more clearly
develop critical thinking
enjoy learning
Reading confidence supports academic success far beyond English lessons.
Yes. With the right tutor and structure, young learners thrive in one-to-one online environments.
Online tutoring often helps shy children more than classroom support because pressure is reduced.
Consistency matters more than length. Even short, regular sessions build confidence.
Online tutoring is especially helpful if your child:
avoids reading
lacks confidence reading aloud
is falling behind peers
feels anxious about schoolwork
Early support prevents long-term struggles.
Reading confidence is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Without it, even capable children struggle unnecessarily.
Online tutoring offers a powerful, personalised, and emotionally supportive way to rebuild confidence and unlock a child’s true potential.
Platforms like Read With Us prove that when children feel safe, supported, and understood, reading becomes something they can do — and eventually, something they love.
When a child gains reading confidence, the change is rarely limited to reading alone. Parents and teachers often notice a shift across many areas of learning and behaviour. Children who once avoided books begin to engage more actively in lessons, contribute to discussions, and show curiosity beyond the classroom.
Online tutoring provides a structured yet flexible environment where this transformation can take place gradually and naturally. Because sessions are personalised, children experience repeated success, which reshapes how they see themselves as learners.
Confidence turns reading from a task into a skill — and from a skill into a strength.
At this stage, reading confidence is closely linked to enjoyment. Children who feel pressured too early often disengage.
Online tutoring helps by:
using phonics-based approaches suited to the child’s pace
introducing reading as play, not performance
reinforcing sounds and blending gently
building confidence before accuracy
Children learn that reading is safe, achievable, and enjoyable.
This is a critical period where gaps often widen. Children may read accurately but lack confidence, or understand texts but read hesitantly.
Online tutoring supports:
fluency development
comprehension strategies
vocabulary expansion
reading aloud with confidence
One-to-one attention prevents children from falling into the "quiet struggler” category.
At secondary level, reading confidence directly affects academic performance across all subjects. Students are expected to:
read complex texts
interpret exam questions
analyse information independently
Online tutoring helps students:
regain confidence after setbacks
improve subject-specific reading
approach texts strategically
prepare for GCSE-level demands
For older students, confidence often leads to renewed motivation.
Strong readers perform better in:
English
science
humanities
mathematics (word problems)
When children understand questions clearly, they answer more accurately. Online tutoring strengthens this foundational skill, improving outcomes across the curriculum.
Confidence allows students to attempt questions rather than avoid them.
One of the most powerful aspects of online tutoring is consistency. When a child works with the same tutor regularly:
trust develops
anxiety reduces
progress becomes visible
Trust is the gateway to confidence.
Effective tutors focus on:
effort, not perfection
progress, not comparison
encouragement, not correction
This changes how children speak about themselves as learners.
For reading confidence, online tutoring often works better because:
pressure is reduced
distractions are limited
sessions are personalised
Effectiveness depends on approach, not location.
Online tutors complement school teaching. They provide the individual attention that classrooms cannot always offer.
When used correctly, technology enhances engagement. Interactive tools make reading dynamic rather than passive.
Confidence is not always reflected immediately in grades, but signs of progress include:
willingness to read aloud
asking questions independently
attempting unfamiliar texts
improved focus
Online tutors track both emotional and academic development.
Online tutoring is most effective when reinforced at home.
Parents can:
praise effort, not speed
allow children to choose books
read together regularly
avoid correcting every mistake
Confidence grows when reading is pressure-free.
No two children struggle with reading in the same way. Online tutoring adapts to:
learning style
confidence level
interests
pace
Personalisation ensures progress without frustration.
Regular sessions create rhythm. Children know what to expect, which reduces anxiety and builds comfort.
Consistency is more important than session length.
Children who develop strong reading confidence:
enjoy learning
persist through challenges
communicate effectively
succeed academically
Confidence becomes a lifelong skill.
Modern children are comfortable with digital environments. Online tutoring meets them where they are — familiar, flexible, and engaging.
Learning feels relevant rather than forced.
Parents should look for tutors who:
prioritise confidence
understand child psychology
personalise learning
communicate clearly
Platforms like Read With Us focus on building relationships, not just delivering lessons.
Read With Us is built around:
one-to-one personalised sessions
experienced, supportive tutors
structured yet flexible learning
confidence-first philosophy
The goal is not just to improve reading, but to change how children feel about reading.
Reading confidence unlocks learning. When children believe they can read, they participate more, try harder, and grow faster.
Online tutoring provides the safe, personalised environment needed to rebuild that belief.
With the right support, every child can become a confident reader.
If your child struggles with reading confidence, personalised online tutoring can make a lasting difference. Read With Us offers supportive, one-to-one reading sessions designed to build confidence, skill, and enjoyment.
👉 Visit ReadWithUs.org.uk to learn more and begin your child’s reading journey today.
