Do literacy programs and interventions really matter?
A long-term national study of nearly 4,000 students provides some insights. The study found that students who don’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.
This revelation confirms what many educators already know to be true: Literacy in the early grades is foundational for future success. For many students, especially those facing economic hardship or learning challenges, the traditional school day may not provide enough time or targeted support to build strong reading skills.
That’s where a well-designed afterschool reading program can make all the difference.
A high-quality afterschool reading program for elementary schools gives students extra time to practice reading in a supportive, low-pressure setting. These programs offer more opportunities for personalized instruction, peer interaction, and engaging literacy activities. When thoughtfully structured, they can supplement the core school reading program and help spark a love for reading.
In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies, benefits, and creative afterschool reading program ideas that support elementary literacy growth. We’ll also share how pairing movement with reading can give students the boost they need to become confident, joyful readers.
Effective afterschool programs not only reinforce academic concepts taught during the school day, but also provide opportunities to address learning gaps, foster a love of reading, and involve parents.
During the school day, teachers work hard to cover a wide range of reading skills, from phonics and fluency to comprehension and vocabulary. But not all students master these skills at the same pace. Afterschool reading programs provide an extension of learning, giving children extra time to practice the day’s lessons.
One of the key benefits of afterschool programs is the ability to reinforce core academic content in a way that deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking. These programs help bridge the gap between exposure and mastery, especially for young learners.
A recent survey found that boys, in particular, get bedtime stories far less frequently than girls: Only 29% of boys ages 0–2 are read to daily, compared to 44% of girls.
Furthermore, research taken from 10,000 school districts showed that girls generally perform better than boys in reading, and children from affluent, highly-educated areas tend to perform better in both math and reading when compared to poorer, more diverse districts.
By offering targeted instruction, reading programs in elementary schools can provide much-needed interventions to close these learning gaps. In an afterschool setting, students get the added support they need to catch up and gain confidence.
One major advantage of afterschool tutoring programs is the smaller group size. With fewer students per instructor, there’s more opportunity to tailor activities, adjust pacing, and offer direct feedback.
This individualized approach allows educators to meet each child where they are, whether they need help breaking down words, building fluency, or developing more advanced comprehension strategies.
This kind of support isn’t always possible during a busy school day, making the afterschool window a powerful opportunity to focus on each reader’s unique path to growth.
At its best, a school reading program inspires students to want to read. Afterschool environments are often more relaxed and playful, making them an ideal setting for fostering a genuine love for books.
Creating a literacy-rich atmosphere with fun read-alouds, cozy reading corners, and student choice helps students associate reading with joy and curiosity, rather than just academic pressure. When reading is included in a child’s daily routine, it lays the foundation for a lifelong reading habit.
The best afterschool reading program ideas involve families, too. Some programs host family literacy nights, send home book bags, or invite parents to join reading sessions. These small actions can make a big difference.
Research shows that when families are engaged in their child’s reading journey, academic achievement improves. By giving parents tools and opportunities to participate, programs can build a strong home-school connection that supports students well beyond the afterschool hours.
A successful school reading program should be carefully designed to support every child’s journey toward becoming a confident, capable reader. Let’s take a closer look at what makes a reading program truly effective.
At the heart of every good school reading program is structured literacy instruction. Students need direct instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Each of these skills builds upon the others to support overall literacy development.
Students benefit most when these foundational skills are taught intentionally and in sequence, rather than assuming they’ll pick them up incidentally.
Related Reading: The Science of Reading: Making Curriculum Powerful
To keep students motivated and invested in reading, programs must go beyond worksheets and repetition. Effective school reading programs incorporate age-appropriate books, interactive games, and hands-on activities that make learning fun and relevant. When kids are excited about what they’re reading, they’re more likely to stick with it and experience growth.
Our K-2 and 3-5 Literacy Kits are designed with this in mind. These kits include vibrant floor mats, sight word games, movement-based activities, and grade-level-aligned content that gets kids up, moving, and excited about reading.
Use these popular mats in movement-based activities to teach phonemic awareness, word recognition, reading comprehension, and more!
Boost phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar, and fluency with movement-based activities using these mats!
Dedicated and qualified instructors are another important component. Whether the program is led by certified teachers, paraprofessionals, or trained volunteers, staff should be equipped with the tools and strategies to meet each student’s needs.
That’s why ongoing professional development is key. At Math & Movement, we offer virtual and in-person training workshops to help educators build confidence in delivering literacy instruction, especially when incorporating movement and play.
Knowing what’s working – and what’s not – is essential for growth. Regular assessment helps track a student’s progress, identify skill gaps, and adjust instruction accordingly. Examples include running records, fluency checks, and comprehension quizzes, each ensuring no child falls through the cracks.
These assessments don’t have to be time-consuming to be effective. Even brief weekly check-ins can provide valuable insight into how students are progressing and where additional support may be needed.
Reading success relies on a growth mindset. A child who believes they’re “not a good reader” may hesitate to even try. That’s why it’s crucial to create a warm, positive environment where students feel safe to take risks and celebrate small wins.
Consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement can boost both motivation and self-esteem in children. When students are praised for effort, growth, and persistence, they’re more likely to stay engaged and push through challenges.
Reading doesn’t need to be practiced while sitting still. Movement-based literacy activities can transform reading from a passive task into an engaging, full-body experience that boosts both focus and retention.
Below are some creative, research-informed ideas to bring your literacy sessions to life.
Interactive read-alouds are a staple of many school reading programs, but adding movement makes them even more impactful. Invite students to:
Vocabulary acquisition doesn’t have to feel like a quiz. Make it active with games like:
Using Math & Movement’s Spell-A-Word Hop, you can also integrate counting movements or syllable identification to combine literacy with math fluency.
Scavenger hunts are a student favorite, and they’re a fantastic way to practice comprehension skills. In this idea from Scholastic, students follow clues based on:
This activity will encourage movement, teamwork, and deeper engagement with reading material.
After reading a story, invite students to:
This supports sequencing, comprehension, and oral language skills, giving students a chance to step into the world of the text.
Instead of traditional Q&A, try physical demonstrations:
Sight word recognition is a foundational skill, made more fun with movement-based games:
Math & Movement’s Dolch Sight Word Hops and 100 Word Hops mats make these activities easy to implement and enjoyable on a large scale!
Movement isn’t just good for the body – it’s powerful for the brain, too. Physical activity boosts blood flow and oxygen levels, which can help improve attention, memory, and mood. For students who learn best through doing, movement can unlock deeper comprehension and lasting retention.
In a school reading program, movement can transform abstract concepts into concrete, memorable experiences. For example:
At Math & Movement, we believe that literacy and movement go hand-in-hand. Our mats and manipulatives are designed to build strong foundational skills while keeping kids excited and active. These multi-sensory approaches help bring language to life.
While movement-based literacy activities offer many benefits, we know that implementing them in real-world afterschool settings can come with some logistical hurdles. The good news? With a little creativity and planning, these challenges are easy to overcome.
Afterschool schedules are often short, but even 10–15 minutes of purposeful movement can make a big impact. Try:
You can also try our 30-Day Movement Challenge during your afterschool reading program. The downloadable guide below includes over 35 ideas for movement breaks that allow students to move around while practicing academic concepts. The activities range from 5 to 25 minutes in duration, so you can pick a literacy-themed movement that works for your schedule.
Try the 30-Day Movement Challenge
Ready to bring movement-based learning to your school? Enter your email to get our activity guide with over 35 educational movement break ideas! Plus, add a little competition between classrooms.
How many “movement minutes” can your school complete
in 30 days?
Building activity into short bursts throughout the program day keeps kids engaged without sacrificing instruction.
Related Reading: How to Create an Effective Afterschool Program Schedule
Not every program has access to a gym or large open space, but movement can still thrive:
Compact spaces can still be dynamic with the right tools and setup.
No two readers are alike. An effective school reading program should offer options that meet a variety of learning styles and needs. Try:
Differentiating doesn’t require a whole new lesson plan. It just means thinking flexibly about how students learn best.
Keeping students excited about reading can be a challenge, especially after a long day of school. To boost engagement:
Creating a fun, low-pressure reading experience is needed to build a lasting love of literacy.
An afterschool reading program is an investment in your students, your school community, and the future. These programs provide time, space, and support for building strong literacy foundations, especially for children who need extra encouragement and practice.
By integrating movement, we take that investment even further. Math & Movement’s approach transforms traditional literacy practice into an immersive, full-body experience that helps students thrive academically and emotionally.
Educators, parents, and program coordinators: Now is the time to rethink how we support literacy. With just a few creative tools and strategies, your afterschool reading program can come to life in new and powerful ways. Infusing movement into your literacy efforts can reignite a love of reading and learning for every child.
When kids move, they don’t just learn – they remember. Let’s give them the chance to read with confidence, move with joy, and carry those skills far beyond the classroom.
Students who aren’t proficient readers by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Afterschool reading programs give students extra time and targeted support to build foundational reading skills. They can close learning gaps, reinforce classroom instruction, and create positive, low-pressure experiences that foster a love of reading.
A good, effective reading program in elementary school includes:
Try supplementing your reading curriculum with literacy resources from Math & Movement. The program’s movement-based activities transform reading into a hands-on experience. Movement activates multiple parts of the brain, boosting attention, memory, and mood. Multisensory activities help students focus, retain information, and enjoy reading, especially kinesthetic learners who thrive when they can move while they learn.
Smaller group sizes mean more individualized support. Educators can target specific skill gaps, revisit foundational concepts, and adjust pacing. This focused instruction helps struggling readers catch up, build confidence, and experience meaningful progress that might not be possible during the regular school day.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Try the 30-Day Movement Challenge
Ready to bring movement-based learning to your school? Enter your email to get our activity guide with over 35 educational movement break ideas! Plus, add a little competition between classrooms.
Please leave your email and a quick note for us. We will get back to you soon! In the meantime, here are answers to some of our most common questions:
Enter your email to get our training manual with over 250 active math movements. No materials necessary!
We never share or sell your data.
