Helping Your Child Become a Strong Reader: Tips & Activities for Parents
- Sarah Drewicz
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
It's a common misconception that children will naturally learn to read just by being read to. While reading to your child is incredibly important, many young learners need structured, explicit phonics instruction to develop strong reading skills.
What do strong young readers do that sets them up for success as they step into the magical world of reading?
Before they even start reading, they build their phonological awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken components of sentences and words. When they begin to read, it's normal for them to take their time and make mistakes—this is all part of the learning process!
1️⃣ Strong young readers have developed phonological awareness
Before children even start reading, you need to help them develop phonological awareness.
Why is phonological awareness so important?
Research shows that children with strong phonological skills are more likely to have better reading and spelling abilities. This is why focusing on these skills early can set your child up for long-term success.
Join my course for fun games that help build phonological skills.
2️⃣ Strong young readers, focus on the letters and take their time
Strong readers focus on decoding words first instead of guessing from pictures and take their time.
Tips to help your child:
Word Focus: Encourage your child to look at letters first, even with unfamiliar words.
Sound It Out: Help them decode instead of guessing.
Use Decodable Books: Choose books that match their reading level. Model or tell the word if needed.
Heart Words: Some words don't follow standard rules and need to be memorized.
3️⃣ Strong young readers make mistakes- and that's okay
Strong readers notice when something doesn't sound right and try again. But what if your child doesn't notice the mistake? Follow these steps to teach your child how to self-monitor.
⓵ Pause & let the child finish the sentence – sometimes kids catch mistakes on their own.
⓶ If they don't notice, prompt gently – "Hmm… something didn't make sense. Can you check that sentence again?
⓷ If promoting doesn't work, guide your child to the word – point to the word, have them sound it out, and blend.
⓸ If it's still tricky, pinpoint the error. For example, you said 'hat' for 'hit.' What sound does 'i' make?"
⓹ Reread the sentence – helps your child practice decoding and understanding.
Pro Tip: Celebrate every time they catch their own mistake, as it teaches them it's essential to pay attention to the words when you are reading.
✅ Takeaway
If you want your child to be a strong young reader, make sure you help develop their phonological awareness and teach them to take their time and self-monitor.
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