Learning to read is a big journey, and you’re right at the heart of it. Even ten minutes of reading together can make a real difference. It’s one of the greatest gifts you’ll ever give your child — a key that unlocks school success, confidence, and a lifetime of “just one more chapter” moments.
Reading isn’t just one skill. Children are learning to match sounds to letters, blend words, build vocabulary, follow a story, and (hopefully) discover that books are actually really fun. All of this takes time, patience, and plenty of practice at home as well as at school.
This guide walks you through simple, reassuring ways to support your child as they learn to read — mainly in the early years, with a few pointers for when they’re racing ahead too. You’ll learn:
In this guide, you’ll find:
- How to make reading sessions short, positive, and stress-free
- Simple ways to help with phonics and tricky words
- Ideas for keeping reluctant readers motivated
- How to use everyday life (and the odd cereal box) as reading practice
- Tips on choosing the right level of books
- How to work with teachers to support progress
- Easy ways to grow your child’s confidence and love of reading
Think of it as your friendly companion, not a rulebook. And remember: you don’t need to be a teacher… just someone who’s willing to celebrate the tiny wins.
Keep reading aloud to your child (from day one and beyond)
Please don’t pack away the bedtime stories just because your child is learning to read. Reading aloud — from babyhood right through the school years — does wonders for language development, vocabulary, imagination, and that cosy feeling children associate with books.
And here’s the good news: even when they’re reading confidently on their own, they still need (and secretly want) you to keep reading to them. Research backs this up too — reading aloud beyond age five helps boost listening skills, comprehension, and overall academic success.
So reassure your little one: learning to read won’t replace storytime. You’ll still curl up together with a book. Those shared moments are where a love of reading grows.
Read at the right time (short, positive sessions)
Try to pick a reading time when your child isn’t running on empty. Young children can go from “keen and focused” to “absolutely done” in about 30 seconds, and tired reading is rarely joyful reading.
You might find that a quick practice session after a snack or sometime in the morning works better than squeezing it in at the end of the day. Even ten calm minutes can be more effective than a long session when everyone’s flagging.
The trick is to keep reading time positive. Stop before they burn out. Leave them wanting more. That way, reading becomes a happy routine — not something to power through.
Make reading fun and interactive
Reading together shouldn’t feel like a test. Picture books and early readers are full of brilliant little details that invite conversation, so lean into that.
Chat about the pictures. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think is happening here?” or “What might happen next?” Let them take the lead with their ideas — even if they’re wildly imaginative (half the fun, honestly).
This kind of back-and-forth builds comprehension, confidence, and a sense that books are something to explore, not just decode. If you come across a new word, pause for a moment to talk about it. Keep it simple and connected to their world.
The more you turn reading into a shared adventure, the more they’ll want to do it again.
Help them sound out words (using phonics)
When your child meets a tricky word, guide them to “sound it out” rather than guess. Phonics is all about matching letters to the sounds they make and blending those sounds together.
So if they get stuck on shark, you might gently prompt: “Let’s try the sounds… sh – ar – k.” It won’t always be smooth, and that’s completely normal. Blending takes practice.
Give them time, celebrate the effort, and step in with the full word if their frustration starts creeping up. The goal is confidence, not perfection. Once they crack this sound-letter code, they’ll feel much braver about tackling new words on their own.
Tackle ‘tricky’ words together (sight words & irregular spellings)
Some words just don’t play by the phonics rules. Said, one, know — you can try sounding them out, but you’ll end up somewhere very strange. These “tricky words” pop up all the time, so children need to recognise them by sight.
When you meet one in a book, help your child spot the regular bits first, then talk through the “tricky” part. With said, for example, you might point out the s and d sounds as usual, then explain that ai is doing something a bit unexpected here.
Modelling this shows them that tricky words aren’t magic — they’re just… well, tricky. You can also practise them separately using flashcards or quick word games. Over time, these high-frequency words become instantly recognisable, and reading flows much more smoothly.
Be a reading role model
Children copy what they see, often with alarming accuracy (except, bizarrely, when it comes to putting shoes away). If you read, they’re far more likely to read.
Let them catch you with a book, an article, or an audiobook on the go. Share little snippets of what you’re enjoying. You could even set up a relaxed “family reading time” where everyone grabs something — yes, comics absolutely count.
When children see that reading is part of everyday life, not a chore reserved for homework, the message sinks in: reading is something people choose to do. And that’s when the real magic happens.
Use everyday print for learning (the world is a reading classroom)
Books are brilliant, but they’re not the only place words live. Signs, menus, cereal boxes, labels, tickets — print is everywhere, and children love spotting it.
Next time you’re out, turn it into a mini game: “Can you find the letter m?” or “What do you think that sign might say?” At home, simple labels (like door, chair, toy box) or a little alphabet chart can quietly reinforce what they’re learning.
You can stick magnetic letters on the fridge, display their writing, or let them point out words they recognise. All of these tiny moments build print awareness and confidence. Children start to understand that words have meaning everywhere — not just tucked inside a storybook.
Make the most of reading resources (books, libraries and notes)
Lots of early reader books include short notes for parents — usually tucked inside the front or back cover. They might highlight tricky words, phonics patterns, or key questions to ask. These are gold. They give you ready-made prompts and help reinforce what your child’s learning at school.
And don’t forget your library. Let your child choose books that spark their curiosity (dinosaurs, unicorns, slime… it’s all reading). Aim for a mix: books they can comfortably read to you, and richer texts you read aloud to them.
You don’t need to own mountains of books. Borrowing from school, the library, or friends keeps things fresh. And if your library has decodable books, definitely grab them — they match phonics stages beautifully.
Don’t push it – find the right level for success
The right book level makes reading feel possible. Too hard and they’ll quickly deflate; too easy and they won’t learn anything new.
A simple rule of thumb: if your child can read about nine out of ten words correctly, the book is probably a good fit for practice. Below that, things usually tip into frustration territory. You’ll notice they get stuck on individual words and lose track of the story.
It’s fine — brilliant, even — to have some “easy wins” too. Books they can breeze through build confidence and fluency. Save the slightly harder texts for reading together or for you to read aloud.
Every child moves at their own pace. Finding that sweet spot of “just right but still enjoyable” keeps reading fun, steady, and satisfying — exactly as it should be.
Do what works for your child (keep them motivated)
Every child is motivated by something slightly different, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Some children dive into books like they’ve been waiting their whole lives; others… well, let’s just say they need a little convincing.
If your child’s reluctant, try making reading feel shared rather than something they have to “perform.”
Take turns: you read a page, they read the next. Or let them read one character’s lines while you handle the rest of the story. Silly voices are always welcome (borderline required).
A little reward system can help too — a simple sticker chart or a “reading passport” can work wonders. Lots of children love seeing their progress. And don’t shy away from following their interests. If they’re obsessed with dinosaurs or football or space, lean into it. A child who grumbles at a school reader might happily devour a comic or a magazine about their favourite thing.
Most importantly, keep the atmosphere light. Celebrate the effort, not perfection: “I love how you tried that word!” If something’s not clicking, switch it up. Flexibility keeps them engaged — and makes reading feel like an adventure, not another task on the list.
Stay in touch with teachers (partner on your child’s progress)
Your child’s teacher is your reading teammate, so keep the lines of communication open. Teachers adjust reading levels carefully, but they also rely on what you’re seeing at home.
If the books coming back feel consistently too easy or too hard, just mention it. Children should move up when they’re ready, not just because they’ve ticked off a stack. And if the teacher suggests staying put for a bit longer, that’s usually based on solid observation — moving up too soon can knock a child’s confidence.
Make the most of your child’s reading record. A quick note like “struggled with th” or “read this one independently!” is incredibly helpful. It gives teachers insight into what’s happening beyond the classroom.
Reading is absolutely a team effort. Staying in touch means you can spot concerns early, celebrate progress together, and keep your child gently but steadily moving forward.
Enjoy the journey!
Learning to read is full of tiny triumphs and occasional wobbles — and that’s all part of it. One day your child zips through a whole story, the next day a single word feels like climbing a mountain.
Your encouragement is the constant that gets them through both.
Keep reading to them, keep things relaxed, and keep cheering them on. Every shared book, every moment you pause to help them decode a word, every “Listen to this!” from you shows them that reading is worth it.
With time, patient support, and lots of practice, your child will grow into a confident, joyful reader — one who sees books as something to love, not something to get through.
And that’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.