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Few things are more discouraging for a child than feeling left behind when learning to read. Reading is the gateway to almost every area of learning, so when a student struggles, it can affect not only their academic progress but also their confidence and enjoyment of education.
The good news is that reading difficulties are often highly responsive to effective teaching. With the right support, most learners can make significant progress and develop into confident readers.
Start by Focusing on Decoding
Reading begins with decoding — the ability to look at a word, recognise the letters and spelling patterns, and blend the sounds together to work out the word.
When children struggle with reading, it is often because they have not yet developed secure knowledge of the relationships between letters and sounds. Rather than relying on guessing from pictures, context, or the first letter of a word, students need opportunities to practise accurate decoding.
Evidence-based literacy instruction recommends explicit, systematic phonics teaching, where letter-sound relationships and spelling patterns are taught in a planned sequence and practised regularly.
Build Skills Step by Step
One of the most common reasons children become overwhelmed is that they are asked to read texts containing spelling patterns and words they have not yet been taught.
Successful reading instruction introduces new knowledge gradually. Children learn a small number of letter-sound correspondences, practise them thoroughly, and then build on this foundation over time.
A carefully structured sequence helps students experience success early and often. Each new skill becomes a stepping stone to the next.
Practise with Decodable Readers
Once children have been taught a spelling pattern, they need opportunities to apply it in connected text.
Decodable readers are specifically designed for this purpose. They contain words that can be read using the letter-sound relationships and spelling patterns students have already learned.
This allows children to experience genuine reading success through decoding rather than memorisation or guessing.
The Fitzroy Readers follow a carefully graduated sequence, introducing new spelling patterns progressively while reinforcing previously learned knowledge. This helps students develop accuracy, fluency and confidence as they move through the program.
Don't Forget High-Frequency and Irregular Words
English contains some commonly used words that do not fully follow regular spelling patterns, such as was, of and said.
These high-frequency irregular words are important because they appear often in children's reading. However, they should be introduced systematically and in manageable quantities rather than presented as long lists to memorise.
When taught alongside regular phonics instruction, children can gradually build a bank of familiar irregular words while continuing to strengthen their decoding skills.
Read Aloud Every Day
Even when a child is struggling to read independently, it is important that they continue to experience rich and enjoyable language.
Reading aloud exposes children to vocabulary, ideas, sentence structures and stories that may be well beyond their current reading level. It helps develop language comprehension and reminds children that reading is ultimately about meaning, imagination and enjoyment.
A child's listening comprehension is often far more advanced than their decoding ability, so being read to remains valuable throughout the primary years.
Celebrate Progress
Learning to read is a journey, and progress is not always perfectly smooth. Some children move quickly, while others require more repetition and practice.
Celebrate small wins:
These moments help build confidence and motivation, both of which are important ingredients in long-term success.
When Additional Support May Be Helpful
If a child continues to struggle despite regular instruction and practice, additional support from a teacher, tutor or literacy specialist may be beneficial.
The earlier difficulties are identified and addressed, the easier they are to overcome. Early intervention can prevent small gaps from becoming larger barriers to learning.
Building Confident Readers
Children who struggle with reading do not need more guessing strategies or more complicated books. They need clear instruction, structured practice and opportunities to experience success.
When reading is taught systematically, using explicit phonics instruction, carefully sequenced learning and appropriate reading material, children can develop the skills and confidence they need to become capable, independent readers.
Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the satisfaction of picking up a book and knowing they can read it.
Interested in learning more?
If you are looking for a structured, evidence-based literacy program, you may wish to explore the Fitzroy Readers, Word Skills workbooks, and associated phonics products. Together, they provide a carefully sequenced pathway from early decoding through to confident reading, spelling, comprehension and writing.
Related reading: evidence-based phonics and reading support
What Is Systematic Synthetic Phonics (and Why It Works So Well?)
Why Clear Letter Sounds Matter: The Foundation of Reading Success
Integrated Phonics Workbooks: Why They Are Essential in a Complete Phonics Program
Received your child’s NAPLAN results? Learn how to support reading, spelling, writing, comprehension and numeracy skills with evidence-based strategies and practical tips.
What to consider when choosing a literacy program to use at home.
When should you start teaching your child to read?
The answer may be simpler than you think.
Every child develops at their own pace. Rather than worrying about the "right" age to start reading, focus on building strong foundations through talking, playing, singing and sharing books together. When your child is ready, phonics can provide a gentle and effective pathway into reading.
Learn about the signs of reading readiness and share gentle, and evidence-based ways to support your child's literacy journey—without pressure.
