Your Cart is Empty
test
Many parents feel unsure about how to teach reading at home –especially if phonics wasn’t part of their own schooling. The good news is that you do not need specialist training to support your child’s early reading. With a structured phonics approach and the right decodable readers, learning to read at home can be simple, consistent and effective.
A structured program such as the Fitzroy Program provides a clear sequence for learning to read. It shows parents what skills to teach and in what order, making it easier to support reading development with confidence.
Start with sounds, not guessing
One of the most important foundations of early reading is phonemic awareness –the ability to hear and work with the individual sounds in words.
When teaching reading at home, encourage your child to decode rather than guess:
This phonics-based approach helps children understand how reading works. Rather than relying on memorisation, pictures or guessing, they learn to use their knowledge of sounds to decode new words independently.
Use decodable readers for phonics practice
Not all early reading books support the development of decoding skills equally. Some encourage children to guess unfamiliar words from pictures or context.
Decodable readers are different. They are designed so children can read most of the words using the sounds they have already learned.
The Fitzroy Readers follow a carefully structured phonics progression. Each story introduces new sounds gradually, together with a controlled number of “special words”. This allows children to practise their developing skills while experiencing the satisfaction of reading real stories for themselves.
Successful reading experiences can help build:
These are important foundations for developing reading fluency.
Reread books to build fluency
Repetition is an important part of learning to read. Encourage your child to reread familiar decodable readers.
The first reading may focus mainly on working out the words. With repeated readings, children can become more:
As decoding becomes easier, children have more attention available for understanding and enjoying what they read.
Keep reading practice short and consistent
Teaching reading at home does not require long lessons. For young children, short, regular practice is often easier to manage.
A simple routine might include:
Consistency is more important than the length of any individual session.
Support comprehension through conversation
Reading is about more than decoding words. Children also need to understand what they are reading.
After reading, talk about the story. You might ask:
These simple conversations help develop vocabulary, oral language and reading comprehension.
Know where to begin
Starting at the right level is important. If reading material is too difficult, children may become frustrated or start guessing. If it is too easy, they may not get enough opportunity to develop new skills.
A placement guide such as Where to Start can help identify an appropriate entry point, so children can begin reading at a level that matches their current phonics knowledge.
A simple way to teach reading at home
Effective early reading instruction is built around a few key principles:
With these elements in place, parents can confidently support their child’s early reading –even without teaching experience.
To see how a structured phonics sequence progresses from first sounds to fluent reading, explore the Fitzroy Readers program and resources.
Common Questions About Teaching Reading at Home
Can I teach my child to read at home if I’m not a teacher?
Yes. Parents do not need to be trained teachers to support their child’s early reading. A structured phonics program provides a clear sequence, while regular practice helps children build their skills and confidence.
What is the best way to teach a child to read at home?
A systematic phonics approach provides a strong foundation. Children learn the sounds represented by letters and letter combinations, practise blending them into words, and then apply their skills by reading decodable books.
What are decodable readers?
Decodable readers are books written so that children can read most of the words using the phonics skills they have already been taught. They allow children to practise decoding rather than relying on pictures, context or guessing.
Related Articles
How to Say Letter Sounds Clearly When Teaching Phonics – particularly useful for parents who are unsure how sounds should be pronounced.
What Is Systematic Synthetic Phonics (and Why Does It Work So Well?)
A simple explanation of systematic synthetic phonics and why a structured approach works well for beginning readers.
How to Help Your Child Develop a Love of Reading and Writing
Practical ideas for helping children develop a positive and lasting relationship with reading and writing.
Discover practical, evidence-based ways to help children develop a lifelong love of reading and writing at home or in the classroom.
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.
