“Where Do I Start Teaching My Child to Read?”

If you’ve ever sat beside your child and wondered where on earth to begin, you’re not alone. Learning to read is a complex process that can feel overwhelming — especially with so much conflicting advice out there. The good news is that reading doesn’t have to start with worksheets or expensive programs. It begins with simple, joyful experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and connection. When children feel supported and interested, they are already taking their first steps toward becoming lifelong readers.

Start with Modelling

When children see their parents showing a genuine interest in books and stories, they become curious too. Reading doesn’t just happen at school or during story time — it’s part of everyday life. You might read an information sign about a local animal on a bush walk, follow a recipe together, or notice the words on a billboard or T-shirt. These little moments show your child that reading has purpose and meaning beyond “schoolwork.”

No matter your child’s age, sharing how you read and why you read helps them see that reading is about understanding the world, not just decoding words. This kind of modelling builds motivation and sets a strong emotional foundation for learning — one rooted in connection, not pressure.

Start with Listening

Before children ever look at a letter, they need to hear how words are made up of smaller parts. This ability is called phonological and phonemic awareness, and it’s one of the strongest predictors of future reading success. Think of it as training the ear before training the eye.

Phonological awareness develops gradually — from big chunks of sound to the smallest parts:

Compound words – Words made up of two smaller words, like sunset or football.

💡 Try this: Say “football,” then ask, “Can you say football without foot?” (ball).

 Syllables – Every word has beats, or syllables, that we can clap or tap.

 💡 Try this: Clap the beats in “banana” (ba-na-na). Ask, “Can you tap out the syllables in jumping?” (two beats).

Onset and rime – The first sound (onset) and the rest of the word (rime).

💡 Try this: Say “cat.” Ask, “What sound do you hear first?” (/k/). “What’s left?” (at).

Individual sounds (phonemes) – The smallest sounds in words.

💡 Try this: “What sound can you hear at the start of mango?” (/m/). “Can you blend /s/ /u/ /n/ to make a word?” (sun).

Children usually move through these stages gradually. Building accuracy in one area before moving on helps make the next step easier. When children can confidently listen for and play with sounds, they’re ready to connect those sounds to letters — the start of phonics.

This is where a structured, synthetic phonics approach makes all the difference. Instead of introducing letters randomly, sounds are taught in a clear, cumulative sequence that follows how the brain learns to read — moving from sound to print, not the other way around.

Confidence Comes First

If a child feels pressure or frustration, learning can quickly become a battle. The activities above can easily be done in playful, informal settings — in the car, walking along the beach, or during quiet moments together. Keep them short and successful: five or ten minutes of fun is far more effective than an hour of struggle. Celebrate small wins (“You heard the first sound — well done!”) and end before attention fades. Confidence builds momentum, and momentum builds readers.

Keep Passion and Purpose

Reading isn’t just about decoding words — it’s about connection. Read aloud daily, even to older children. Choose books your child enjoys, whether that’s silly rhymes, nature stories, or travel journals from your adventures together. When reading feels personal and joyful, motivation grows naturally.

The First Step Is Simply Beginning

Every child’s reading journey is unique. Some take off quickly, others need a slower, gentler rhythm — and that’s okay. With consistency, encouragement, and the right starting point, your child can develop both skills and a love of learning that lasts.

If you’d like help understanding where your child is at or how to begin, I offer free 15-minute consultations for parents — it’s a great first step toward confident, joyful learning at home.