For Parents

Parents play a crucial role in helping children develop early reading skills at home. Here are a few effective strategies that can support their reading journey. First and foremost, creating a literacy-rich environment by surrounding children with books, magazines, and other reading materials is essential.

I’m frequently asked what parents can do at home when they don’t have resources to seek an outside specialist or hire a tutor. For all parents, I have the same recommendations.

Parents can read aloud to their children regularly, discussing the story, characters, and plot, which not only helps improve vocabulary but also fosters a love for reading. Additionally, engaging in interactive activities such as playing word games, using flashcards, and participating in storytelling sessions can enhance phonemic awareness and build strong foundations for reading comprehension. Encouraging children to independently explore books tailored to their interests can also spark curiosity and encourage a lifelong habit of reading. By providing the necessary support and inspiration, parents can empower their children to become confident and proficient readers.

Workbooks & Programs for Extra Decoding or Reading Practice

I can’t tell you how many parents ask what program or workbooks they can purchase at home to support their child…I completely understand the underlying need and desire to improve reading skills. However, not all programs are created equally. I have a few recommendations below, but I do want to preface that these are not sources I use for working with private clients. These recommendations are in no way meant to take the place of one-on-one specialized support. They are recommended solely based on the ease of use for parents at home whom do not have the background and extensive training in reading development. Or the time! As a parent myself, I completely understand the need for an easy-to-implement resource!

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Here is a list of decoding workbooks/programs for early readers: (Please note that there is no one-size-fits-all reading program. What works for one child, may not work for yours.)

Learning Dynamics 4 Weeks to Read | Reading Program for 4 to 7 Years Old: This program is a parent friendly, easy-to-implement program with a teaching manual, over 50 books, and an activity workbook. Lessons are 15 minutes or less which make it a great program for working parents.

“Hooked On Phonics” The complete set: This program focuses on phonics skills necessary for decoding words, including letter recognition, letter sounds, and blending. The program has been controversial but is preferred by many parents supporting their children at home.

“Bob Books Set 1: Beginning Readers” by Bobby Lynn Maslen: This series is designed to help children learn how to decode words using simple phonics patterns. It offers gradually increasing difficulty to build reading confidence.

“Sight Words for Kindergarten” by Scholastic: This workbook introduces common sight words that children need to recognize effortlessly to improve decoding skills. It includes engaging activities and repetitive practice.

“Explode the Code” by Nancy Hall: This comprehensive series offers carefully sequenced, systematic phonics instruction for decoding words. It includes multiple levels, starting from basic phonics skills to more complex word patterns.

35 Lesson Plans – An Orton-Gillingham Reading & Spelling Program: The program begins at Level 1 where students learn to read and spell 1-syllable words with short vowels. Gradually, spelling rules, Sight Words and word families are introduced. 

Remember to choose workbooks that align with your child’s reading level and interests. Regular practice with these resources will help reinforce decoding skills and boost reading fluency.