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How to teach a child to read at home

Practical first steps for supporting reading at home, from phonics and book choice to calm routines and when to ask school for help.

See the first steps

Editorial

  • Lead authorRobin GibbonsFounder & CEO·Latimer Tuition
  • Reviewed byHeather LatimerTutor Matching & Customer Service·Latimer Tuition
  • Published
  • Last reviewed

First steps for teaching reading at home

Use this as a first-week route you can adapt — not a rigid programme.

  • Ask school what sounds, books and prompts your child is currently using.

  • Practise for a short, calm stretch rather than pushing through frustration.

  • Use the school reading book or another right-level decodable book for practice.

  • Keep a separate book for shared reading and enjoyment.

  • Praise effort and strategy, not only speed or perfect reading.

  • If progress remains very difficult or upsetting, speak to the teacher or SENCO.

Practice book or sharing book?

Why one book may be for independent decoding practice and another for enjoyment, vocabulary and story talk.

Book typeWhat it is forParent roleCheck first

Practice book / school reading book

Helps your child practise sounds and words they have already been taught.

Let the child try first, support blending when they get stuck, and praise careful attempts.

It should not be far beyond their current phonics knowledge — guessing from pictures alone is a warning sign the book may be too hard.

Sharing book / read-aloud book

Builds story enjoyment, vocabulary, listening and conversation alongside decoding practice.

You can read most or all of it aloud and talk about pictures, characters and favourite parts.

Do not expect your child to decode every word independently — enjoyment is the point here.

Parent script

What to say when your child gets stuck

Situation

Your child freezes, guesses wildly or becomes frustrated on a word.

Try saying

“Let’s pause for a second. Can you try the first sound on this word?”

If they manage the first sound: “Great — now let’s blend it slowly with the next sounds.”

If blending collapses: “Let’s say the sounds together once, then you try.”

If they are still stuck: “I’ll tell you the word this time so we can keep the story going — we’ll come back to that sound another day.”

Then briefly return to meaning: “So do we know what is happening in the story now?”

Why it helps

Short, repeatable wording keeps reading kind and predictable so children are not left feeling every mistake is a test.

A calm 10-minute reading routine

A suggested rhythm many families find sustainable — adjust to your child and your evening.

  • Start with a quick reread or a favourite page.

  • Practise a few words or sounds from the school book.

  • Read a short section together.

  • Pause before frustration builds.

  • End with praise or a short shared story.

Support ladder

If your child is struggling with reading

Use this as a sensible order of support — not a diagnosis.

  • At home

    Keep short, school-aligned practice; use a right-level practice book; keep a separate sharing book; note what feels hard (sounds, remembering words, stamina, confidence) and whether your child is upset afterwards.

  • At school

    Speak to the class teacher if progress seems persistently difficult, distressing, or out of step with what school expects. Ask what they are seeing in class and what would help at home.

  • SENCO or specialist

    If concerns continue, ask whether the SENCO (or your nation’s equivalent learning-support route) should be involved. Dyslexia may be worth discussing as a possible concern — it is not something to label from a webpage.

  • Latimer tutor role

    A tutor may help with tailored practice and confidence, but should not replace school or SENCO support, and should not diagnose dyslexia.

  • When to escalate

    Escalate when reading is persistently very slow or hesitant, highly distressing, clearly below age expectations, or your child is avoiding reading because it feels unmanageable.

Good next-step routes for reading support

Practical routes to explore — not a ranked list of “best” products. None of these replaces school when a child is struggling persistently.

How we chose these
  • school-aligned
  • low-cost where possible
  • parent can act on it this week
  • supports confidence and enjoyment
  • not a substitute for school/SENCO support

Reviewed 2026-04-30

school-aligned route

Follow the school phonics sequence

Your child’s school

Best for: Parents who want home practice to match what is being taught in class.

Keeps home support aligned with the sounds, books and terminology your child hears every day at school.

Check first

Ask which phonics scheme, reading books and home prompts the class team recommend.

practice format

Use right-level decodable practice books

School or phonics scheme

Best for: Building confidence with sounds and words the child has already been taught.

Lets practice match known sounds rather than forcing guessing from books that are too hard.

Check first

Avoid using only books far above your child’s current phonics knowledge.

reading-for-pleasure format

Keep a separate sharing book

Parent, library or school

Best for: Preserving story, humour, vocabulary and motivation alongside decoding practice.

Your child can enjoy richer books with you without needing to decode every word alone.

Check first

Do not expect solo decoding of a book you chose purely for enjoyment.

resource

BookTrust book discovery

BookTrust

Best for: Finding age-appropriate book ideas without turning this page into an endless list.

Offers a trusted UK charity route into book ideas and early reading culture.

Check first

Explore current programmes and tools on BookTrust’s site — eligibility varies.

BookTrust

reading-for-fun route

Local library or Summer Reading Challenge

Local library / Summer Reading Challenge

Best for: Keeping reading tied to **choice**, **fun** and regular book access.

Supports low-pressure reading habits beyond school books.

Check first

Check local availability and seasonal dates for challenges near you.

Summer Reading Challenge — about

Helping your child read at home

Most children learn best when home practice matches what school is teaching, when practice is short and calm, and when there is still space for stories they love alongside the “school reading book.” This page is a practical route through those ideas for UK families — not a diagnosis tool and not a substitute for talking to your child’s teacher when something feels persistently wrong.

  • Follow the school route where you can.
  • Practise little and often rather than pushing through distress.
  • Separate decoding practice from shared reading for enjoyment.
  • Ask school for help if difficulty or upset is ongoing.

Keep reading enjoyable as well as accurate

Children are more likely to keep trying when reading still feels connected to fun, choice and stories. Rereading favourites is normal. Comics, picture books and read-aloud time all still count while decoding skills are catching up — they support vocabulary, talk about books and motivation, which sit alongside phonics in a balanced picture of early reading.

  • Let your child help choose some books.
  • Rereading favourites can build confidence.
  • Talk about pictures, characters and what might happen next.
  • Keep read-aloud time even while school books focus on practice.

When to ask for more help

If reading is persistently very slow, hesitant, distressing or well out of step with what school expects, treat that as a signal to talk to school rather than to push harder at home alone. The blocks below explain sensible next steps, including SENCO routes where concerns continue — without turning this page into a dyslexia or SEND guide.

NHS information on dyslexia in children

Related guidance

More guidance from this section

More guidance from this part of the Ed Centre that may help with the same decision, stage or next step.

Related guidance

Educational resources for parents

Choose a sensible starting point for reading, maths, homework, revision or home learning, and know when to ask school or seek more tailored support.

Related guidance

Dyslexia tutor guide for parents

How to decide whether tutoring is the right next step, what qualifications and safeguarding checks to ask about, and how to compare school, specialist, local and online support routes.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

What is the first thing to do when teaching a child to read?

Start by aligning with school: find out which sounds, books and language your child is using in class. Then use short, calm practice with a book at the right level, keep a separate sharing book for enjoyment, and speak to the teacher if progress stays very difficult or upsetting. The first-steps checklist on this page walks through that order.

Should I teach sounds or letter names first?

Many beginner phonics routes focus on letter sounds and blending first, but schemes and schools word things differently. The safest approach is to mirror your child’s school — ask what terminology they use so home practice matches class.

How long should reading practice take at home?

There is no single rule that fits every household. Short, focused sessions usually beat long battles: enough time to reread something familiar, practise a few sounds or words, then stop before frustration spikes. Quality and calm matter more than hitting a fixed number of minutes.

What should I do if my child refuses to read?

Try lowering pressure: offer a shared book you read together, give real choice between two options, shorten the session, and praise effort. If refusal is persistent or distressing, speak to school — it may be a sign the book is too hard, anxiety is high, or support needs adjusting.

Could my child be dyslexic?

This page cannot diagnose dyslexia. Persistent slow or hesitant reading, reading well below what school expects for age, or strong avoidance can be reasons to talk to the teacher and SENCO and to read trusted NHS and GOV.UK information — not to guess from a checklist online.

Do I need a tutor to teach my child to read?

Many children progress with school teaching plus supportive home practice. If reading stays very difficult or confidence is falling despite that, a tutor may help with tailored practice — but tutoring should sit alongside school, not replace the teacher, SENCO or any professional route your child needs.

Sources and references

Sources and references

Official guidance

Peer-reviewed research

Other sources