🛑 Don’t help them…let them try first!

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned while helping young children learn to read is the power of patience. When children are given the chance to try reading on their own first, without immediate help, it nurtures their confidence and independence. Instead of focusing on memorizing whole words, it’s much more effective to encourage kids to sound out letters and blend those sounds together. This process aligns with what is known as the Science of Reading, a research-backed approach emphasizing phonics and decoding skills. In my experience, a child’s ability to read simple words like "sun," "pig," and "map" can be a strong indicator of their phonics proficiency. If these seem challenging, it’s not a sign to increase screen time but an opportunity to provide targeted phonics practice. Using tools like My First Phonics Workbook can make this practice enjoyable and confidence-building. The workbook includes activities designed to let children engage actively with letter sounds and early reading skills. Another tip I’ve found helpful is to create a supportive environment where the child feels safe to make mistakes. Celebrating their efforts to decode new words helps them associate reading with a positive experience. This approach also supports homeschoolers and those integrating reading practice during summer learning periods. By focusing on letter sounds, blending, and small reading challenges, children develop a solid foundation before kindergarten. Encouraging children to pause, think through sounds, and try reading words themselves develops a crucial skill set that leads to greater reading success down the road. Commenting and sharing progress with others can further motivate both parents and children. Ultimately, let them try first—this small step can make a big difference in nurturing early reading skills.