If you're worried about your child's reading, the first thing to say is this: you're not alone, it's not too late, and there is a clear path forward. Reading is not something children simply absorb — it's taught, skill by skill. When a child struggles, it usually means a step in that sequence hasn't been secured yet. The good news is that gaps can be filled.
First, stay calm and curious
Children are quick to sense anxiety around reading, and pressure makes things worse. Approach it as detective work rather than a problem to fix urgently. What can they do? Where does it break down? That's information, not a verdict.
Look for where it breaks down
- Do they know the sounds each letter makes — not just letter names?
- Can they blend sounds together to read a simple word like 'mat'?
- Can they break a word into sounds to spell it?
- Do they get stuck on particular patterns — vowel teams, for example?
Often a child who seems 'behind' has a very specific gap — a set of vowel teams never fully taught, say — rather than a global problem. Finding that gap is more than half the battle.
Go back to the last secure step
Once you've found roughly where things wobble, go back to the last point the child is confident, and rebuild from there — systematically and without rushing. This is exactly why our packs are organised as a sequence: you can start at the right point rather than guessing.
See where your child fits in the sequence
Keep sessions short and positive
Five to ten focused minutes a day beats a long, tearful session once a week. Celebrate the wins. End before they're tired. Consistency is what builds reading, and consistency is only sustainable if it stays pleasant.
When to seek extra help
If you've worked patiently and a child still struggles well beyond their peers — particularly with the basics of matching sounds to letters — it's worth speaking to their teacher or a specialist about assessment for difficulties such as dyslexia. Structured literacy is exactly the approach recommended for these children, so the work you do at home supports that too.
This article is general guidance, not a substitute for a professional assessment. If you're concerned, your child's teacher is a good first port of call.
