Parent Guide

One of the most confusing things about teaching phonics is knowing what to teach, when. The sequence matters enormously — teaching long vowels before short vowels, or digraphs before blends, creates confusion. This roadmap follows the Science of Reading consensus. Work through skills in order, don’t skip ahead, and review constantly. Phase 0: Pre-Literacy Foundations (Ages 3–4) Enjoys being read to, asks for books Can retell a simple story in sequence Rhyme recognition: “cat” and “hat” rhyme Can supply a rhyming word Can clap syllables (but-ter-fly = 3 claps) Can identify first sound of familiar words Key activities: Rhyming games, syllable clapping, read-alouds. ...

One of the most common questions parents ask: “Is my child ready to learn to read?” The answer is more nuanced than most people expect — and more hopeful. Many children are ready earlier than their parents realize. A few aren’t ready as early as parents hope. And the signs of readiness are specific, observable, and actionable. The 10 Signs of Reading Readiness Sign 1: Your Child Can Rhyme What to look for: Can they tell you that “cat” and “hat” rhyme? Can they supply a rhyme when asked? ...

Teaching a child to read is one of the most impactful gifts you can give them. And you don’t need a teaching degree or an expensive curriculum — you need the right sequence, a few tools, and about 15 minutes a day. The Biggest Mistake Parents Make Most parents start with whole-word reading: they point to the word “cat” and say “that says cat.” Kids memorize it. Then the parent points to “can” and says “that says can.” The child memorizes that too. ...