How to raise a reader

14 Aug 2025

Small daily reading habits at home, shared, joyful, and age-appropriate, help every child grow into a confident, curious reader.

Reading starts with connection. When children see books as cosy, fun, and part of everyday life, skills follow. Here’s a simple guide to encourage confident readers for each stage of primary school.

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

Reading is a cuddle and a chat. Picture books, songs, and play build sound awareness and a love of stories. Short, happy sessions beat long ones. It’s fine to read the same book again (and again!).

Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

Children are cracking the code. Confidence grows when reading feels safe and successful. Mix easy wins with gentle stretch.

Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

Vocabulary and stamina take off now. Choice matters. So does seeing you enjoy reading too.

Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6)

Older readers want voice and relevance - who’s telling the story and does it matter to them personally. Discussion, challenge, and community keep readers engaged.

The takeaway

Remember, you are your child's biggest champion. With patience, encouragement, and the right support, you can help them develop the skills and confidence to become a happy and successful reader.

Keep it light, keep it daily, and keep it yours. A few calm minutes with a book each day is the strongest path to a lifelong reader.

Spotting reading difficulties and finding support

It's natural for children to learn at their own pace, but sometimes, a child might need a little extra help with their reading. Identifying potential challenges early on can make a huge difference in their learning journey.

What to look for

Here are a few signs that your child might be finding reading a bit tricky:

• Trouble with sounds: They might have difficulty recognising rhyming words or breaking words down into individual sounds (e.g., knowing that "cat" is made up of c-a-t).
• Letter confusion: They may frequently mix up letters that look similar, like 'b' and 'd', or write them the wrong way around.
• Slow or hesitant reading: Reading might seem like a big effort for them, and they may read word-by-word instead of in a flowing way.
• Guessing at words: Instead of sounding out a new word, they might guess based on the first letter or the pictures on the page.
• Avoiding reading: They may seem uninterested in books or become frustrated when it's time to read.

If you notice any of these signs, the first step is to have a chat with your child's teacher. They can provide insight into what they're seeing in the classroom and suggest strategies to try at home.

How you can help at home

Your encouragement and support are powerful. Here are a few simple things you can do:

• Read together every day: Make reading a fun, relaxed time. Let your child choose the books, and don't be afraid to be silly with different voices for the characters!
• Play with sounds: Sing nursery rhymes, make up your own rhyming games, and clap out the syllables in words.
• Focus on effort, not just results: Praise your child for their hard work and perseverance, rather than just for getting words right.
• Talk about what you're reading: Ask questions about the story and the characters to help build their understanding.

Resources that can help

There is a wonderful community of support available for families in NSW. Here are a few places to start:

• Our school: Your child's teacher and the school's learning support team are your first port of call. They can work with you to create a plan to support your child's learning.
• SPELD NSW: This is a fantastic organisation that provides support, resources, and workshops for families and teachers of children with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia. You can find them online at speldnsw.org.au or call their InfoLine on (02) 9739 6277.
• Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA): LDA is another excellent resource, offering information and support for parents and educators. You can find them at ldaustralia.org.
• Australian Dyslexia Association: For specific information and support related to dyslexia, the Australian Dyslexia Association is a great resource. You can find them online at dyslexia.org.au.