Questions parents ask
The We Love Phonics Blog
Straight answers to the questions parents type at bedtime: when to start, what a three-year-old can really learn, and what to do when reading feels stuck.
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6 min read
How to Teach a 3 Year Old to Read (and Whether You Should)
Can a 3 year old learn to read? What to teach at this age, what to skip, and five playful steps that build real reading skills without pressure.
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6 min read
How to Teach a 4 Year Old to Read at Home
A simple plan for teaching a 4 year old to read at home with phonics: which sounds to teach first, how to blend, first words to try and how long to practice.
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5 min read
How to Teach a 5 Year Old to Read and Write at Home
How to help a 5 year old read and write at home: phonics in the right order, spelling by sounds, first sentences and simple books, in ten minutes a day.
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5 min read
Phonics for Toddlers: What a 2 or 3 Year Old Can Really Learn
Is phonics for toddlers worth it? What 2 and 3 year olds can really learn about sounds and letters, plus simple sound games that build early reading skills.
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5 min read
At What Age Should a Child Start Reading?
When do children usually learn to read? The typical ages for each stage, from first sounds to reading fluently, and why a wide range is completely normal.
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5 min read
Reading Readiness Checklist: 10 Signs Your Child Is Ready to Read
How do you know your child is ready to learn to read? A 10-point reading readiness checklist for preschoolers, with an activity for every skill on the list.
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6 min read
Letter Recognition Activities for 2, 3 and 4 Year Olds
Twelve easy letter recognition activities for toddlers and preschoolers, using things you already have at home, plus how many letters to expect at each age.
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5 min read
How to Help Your Child Read Fluently (Without Pushing)
Your child can sound out words but reads slowly and choppily. Seven gentle, practical ways to help them read more smoothly, with expression and understanding.
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5 min read
Is My Child Behind in Reading? What to Look For and How to Help
Worried your child is falling behind in reading? How to tell normal variation from a real gap, what to check at home and when to talk to their teacher.
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5 min read
Is My Child Reading or Memorizing? How to Tell (and What to Do)
Your child “reads” a favorite book perfectly but stalls on new ones. How to tell real reading from memorizing, and how to build real reading skills.
Want the step-by-step version?
Our guides walk you through teaching phonics at home in order, from the first letter sounds to reading short books.