The start of a new school year is full of fresh notebooks and good intentions. It's also one of the best moments to take a calm, clear-eyed look at how your child is doing with reading, before the year gets busy and the worries pile up. A little attention now can save a lot of stress later.

I'm Debbie, and after 25-plus years helping families with reading, I've put together a back-to-school reading checklist that any parent can use. None of this requires special training. It's just a friendly framework for starting the year on solid footing.

Take Stock of Where Your Child Is

Before the school routine swallows everything, spend a little time noticing where your child actually is with reading. You don't need a test. Just listen and observe.

Sit with your child and have them read aloud from a book at their level
Notice whether it's smooth or choppy, accurate or full of guesses
Ask a couple of questions to see if they understood it
Pay attention to attitude, do they reach for books or avoid them?
Think back to last year, did the teacher mention any reading concerns?

This isn't about catching problems to worry over. It's about knowing your starting point so you can tell, later in the year, whether things are moving in the right direction.

Set Up Your Home for Reading

Children read more when reading is easy to do and woven into the day. A few simple setups make a real difference.

Keep books your child can actually read within easy reach, in the car, by the bed, in a basket in the living room
Build in a regular reading time, even 10 to 15 minutes counts
Keep reading aloud to your child, even if they can read alone now
Let your child see you reading; modeling matters more than we think
Get library cards refreshed and make a first-week-of-school library trip a tradition

The goal isn't to turn your home into a classroom. It's to make reading a normal, pleasant part of family life so it doesn't feel like a chore.

Partner With the Teacher Early

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to open a friendly line of communication with your child's teacher, before any small concern has a chance to grow.

Share anything you noticed over the summer, including any reading slide
Ask how the school teaches reading and how they monitor progress
Mention any history, like a past evaluation, an IEP or 504 plan, or tutoring
Ask the teacher to let you know early if reading concerns come up
Agree on a simple way to stay in touch through the year

Teachers genuinely appreciate engaged parents. Starting as partners, rather than waiting for a problem, sets a positive tone for the whole year.

Watch for Signs Your Child Needs More Support

As the first weeks unfold, keep a gentle eye out for signals that your child might be struggling more than is typical for their grade. Some things worth noticing:

Reading is still slow and effortful well into the year
Your child dreads reading, makes excuses, or melts down over it
They guess at words from the picture or first letter rather than sounding them out
Spelling is unusually hard, even for words they've practiced
A noticeable gap between how bright your child seems and how reading is going

One or two of these in the first wobbly weeks isn't cause for alarm. But a cluster of them that continues is worth taking seriously. Trust your gut, you know your child better than anyone.

Keep It Positive and Low-Pressure

Finally, a reminder that the tone you set matters as much as any activity. Reading should feel safe, not stressful.

Praise effort and progress, not just correctness
Don't compare your child to siblings or classmates
Keep practice short and end on a good note
Let your child pick books they love, even if they seem "easy"
Remember that a calm, encouraging parent is a huge advantage

A new school year is a fresh start, full of possibility. With this back-to-school reading checklist in hand, you can walk into it feeling prepared rather than anxious. And if your check-in raises concerns, please know that catching things early is a gift to your child. As a LETRS- and UFLI-trained reading specialist, I'm always glad to help families sort out what they're seeing and figure out the next right step.

Ready to help your child become a confident reader? I offer one-on-one reading tutoring — including dyslexia tutoring and early-literacy support for grades K–3 — in person around Gresham and Portland or online across Oregon. As a LETRS-trained reading specialist, I’d love to help. Call or text (503) 809-4120 for a free consultation.