You do not need to be a reading specialist to support your child’s reading at home. A few simple, evidence-based activities can reinforce the skills that matter most. These are meant to supplement good instruction, not replace it — but they help, and they are easy to fit into a busy week.
1. Sound sorting
Gather small objects or pictures and have your child sort them by their beginning sound — everything that starts with the /m/ sound in one pile, /s/ in another. This builds the sound awareness that reading depends on.
2. Sound blending
Say a word slowly, one sound at a time — /c/ /a/ /t/ — and have your child blend it into “cat.” Then switch roles. Blending is the core skill behind sounding out words.
3. Word building with letter tiles
Use letter tiles or magnetic letters to build simple words, then change one letter at a time: cat to hat to hot to hop. This shows your child how sounds and letters map together.
4. Reading decodable text
Choose books that match the sounds your child has learned, so they can actually decode the words rather than guess. Success builds confidence, and confidence builds readers.
5. Sound-spelling practice
Say a simple word and have your child write it by stretching out the sounds and spelling each one. This connects reading and spelling, which strengthens both.
When home practice is not enough
If your child is working hard and still struggling, home activities may not be enough on their own — and that is not a failure on anyone’s part. A reading specialist can pinpoint the gap and build a plan around it.
North Star Tutoring provides structured early-literacy support around Gresham and East Portland, and online across Oregon, with Debbie Sexton, M.Ed., LETRS-trained and UFLI-qualified. Book a free consult or call (503) 809-4120.