My first grader is behind in reading. Her teacher shared that she is struggling to decode, how can I get her the help she needs to start the new school year?

Answer 1

If your first grader is struggling to decode, the good news is that with the right support, early readers can make tremendous progress—especially over the summer. Decoding means sounding out words using letter-sound knowledge, and that’s a skill that can absolutely be taught.

I use a structured literacy program that was designed for students with dyslexia but is highly effective for any child who needs reading support. It focuses on one spelling pattern at a time and includes all the key components needed for strong reading growth: oral language, alphabet knowledge, handwriting (in cursive, which has many cognitive and motor benefits), targeted reading and spelling practice, and language application.

This multisensory, Visual- Auditory- Kinesthetic (VAK) step-by-step approach strengthens phonemic awareness and phonics skills—the foundation of decoding. We work hands-on with sounds and letters, build words, and practice fluency with real reading, all in a way that builds confidence and success.

I’d be happy to partner with you and your child to get her off to a strong and confident start to the school year!

Answer 2

Thanks for your question—it's great that you're being proactive about your daughter's reading progress! Based on my experience as a Reading Interventionist and Tutoring Coordinator, here’s how you can support her as she starts the new school year:

1. Understand What Decoding Means

Decoding is the ability to sound out words using knowledge of letter-sound relationships. If your daughter is struggling with this, she may have difficulty recognizing patterns in words or applying phonics rules.

2. Get a Reading Assessment

Ask the school if a formal reading assessment can be done (if it hasn’t already). This will help identify her specific areas of need—whether it's phonemic awareness, phonics, or fluency.

3. Start Targeted Tutoring

Look for a tutor who specializes in early literacy and phonics-based instruction. A structured, evidence-based program like Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Fundations, or Heggerty can be very effective for decoding challenges.

Since I coordinate tutoring programs, I recommend:

1. Short, frequent sessions (20–30 minutes, 3–4 times a week)
2. Hands-on, multisensory activities (like tapping out sounds, using letter tiles, or writing in sand)
3. Progress monitoring to track growth and adjust instruction

4. Practice at Home

You can support her by:

1. Reading aloud together daily
2. Playing phonics games (like rhyming, blending, and segmenting sounds)
3. Using apps like Teach Your Monster to Read or Reading Raven

5. Stay in Communication with Her Teacher

Keep an open line with her classroom teacher and reading specialist. Ask for strategies you can reinforce at home and check in regularly on her progress.

Answer 3

The prior answers to this question are fantastic. One thing to bring extra attention to is finding connected text for your daughter. These will be short readings that are connected to a specific focus. For example if your daughter is struggling with blending st- we would find short words with the st- blend in the book so they can practice that skill. I would be happy to provide these resources during a lesson.

There is also a book I highly recommend for parents called Reading Magic by Mem Fox. In the book she highlights the importance of reading out loud to children and some of the best ways to do that. Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions!

Answer 4

As a teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience and a literacy specialist with advanced training in the Science of Reading, I understand how overwhelming it can feel when your child is behind in reading. The good news is, with the right support and consistent, research-based instruction, your child can catch up and build the confidence needed for success.

Here’s how I can help—and what you can do right now:

📚 How I Can Support Your Child

1. Assessments First: I provide individualized reading assessments to pinpoint exactly where your child is struggling—phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, or comprehension.
2. Data-Informed Plan: I use those results to design a targeted tutoring plan aligned with the Science of Reading—systematic, explicit phonics instruction alongside comprehension strategies.
3. 1:1 Tutoring: In weekly sessions, I work step-by-step with your child using proven multisensory methods (Orton-Gillingham, phoneme-grapheme mapping, and structured literacy).
4. Progress Monitoring: You’ll receive updates on growth and next steps, so every minute spent is intentional and effective.

🏠 What You Can Do at Home

1. Daily Reading Routine: Read aloud to her and also have her read to you for 10–15 minutes daily.
2. Play Word Games: Rhyming, syllable clapping, and sound matching games build essential phonemic skills.
3. Use Decodable Books: Stick to texts that match her phonics level—these are designed for early readers to build confidence.
4. Talk About Reading: Ask, “What happened in the story?” or “What do you think will happen next?” to encourage comprehension.

Let’s work together to give your child the tools she needs to grow into a strong, joyful reader. I’d be happy to schedule a reading assessment and get her started on the right path for this school year.

Answer 5

Great question! Decoding is the skill of sounding out words by connecting letters to their sounds. If your daughter is struggling with this, she likely needs some structured phonics support. Tutoring just 1–2 times a week can make a big difference—we’d focus on letter sounds, blending practice, and simple decodable books to build her confidence. For example, once she learns the short "a" sound, she can start reading words like "cat," "mat," and "sat" with ease. Early wins like that go a long way to help kids feel proud and excited to read!

Answer 6

My suggestion would be to go buy the book, "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" and work on it with her this summer. It helps parents teach phonics to their children in fifteen minutes a day. You can even buy it used on Thriftbooks!

I taught all of my children to read this way, including two that struggled with decoding and they are great readers now. I'm also happy to help you learn how to use the book or tutor your daughter in it. Hope this helps! Good job helping your daughter succeed!