My child can't read English fluently

Common reasons children struggle

1. They don't yet know all the letter sounds, so they guess.
2. They can't blend sounds into words quickly (c-a-t to cat).
3. The book is too hard, so reading feels like decoding every word.
4. They know few sight words like the, was and said.
5. They read silently and rarely aloud, so they get little practice.

10 ways to help at home

1. Check letter sounds: can your child say the sound (not the name) of every letter?
2. Practise blending with CVC words like cat, sun and pig.
3. Learn 5 sight words a week and spot them in books.
4. Choose books your child can read with no more than 1 tricky word in 10.
5. Read the same short book 3 days in a row; repeated reading builds speed.
6. Take turns: you read a page, your child reads a page.
7. Model expression: read a line with feeling and ask your child to copy it.
8. Let your child track words with a finger or a bookmark.
9. Praise effort and progress, not speed alone.
10. Make it cosy: a regular reading spot and time each day.

When to ask for a reading check

1. Your child still can't match most letters to sounds by the end of Grade 1.
2. Reading is much slower than classmates even after months of practice.
3. Your child often reverses letters well beyond age 7.
4. Reading makes your child very upset or they avoid it completely.
5. The class teacher raises a concern.

Why does my child read so slowly?

Usually because they are still working out letter sounds and blending, or the book is too hard. Easier books and daily phonics practice help most.

How can I improve my child's reading fluency at home?

Practise letter sounds and blending, learn sight words, and read easy books aloud daily, re-reading the same book a few times.

When should I worry about my child's reading?

If your child still struggles with letter sounds by the end of Grade 1, or reading stays much slower than classmates after months of practice, ask the school about a reading check.