Raising Readers 101: What Actually Works

Raising Readers 101: What Actually Works

Literacy is one of the most important skills for our kids to develop, yet reading levels in the United States are declining. As an educator of nearly 15 years who designed reading interventions for high school students with significant reading gaps, I’ve seen firsthand how foundational literacy is to overall academic success. When I became a parent, I applied what I knew, without expensive programs or rigid routines, to raise confident readers.

When we think about literacy, there are two essential components: word recognition (the ability to read the words) and language comprehension (the ability to understand them). Both are necessary for true reading success. Word recognition includes phonological awareness (understanding sounds in language), decoding (sounding out words), and sight word recognition (instantly recognizing familiar words). Language comprehension is more complex—it involves vocabulary, background knowledge, sentence structure, and the ability to make meaning from text. You’re using all of these skills right now as you read this.

Much of the conversation around literacy focuses on word recognition, but language comprehension is just as critical, especially in the early years. Babies don’t need formal decoding instruction (although My Baby Can Read is pretty cool), but they do need rich language experiences. Talking, singing, and reading to your child builds the foundation for comprehension, and research shows these early interactions can have long-term impacts on reading ability and even later academic outcomes like ACT scores.

Here’s what I did at each stage to support my kids’ literacy development:

Infant – 1 year

From birth, I talked, sang, and read to my babies constantly. Even before they could speak, they were absorbing language. Responding to their sounds, narrating our day, and engaging in “conversation” helped build their understanding of how language works. Singing, especially rhyming songs, supported their ability to hear and differentiate sounds, which later strengthens phonological awareness. Reading together helped them connect words to images and begin forming a positive relationship with books.

Ages 2–3

At this stage, kids are soaking up the world around them. We focused on building vocabulary through everyday experiences, such as trips to the park, the zoo, the aquarium, and the library. I made a point to name what we saw, ask questions, and revisit those experiences through conversation. We also kept a steady rhythm of singing and daily reading, especially as part of our bedtime routine.

Ages 4–5

Around this age, some children begin showing readiness for decoding.When my kids were four, I introduced early reading skills using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We kept it light–15 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week. As they progressed, we transitioned to Bob Books, which gave them the excitement of reading “real” books. Just as importantly, we never forced it. If they weren’t into it that day, we stopped. Keeping reading positive made sure they wanted to keep practicing.

Ages 5–6

This stage is so fun! My younger child is working through Bob books, while my older one enjoys reading the Elephant and Piggie series. We also love creating our own books, by folding paper, drawing pictures, and writing simple sentences. They’re constantly noticing and asking about words in the world around them, applying their skills to real life.

Conclusion

Raising readers doesn’t require expensive programs, instead it’s about consistency, connection, and creating a language-rich environment. The small, everyday moments of talking to your child add up in powerful ways. Strong readers are built through joy, curiosity, and a love of reading.