3 Mistakes Parents Make When Reading with Their Kids (and What to Do Instead!)

Reading with your child should be a positive and confidence-boosting experience, but if your child struggles with reading - whether due to dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or another special educational need - it can quickly become frustrating for both of you. As a parent, you naturally want to help, but sometimes the way we approach reading can unintentionally make things harder.

🛎️ Here are three common mistakes parents make when reading with their children:

1. Not setting them up for success.

2. Saying things like "Come on, you know this word!"

3. Jumping in too soon when they're sounding out a word.

↘️ Read on to find out what to do instead!

1. Not Setting Them Up for Success

Imagine being handed a page full of words you’ve never seen before and being expected to read it fluently - without any preparation. That’s exactly what it can feel like for a struggling reader when they encounter a book filled with words they haven’t learned yet.

A common mistake is choosing books that contain too many non-decodable sight words (words that can’t be easily sounded out using phonics, like school, friend, or once) without introducing them first. If a child doesn’t know these words, they’ll either guess, get stuck, or become frustrated and exhausted.

💡 What to do instead: Before reading, take a moment to scan the book for tricky words. Teach them in advance, using the Picturing Method. This small step makes a huge difference - it builds confidence, reduces frustration, and makes reading a more positive experience. Over time, as their skills and self-belief grow, you won’t need to do this step as often!

2. Saying Things Like "Come on, you know this word!"

It’s easy to get frustrated when your child stumbles over a word you know they’ve seen before. But even short words like to or my can be tricky for struggling readers. When we say things like "You know this word!" or "This one’s easy!" - especially in an exasperated tone - it can make them feel embarrassed, anxious, or defeated. And when confidence drops, motivation follows.

💡 What to do instead: Instead of focusing on what they should know, offer encouragement. If they’re stuck, gently guide them: "What sound does this letter make?" or "This is a sight word, do you recognise it?" A little patience and positive reinforcement can go a long way in building reading confidence.

3. Jumping In Too Soon When They’re Sounding Out a Word

When your child is painstakingly sounding out a word one letter at a time, it can feel like an eternity. It’s tempting to just say the word for them - but this actually prevents learning. If they don’t have the chance to struggle a little and figure it out, they won’t remember the word the next time they see it.

💡 What to do instead: Give them space to process. If they’ve been trying for about 10 seconds and still can’t blend the word, repeat the sounds they’ve decoded and model how to blend them together. Then, let them try again. This method helps build reading independence - one of the most valuable skills they can develop.

A Better Way to Support Struggling Readers

If your child finds reading challenging, you’re not alone! That’s why I created the Picture Progress Workbooks - a structured, evidence-based approach to building reading confidence at home. Designed for parents (even if you’re new to phonics!), the Starter Bundle includes 60 lessons, covering 45 key sounds and 30 essential sight words - all introduced in a way that prevents frustration and boosts success.

📖 Want to learn more? Click here to check out the workbooks and get started today!

If you have any questions, message me on the chat box or email me at info@pictureprogress.com, I'd love to help! 👋