Smooth Reading Starts with Small Words

You play an important role in your child’s learning and helping your child become a confident reader doesn’t have to take extra time. You can fit simple word practice into everyday moments while driving to school, waiting in line, cooking dinner, or reading together at bedtime. These quick activities make learning fun and help your child master the small words that build big reading skills!

Words like 'the', 'a', 'I', 'to', 'and', 'was', 'for', 'you', 'is', and 'of' show up everywhere in books. Knowing these words by sight helps kids read more smoothly. Here are some easy everyday ways to practice:

• Show Two Words: While reading together, point to 'a' and 'the' and ask, “Which one says ‘the’?”
• Spot It in a Book: Pick one word and see how many times you can find it while reading. Make it a game and see who can find the most.
• Spell It Out on the Go: Driving somewhere? Say a word and have your child spell it aloud.
• Make It Hands On: At the beach, write words in the sand. At home, let your child trace the word on your back or in the air. These playful activities activate different parts of the brain and make learning stick.

By weaving these simple activities into your daily routines, you are supporting the same goals we focus on in the classroom through our district literacy framework. Together, we can help every child read with confidence and ease.