PARENT RESOURCE
When a child gets stuck on a word, it can be tempting to quickly tell them what it says. But if we always give them the answer, they miss the chance to practise the skills they need to become independent readers.
The goal isn't to let your child become frustrated. It's to give them enough time and support to work through the word themselves.
Key Takeaway
Getting stuck is part of learning to read.
Give your child a few seconds to think and try. If they still need help, give them just enough support to take the next step rather than giving them the word
Help Without Giving the Answer
Start With Wait Time
When your child stops at a word, don't jump in immediately.
Pause for a few seconds. They may know exactly what to do — they just need more time to remember the sounds and put them together.
Give a Small Prompt
If they still need help, bring their attention back to the letters.
For mat, you might say:
“What sound does this letter make?”
Point to m and let your child say /m/. Then move through the remaining sounds:
/m/ → /a/ → /t/
Help Them Blend
If they can say the sounds but can't put them together, this is where you help.
Model how to stretch the sounds together:
/mmmm/ → /aaaa/ → /t/
Then try it together.
“Let's do it together: mmmmaaaat — mat.”
Finally, let your child try the word again independently.
Give Them Time to Struggle a Little
Learning happens in the space between “I don't know” and “I got it.”
A few extra seconds of thinking, trying and even getting it wrong gives your child a chance to use what they are learning.
Step in when frustration is building — but don't be afraid to let reading feel like work sometimes.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Telling the word too quickly.
If your child pauses at mat and you immediately say “mat,” they can continue reading — but they haven't practised reading the word.
Instead, pause → prompt → help → try again.
Try This Next
The next time your child gets stuck:
1. Wait. Give them a few seconds.
2. Prompt. Point to the letters or ask for the sounds.
3. Help. Blend the sounds together if needed.
4. Try again. Let your child read the word independently.
The goal isn't to make reading difficult. It's to gradually make your help unnecessary.
From Sounds to Reading teaches children how to move from recognizing sounds, to blending them together, to reading words, sentences and decodable books — one manageable step at a time.
Try Lesson 1 Free
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