Teaching and Learning
Building Strong Readers in Prep–Year 2
Many of our families will already be familiar with the Little Learners Love Literacy approach used across Prep to Year 2. This evidence‑based program supports children as they learn to read, write and spell through explicit phonics instruction and carefully sequenced texts.
A vital part of developing confident, capable readers is reading at home. We ask that all students read each night, as regular reading builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension and helps children develop positive reading habits that last well beyond the early years.
While we encourage children to explore a wide range of books they enjoy, we also want to highlight how the Little Learners Love Literacy decodable books can support your child’s home reading routine.
Decodable Books
Decodable books give children the opportunity to practise the phonics skills they are learning at school. Because these texts are phonically controlled, children can read unfamiliar words by sounding out and blending. This leads to:
- A strong foundation for future reading success
- Increased confidence and independence
- Productive reading habits that support fluency and comprehension
Top Tips for Home Reading
- Create a predictable routine that suits your family so reading becomes a familiar part of each day.
- Make it fun - cosy spaces, shared reading, silly voices or celebrating new words can make reading feel special.
- Before reading, chat about the front cover, characters and any sounds or words your child will encounter.
- During reading, encourage your child to sound out unfamiliar words and then re‑read the sentence for fluency. Remind them to pause at full stops and notice punctuation.
- After reading, talk about the story, new vocabulary and any interesting moments.
Families can find helpful videos, tips and resources on the Little Learners Love Literacy Parent Page, including ways to support reading, spelling and phonics at home.
Danielle Phillips
Teaching and Learning Leader