TEACHING & LEARNING

HOW CAN MY CHILD BECOME A CONFIDENT READER? 

BY CARRIE SCAMPTON - HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING (PRIMARY) 

The Simple View of Reading

Have you ever wondered why some children seem to pick up reading almost effortlessly, while others need more time, support, and encouragement? Research shows us that reading is not a single skill but a combination of processes that work together. One of the clearest and most widely accepted models is called the Simple View of Reading. This model explains that reading depends on two key parts:

1. Word Recognition - the ability to accurately and fluently read the words on a page.

2. Language Comprehension - the ability to understand and make meaning from those words.

When both skills are strong, reading flourishes. When either is weak, reading becomes difficult. Understanding this model helps us see how children learn to read and how we can support them at school and home.

Word recognition: Word recognition is the ‘code-breaking’ side of reading. Children first hear and notice sounds (phonological awareness), then connect sounds to letters (phonics), and gradually read words smoothly and automatically (fluency). Research shows that one of the strongest foundations for reading is phonics - understanding how letters and groups of letters represent sounds, and how these sounds can be blended to read words. This skill is called decoding. Once children can decode words efficiently, they free up brain power to focus on understanding the content. 

Language Comprehension: Reading is more than recognising words - it’s about making sense of them. Comprehension enables children to enjoy stories, acquire new knowledge, connect ideas, and envision possibilities. As they read more, they expand their vocabulary and understanding, predict what might happen, and think deeply about characters and ideas. This is where reading becomes truly rewarding.

How we build reading skills at BHCS:

At BHCS, we are passionate about ensuring that every child has the tools to become a confident and successful reader. From the earliest years, teachers explicitly teach the building blocks of reading:

• Recognising and working with sounds (phonemic awareness)

• Connecting sounds to letters (phonics knowledge)

• Practising fluent reading with guidance and support

• Talking, thinking, and reflecting to build comprehension

We employ evidence-based strategies, including decodable readers, structured programs, peer reading, vocabulary instruction in context, multisensory approaches, and targeted support programs (e.g., Mini-Lit, Macq-Lit, Heggerty). Student progress is monitored with DIBELS assessments to ensure timely help where needed.

How Parents Can Help at Home:

You play an essential role in supporting your child’s reading journey. Even small, consistent actions at home make a big difference:

• Read with your child daily - even 10–15 minutes makes a powerful difference.

• Be patient - give your child plenty of time to try before providing support.

• Encourage sounding out - if your child gets stuck, remind them to use their phonics skills rather than guessing the word or looking at pictures.

• Read aloud to your child - show them what fluent, expressive reading sounds like.

• Talk about stories - ask questions like “What was your favourite part?” or “Why do you think that character did that?” to build comprehension skills.

• Provide audiobooks for children to listen to, follow along, and hear fluent readers. 

• Celebrate progress - notice the small wins, whether it’s reading a tricky word or reading with more expression. 

A Lifelong Gift

The Simple View of Reading reminds us that true reading success depends on both recognising words and understanding them. At BHCS, we combine evidence-based teaching with individualised support so every child can grow in both areas. When families reinforce these skills at home, children don’t just learn to read; they gain a lifelong gift that opens doors to knowledge, imagination, and opportunity.