I Want My Child to Read But I Don’t Know How: Here’s What Worked for Us

*** This is part 1 of the series Teaching Toddlers to Read.

Watching my son, Ari, start reading three-letter words and short sentences filled me with pure joy. While our journey isn’t over yet, it’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come since day one.

This path hasn’t been a straight line—it’s been full of ups and downs. Some days, I felt like giving up; on others, his interest soared or dipped unexpectedly. And then there were those magical moments when everything just clicked. Every challenge has been worth it to see his progress, and the best part is that even a dedicated 5 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

I’m sharing this because I know many parents are—or will soon be—walking a similar path. Teaching toddlers to read can feel overwhelming, but I hope these tips and insights help you on your journey.

A quick disclaimer: I’m not an expert—just a mom learning as we go. Teaching toddlers to read is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and creativity, but the rewards are truly worth it. Reading is a lifelong journey, and we’re continuously growing. This post isn’t meant to claim I have all the answers, but rather to share what has worked for us so far.

Why I Wanted to Teach My Son to Read Early

My sister-in-law is a hairstylist, which means she regularly meets a number of moms. One thing I often hear from these conversations is that many kids are struggling with reading, and early parental intervention is needed. In talking with these moms, it’s clear that education shouldn’t be left solely to schools; active parental involvement is essential.

The numbers back this up. Data shows that many children in Canada and the U.S. aren’t reading at their grade level. For instance, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports that only 35% of fourth graders in the U.S. read at a proficient level, and in Canada, 26% of third graders fall below expected reading levels (People for Education, 2023). Research also confirms that early exposure to reading significantly boosts literacy later in life (Stanovich & Cunningham, 1997).

Online educators like those behind @toddlerscanread on Instagram have been a huge inspiration. Their free tips emphasize that reading builds confidence in kids. When children learn to read independently, they gain a sense of achievement that motivates them to learn even more.

I’ve also been inspired by Jady A—a homeschooling mom who taught her kids to read by age three. Her shared resources and insights have been invaluable on this journey.

📖 Teaching toddlers to read isn’t just about phonics; it builds confidence and curiosity.I’ve seen the impact firsthand in my son. For instance, when he hears a word like “man,” he now understands that it can refer to someone like his dad. With each reading session, his curiosity deepens—he often stops to ask, “What does this word mean?” and excitedly experiments with language by suggesting synonyms, saying things like, “Is it like…?” Witnessing his confidence and curiosity blossom through reading has been nothing short of amazing.

I also experienced a similar impact with my nephew. When he moved to Canada two years ago, his early reading skills gave him a tremendous advantage. I noticed that:

• His rich vocabulary and eagerness to curiosity set him apart.
• He quickly made friends at school by helping others with reading and school work.
• His independence shone through, like when he read instructions on our safari trip.
• Even though he loves video games, he balances screen time with reading—completing 19 books this year, each averaging about 100 pages.
• Because he is so proficient in reading, he is currently learning french and he is a full french immersion school.

All these experiences reaffirmed my decision to start teaching my son to read as early as possible. Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of academic success and can nurture a lifelong love of reading.

The Foundation: Read, Read, and Read Aloud

No matter how young your child is, one of the best things you can do is read to them constantly. Even if you can’t do it every single day, try to incorporate reading into your routine as much as possible. Teaching toddlers to read starts with exposure to books.

Where to Find Books Without Breaking the Bank

• Visit your local library
• Check Facebook Marketplace (I found a great book series for just $20!)
• Swap books with mom friends
• Look for Canadian websites that offer free books for kids

💡 Remember, it’s not just about the books—it’s about how you read them. Use expressive voices, varied intonation, and genuine excitement.

Introducing Letter Sounds (Not Just the Alphabet)

Instead of starting with the alphabet (A, B, C…), focus on letter sounds first. Teach “A” as in “aaa” instead of the letter name “A.”

🔊 “But I don’t even know the sounds myself!”

✅ I get it—I didn’t know them correctly at first either! I watched these videos, and over time, I learned. And honestly, sometimes I still go back to refresh my memory. You can check them out here!

You can also check this out from toddlerscanread:

Now, to make it fun, my son used to play a game on an app called “Jolly Phonics.” It is available on both Android and iOS. It is a great resource to:

1. Explore phonics sounds together with your child, using familiar nursery rhymes to reinforce their learning.
2. Practice tracing letters as a fun, engaging activity.
3. Enjoy interactive games that help solidify their understanding of sounds.

You can watch a Video of my son using the app below:

What’s Next

This is only the start of our reading adventure. In my upcoming posts, I’ll dive into:

• Engaging, fun activities that make learning truly enjoyable.
• What comes next after my child learns to blend sounds—and another exciting activity we’re trying.
• Which toys and YouTube Videos can further boost learning
• The best books and tools that have worked wonders for us.
  

If you’re on a similar journey, I’d love to hear what’s been working for you! Let’s support each other as we nurture our little ones’ love for reading.

PS: I also have a blog post here: How to Help Kids Identify Numbers. Please check it out. I also have my secret hack to teach toddlers to write 1-10. Until then,

Have a beautiful day ahead.