Common Mistakes Parents Can Avoid When Teaching Your Child to Read (And What to Do Instead)

Teaching a child to read is one of the most rewarding experiences for a parent — but it's also easy to make mistakes along the way. If you’re eager to support your child’s literacy journey, avoiding certain common pitfalls can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both of you.

Here are three key mistakes parents often make when teaching reading — and smart ways to avoid them.

1. Forcing Reading Before Your Child is Ready

❌ The Mistake:

Many parents feel pressure to have their child reading fluently at a young age. This often leads to pushing formal reading instruction before the child has developed the necessary cognitive and emotional readiness.

✅ What to Do Instead:

Focus on building pre-reading skills like:

• Recognizing letter sounds

• Listening to rhymes

• Understanding story structure through picture books

Let reading grow organically through play, conversation, and daily reading time. Remember: children develop at their own pace, and forcing can cause frustration or resistance.

2. Relying Solely on Screens to Teach your Child to Read

❌ The Mistake:

Digital apps can be helpful, but relying only on tablets or phones for reading instruction can limit engagement, creativity, and personal connection to books.

✅ What to Do Instead:

Balance screen time with hands-on learning:

• Read physical books together

• Let them flip the pages and follow along with their finger

• Play letter recognition games using magnetic letters or flashcards

Use apps like Reading Eggs or ABCmouse as a supplement, not the main tool. Real-world interaction helps build attention span and deeper comprehension.

3. Skipping Reading Aloud Once They Can Read

❌ The Mistake:

Some parents stop reading aloud once their child starts reading independently. But shared reading still plays a huge role in language development and comprehension.

✅ What to Do Instead:

Keep reading aloud daily even as they grow older. Choose chapter books or nonfiction stories slightly above their current reading level to stretch vocabulary and imagination.

Try taking turns reading pages or asking open-ended questions during the story. This encourages:

• Active listening

• Critical thinking

• Bonding over books

Best Tools and Resources to Support Early Readers

Whether your child is just starting or needs a confidence boost, here are some parent-approved tools to enrich their reading journey:

📚 Books

• Bob Books – simple phonics-based readers for beginners

• Dr. Seuss – playful rhythm and rhyme help build language patterns

• Pete the Cat – fun stories that build early comprehension

📱 Apps

• ABCmouse – full curriculum with reading games and stories

• Reading Eggs – interactive phonics and sight word lessons

• Starfall – fun animations and letter-sound games

🧸 Toys & Tools

• LeapReader – interactive pen that helps kids read along with books

• Magnetic letters – for spelling games and phonics practice

• Alphabet blocks – great for tactile letter learning and word-building

Teaching a child to read isn’t just about getting through a checklist of skills. It’s about creating a joyful, positive relationship with language. Avoiding these common mistakes helps build confidence, motivation, and a lifelong love of reading.

Stay patient, keep it playful, and most importantly — enjoy the journey together.