How to Build a Homeschool Reading Routine That Actually Works

Work It Into Your Routine

Choose something you do every day before reading. This could be pouring a cup of cocoa, lighting a candle, or opening the same picture book and reading one page. It doesn’t matter what it is; all that matters is that this tiny signal tells the brain “it’s time to get settled.” Make sure to keep it quick and do the same thing every day. Miss a day? Don’t worry about it, simply go back to the routine the next day without any remorse.

Establish A Simple Progression

The goal is to establish three components in the following order: sound play, skill practice, and a story. A sound play example would be a fast-paced game where your child identifies syllables by clapping or lists words that begin with the “m” sound. The second part will be the focused time (skill practice) that the child will work on letter sounds, blends, or decode. The third component should be a read-aloud that expands their vocabulary and encourages creativity.

Identify a comfortable environment.

Reading time needs to happen at the same location and with the same amount of natural light. Choose a soft, comfortable chair or a picnic blanket that sits on the floor. The ideal amount of time for most early readers is twenty to thirty minutes. If the child becomes distracted during the reading session, break it down into smaller sessions — ideally two separate sessions, i.e., once in the morning and again in the late afternoon.

Use Teaching Tools

Keep a small collection of teaching tools near the area you designate for reading. These tools should include decodable books, a whiteboard, magnetic letters, and a collection of phonics worksheets. Each week, rotate through a number of tools, so your child has a variety of options, and does not become overwhelmed. On an energetic day, use finger tracing of letters in sand or air writing to calm the child down and refocus.

Document the progress of your child.

Displaying your child’s progress on a chart or calendar with stickers is a great way to track the development of your child. Celebrate your child’s efforts to develop their reading skills, not how quickly they read. Note the sounds your child sticks with or the challenging words they figure out. 

If there is a book your child is struggling with, stop and try a simpler option. Reverting to a better option allows your child to maintain confidence.

How to modify your plan:

Review your current plan every couple of weeks to determine what is working well and what is not. If the sound play appears to be strong, consider adding another skill to the routine.

If the read-aloud seems to be taking up too much time, move the timing to earlier in the day. As with any routine, it is a living entity. Keep the routines light, and allow the stories to be the unifying force that connects all members of your household.