Struggling to support your child’s reading at home? You’re not alone. With NAPLAN results due soon, it’s the perfect time to build confidence in your child (and yourself!). Here’s how parents can make a real difference with just 15 minutes a day.
With NAPLAN results just around the corner, literacy is back in the spotlight. Last year’s national results revealed that one in three Australian students didn’t meet expected literacy benchmarks. And while schools do a great job teaching reading, it turns out the home environment matters just as much, if not more.
But here’s the challenge: plenty of parents want to support their kids… they just aren’t sure how.
Feeling a bit stuck when it comes to reading?
You’re not alone. Research shows that while most parents are eager to help, more than half feel uncertain about what actually works when it comes to supporting their child’s literacy at home.
Even more concerning? Fewer families are reading aloud with their kids these days. A recent report by Nielsen and HarperCollins found that just 41% of children aged 0–4 are being read to regularly. It’s a big missed opportunity! Reading together is one of the easiest (and most enjoyable!) ways to build early literacy skills.
The good news? Helping your child become a confident reader doesn’t mean drilling flashcards or turning your lounge into a classroom. It’s all about using simple, research-backed strategies that actually make a difference, and that fit into busy family life.
5 essential skills to help kids learn
Helping your child become a confident reader doesn’t have to be complicated. Sara Leman, literacy expert and educator at ABC Reading Eggs, shares:
“Teaching your child to read doesn’t mean drilling the alphabet or memorising word lists. Reading is a skill that’s built over time and it starts with five key building blocks that all work together.”
So, what should parents focus on? Here are five essential skills every child needs to become a confident and fluent reader, and how parents can support them at home:
- Phonemic Awareness: Kids need to hear and play with sounds. Try rhyming games or “I spy” to build awareness of how words break down into individual sounds.
- Phonics: This is where the magic happens – connecting letters to sounds. Play word-building games and read with your child to help them sound out and read new words independently.
- Vocabulary: Talk, talk, talk! Talk often, and about everything. Conversations during car rides, dinner, or even grocery shopping help build a rich vocabulary.
- Fluency: Reading aloud with expression and encouraging repeat readings of favourite books helps children read smoothly and confidently.
- Comprehension: Ask simple questions about the story, the characters, or what your child thinks might happen next. It helps turn reading into understanding.
Ready to take the first step?
To help families take that first step, Reading Eggs is offering two exciting EOFY deals.
Get 50% off an Annual Subscription to ABC Reading Eggs and ABC Mathseeds
From 10 June to 1 July, families can access 50% off an annual subscription to ABC Reading Eggs and ABC Mathseeds — just $113.99 (valued at $227).
Get 25% off educational workbooks & activity packs
That’s not it – the ABC Reading Eggs Bookshop is also joining in on the EOFY fun. From 10 to 30 June, families can enjoy 25% off all full-priced items, including educational workbooks and activity packs that complemnt the online programs.
All you need is 15 minutes a day
“Parents don’t need to be teachers. They just need tools and strategies that actually work,” says Sara. “That’s what Reading Eggs is designed for. It turns these research-backed methods into fun, bite-sized lessons that kids love and parents can trust.”
Whether your child is just starting school or needs a confidence boost, making reading part of your daily rhythm can help lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Best of all, it doesn’t take hours — just a few minutes a day can build the habits (and the joy!) of reading.
Because when it comes to literacy, little steps at home really do lead to big leaps at school.
