Written language is a code, and learning to crack that code is at the heart of learning to read. Unlike speaking and understanding language—which our brains are naturally wired to do—reading is not an innate skill. This means it must be explicitly taught.
Research consistently shows that children learn to read best through systematic phonics instruction. This means teaching the relationships between letters and sounds in a planned, sequential way—starting with the simplest sounds and patterns, and building up to more complex ones.
Why is this so important? Because decoding—the ability to sound out and read words—is the key that unlocks a child’s ability to independently access text. Without decoding, children may rely on memorization or guessing, which limits progress.
While decoding is essential, it’s only one piece of the reading puzzle. Strong readers also need to develop:
- Comprehension – understanding and making meaning from text
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Vocabulary – knowing the meanings of words
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Fluency – reading with speed, accuracy, and expression
At CGLearning, we believe in
building these skills early, even before a child can read independently. You can start developing vocabulary and comprehension through
read-alouds—before, during, and after reading together. These shared reading experiences build background knowledge and language understanding, both of which support long-term reading success.
As children grow in their phonics knowledge, it’s important to introduce morphology—the study of word parts like roots, prefixes, and suffixes. We start weaving this into our instruction as early as kindergarten.
For example, children can begin to learn that “un-” means “not,” or that “-ed” means something happened in the past. These building blocks empower children to decode and understand longer, more complex words.
If you’re a teacher, parent, or tutor wondering where to start, you’re in the right place. We’ve organized our blog posts to guide you step by step through the process of teaching reading.
You can:
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Start at the top and follow the posts in order
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Jump straight to the topics you want to learn more about
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Use our resources to support explicit teaching, small group instruction, or one-on-one tutoring
Reading is not a mystery—it’s a skill. With the right tools, structure, and support, every child can become a confident and capable reader. At CGLearning, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
