Okay, Your Child Is Ready to Start the Fundamentals of Reading

Learning to read doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey made up of small, connected steps that build on each other. At the very beginning are the foundations of sound awareness, and at the very top is comprehension, where your child is fully immersed in stories and meaning.

We like to think of reading as a staircase. Each step prepares your child to climb higher and higher until they can confidently read and understand what’s in front of them. Skipping a step makes the climb harder, but mastering each one builds lasting confidence.

At Speech World, we walk alongside families as children take these steps, making sure they develop the right skills at the right time.

The 5 Key Steps to Reading Success

1. Phonemic Awareness – Hearing and playing with sounds in words.

2. Phonics/Decoding – Matching sounds to letters and letter combinations.

3. Fluency – Reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression.

4. Vocabulary – Building a strong word bank for understanding.

5. Comprehension – Making meaning, imagining, and connecting with text.

How Speech-Language Pathologists Support the Journey

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are uniquely trained to bridge spoken language and reading. We don’t just teach the “what” of reading—we focus on the “how” and “why.”

• At the foundation, SLPs help children tune their ears to sounds and connect those sounds to letters.

• In the middle, we support fluency and vocabulary with guided practice and real-life strategies.

• At the top, we help children unlock comprehension—thinking beyond the page and connecting stories to their own lives.

What Parents Can Do at Home

As we walk through this series, you’ll get step-by-step activities you can weave into everyday routines: sorting sounds during playtime, practicing word families on the fridge, or retelling bedtime stories in fun ways.

The goal isn’t just to “practice reading.” It’s to help your child feel confident, motivated, and excited to grow as a reader—one step at a time.

👩🏾‍⚕️ How Speech World Helps Whether your child is just beginning or struggling at a certain stage, our SLPs provide individualized strategies and family support. We believe every child deserves to become a confident, joyful reader.

Resources for Families

• 📖 Schedule a free consultation with a Speech World SLP.

• 💻 Teletherapy and in-person services available for families and schools.

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