Teaching Children to Read: 5 Empower Strategies

Watching your child struggle to read can be heartbreaking as a parent. You may notice that they avoid reading aloud, guess at unfamiliar words, become frustrated with homework, or struggle to remember words they have already practised. You sit beside them, patiently helping them sound out a word, only to find they have difficulty recognizing that same word the next time it appears. Helping children learn to read takes more than asking them to practise.

Some children need additional instruction and practical strategies to help them recognize words, understand spelling patterns, and become more confident readers. When reading feels difficult, it can affect more than schoolwork. It can influence a child’s confidence, willingness to participate in class, and attitude toward learning.

My youngest daughter participated in the SickKids Empower™ Reading Program, and the experience gave me a much better understanding of how children who struggle with reading can be helped. What stood out to me was that the program did not simply expect children to read more or memorize words. It taught them specific strategies they could use when faced with unfamiliar words. I saw the value of giving children the tools to approach reading differently, and I came away with a genuine appreciation for this program.

For parents looking for ways to help their children learn to read, I believe the Empower Reading Program is worth learning about.

Why Some Children Struggle to Read

Learning to read involves several skills working together. Children need to recognize letters, understand the sounds those letters represent, identify spelling patterns, and learn how to put sounds together to form words. They also need enough practice to become comfortable recognizing words without having to work through every letter individually. When children are learning to read, some of these skills develop more easily than others, which is why a child may need additional support in certain areas.

Some children can understand a story perfectly well when someone reads it to them but struggle when asked to read independently. Others rely on pictures or the first letter of a word to guess what comes next. A child may also have difficulty reading longer words or remembering spelling patterns.

These challenges do not necessarily mean a child is not trying hard enough. Sometimes they have not been taught the strategies they need to work through unfamiliar words. Repeatedly asking a struggling reader to practise without addressing the underlying difficulty can lead to frustration.

This is why structured reading instruction can be so important. Children need to understand how words work and learn practical ways to approach them. Giving children the right tools can make a meaningful difference in how they learn to read.

What Is the SickKids Empower Reading Program?

The Empower Reading Program was developed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Its Grades 2 to 5 Decoding and Spelling Program is designed to help children who experience difficulties with word recognition, decoding, and spelling.

For children who need extra help to learn to read, this type of structured instruction can provide a different approach. Rather than relying on memorization alone, the program teaches children strategies they can apply when encountering unfamiliar words. The goal is to help them become more independent readers by giving them a consistent approach to working through words.

My daughter’s participation helped me appreciate why this type of instruction can be so valuable. A child who struggles with reading needs more than someone supplying the answer when they get stuck. They need to learn what to do when they encounter a word they do not recognize. Having strategies to fall back on can make reading feel less overwhelming.

Five Word-Reading Strategies Taught Through Empower Reading

Learning to read unfamiliar words can be challenging when a child does not know where to begin. The Empower Reading Program teaches five strategies called Sounding Out, Rhyming, Peeling Off, Vowel Alert, and SPY. Each gives children another way to approach words they may not recognize, helping them develop skills they can use beyond the classroom.

1. Sounding Out

Sounding Out teaches children to look carefully at the letters in a word, identify the sounds they represent, and blend those sounds together. For example, when reading CAT, a child learns to recognize the sounds represented by C, A, and T before blending them to say the word.

This is an important skill because children cannot always rely on recognizing a word by sight. They need to be able to work through unfamiliar words using their knowledge of letter-sound relationships.

Parents can reinforce this at home with simple words such as SUN, DOG, HAT, and MAP. Encourage your child to look at the letters rather than immediately guessing from a picture or the first sound.

2. Rhyming

Rhyming helps children use familiar words to recognize other words with similar spelling patterns. For example, a child who already knows NIGHT may be able to use that knowledge to read LIGHT, FIGHT, and BRIGHT.

This approach helps children recognize that words often share patterns. Once they understand a particular pattern, they can use that knowledge when reading other words rather than starting from scratch each time.

At home, parents can make this a simple activity by choosing a familiar word and asking their child to think of other words that share the same ending. Writing the words down and looking at their spelling can help reinforce the connection.

3. Peeling Off

Longer words can be intimidating for children who are still developing their reading skills. Peeling Off teaches children to look for smaller parts within words, such as prefixes and suffixes, so they can focus on a familiar base word.

For example, UNHELPFUL can be broken into UN, HELP, and FUL. Recognizing HELP gives the child a familiar starting point and makes the longer word easier to approach.

This strategy is particularly useful as children encounter more complicated vocabulary in their schoolwork. Learning to recognize familiar word parts can help them approach longer words with greater confidence.

4. Vowel Alert

Vowels can be confusing because the same vowel or combination of letters can make different sounds depending on the word.

For example, EA makes different sounds in BREAD and BEAD. Vowel Alert encourages children to pay attention to vowel patterns and consider another pronunciation if their first attempt does not produce a recognizable word.

This helps children understand that reading is not always as simple as assigning one sound to each letter. They need to look at the spelling pattern and consider the possibilities.

5. SPY

SPY encourages children to look carefully for familiar parts within unfamiliar words. Instead of seeing a longer word as one difficult combination of letters, children learn to search for smaller sections they already recognize.

For example, SUNSHINE contains the familiar words SUN and SHINE. Recognizing these parts can make the word easier to approach.

The strategy encourages children to slow down, examine the word, and use what they already know rather than immediately guessing.

Why Structured Reading Instruction Makes a Difference

One of the things I appreciate about the Empower Reading approach is that it recognizes children need to be taught how to read, not simply told to keep practising. When a child repeatedly struggles with the same types of words, changing the way they are taught can be important.

Helping children learn to read means understanding what is making reading difficult in the first place. Having specific strategies gives children something to fall back on when they get stuck. Instead of feeling helpless when they encounter an unfamiliar word, they have different ways to approach it. With instruction and repeated practice, these strategies can become tools they use more independently.

My experience with my daughter reinforced how important it is to find an approach that addresses the actual difficulties a child is experiencing. A child who has struggled for a long time may already feel discouraged about reading. Giving them a clearer way to work through words can help change how they approach learning.

The Empower Reading Program is not simply about getting through a reading assignment. It is about developing skills that children can continue using as their reading demands increase.

How Parents Can Support Reading at Home

Parents play an important role in helping children learn to read, but you do not have to turn your home into a classroom. Regular reading opportunities, encouragement, and patience can help reinforce what children are learning.

When your child gets stuck on a word, give them time to look at it. Rather than immediately supplying the answer, encourage them to consider whether they can sound it out, recognize a familiar spelling pattern, find a smaller word inside it, or pay attention to the vowels.

Reading together is another valuable way to build confidence. Take turns reading pages or paragraphs, choose books that are appropriate for your child’s current reading ability, and revisit familiar stories. Repeated reading gives children an opportunity to become more comfortable with words and sentences.

Keep practice sessions manageable. A child who already finds reading difficult may become overwhelmed by lengthy assignments. Praise their effort, acknowledge when they try a new strategy, and avoid comparing their progress with that of siblings or classmates.

Most importantly, remember that children develop reading skills at different rates. If your child continues to struggle despite regular instruction, speak with their teacher about additional support and whether an assessment may be appropriate.

Other Reading Resources Parents May Want to Explore

In addition to structured reading instruction, parents may want to explore other educational resources that encourage children to practise literacy skills. Finding enjoyable ways to practise can help support children as they work toward becoming more comfortable and confident readers.

I previously explored Reading Kingdom with my youngest daughter when she was six years old and experiencing reading difficulties. She enjoyed the interactive activities, and I appreciated that the lessons were relatively short. The program included activities involving letter recognition, phonics, and reading, along with features that allowed parents to monitor progress.

You can read more about our experience in my Reading Kingdom reading program review.

Another resource worth exploring is Think Tank Scholar Flashcards. Flashcards offer another way for children to review information, practise concepts, and reinforce what they are learning. They can be a useful addition to learning at home, particularly when children benefit from repetition and short practice activities.

Every child learns differently, so an educational resource that works well for one child may not be the right fit for another. These tools can complement learning, but they should not replace targeted reading instruction when a child needs additional help.

When Should Parents Be Concerned About Reading Difficulties?

If your child is having difficulty learning to read, it is worth paying attention to the specific skills they are finding challenging. Continued difficulty recognizing words, sounding out unfamiliar words, spelling, or reading fluently despite regular instruction may be a reason to speak with their teacher.

Ask which specific skills your child is finding difficult, what support is available, and whether a more focused assessment or additional instruction may be appropriate. Some children with persistent reading difficulties may have dyslexia or another learning difference, although struggling with reading does not automatically mean a child has a particular diagnosis.

You do not have to wait until your child falls significantly behind before asking for help. Early conversations can help you understand what is happening and what steps may make reading easier.

Helping Children Learn to Read with Confidence

My youngest daughter’s participation in the SickKids Empower Reading Program gave me a personal appreciation for the importance of targeted reading instruction. I believe the program is particularly valuable because it teaches children practical strategies they can use rather than expecting them to memorize words or simply practise harder.

For parents trying to help their children learn to read, remember that difficulty does not mean a child cannot become a capable reader. Sometimes they need a different approach, more individualized instruction, and someone who understands how to teach the skills they are missing.

If your child is struggling, keep asking questions, stay involved in their education, and explore the support available to them. Every child deserves the opportunity to develop reading skills and experience the confidence that comes with being able to read independently.

Learn more: Visit the SickKids Empower Reading Program to learn more about its evidence-based reading programs and teacher training.