SoR Series: Helping Parents Understand How Kids Learn to Read

Part 1: The Science of Reading, Explained

(Just for Parents!)

If you’ve heard your child’s teacher mention the “Science of Reading” lately, you’re not alone.

It’s one of the most talked-about topics in education right now — and for good reason. The Science of Reading (SoR) is changing how schools teach kids to read, grounded in decades of research about how the brain learns.

But what does it actually mean? And why does it matter for your child? Let’s break it down together, teacher-to-parent.

What Is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading is not a program or single curriculum. It’s a body of research — decades of studies from psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience — that helps us understand how children learn to read.

In simple terms: it’s what we know works best for teaching kids to read and write.

This research shows that learning to read is not something kids just “pick up” naturally, like talking. Instead, it’s a complex process that needs to be explicitly taught — step by step, with lots of practice and connection between sounds and letters.

The Big 5: What Every Reader Needs

The Science of Reading organizes reading instruction around five key components, sometimes called the “Big 5.” Here’s what each one means — in plain English:

1. Phonemic Awareness: Hearing and playing with the sounds in words (like noticing that cat and car both start with the same sound).

2. Phonics: Matching the sounds to the letters. This is where kids “crack the code.”

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

4. Vocabulary: Knowing what words mean and how to use them.

5. Comprehension: Understanding what’s read. This is the goal of all reading!

These five components work together to build strong, confident readers.

Why It Matters for Your Child

Many parents tell me:

“I don’t remember learning to read this way.”

That’s because reading instruction has changed.

When reading is taught according to this science, every child — not just the "naturally good readers" — has the chance to succeed. The Science of Reading helps us move away from guessing and toward real decoding — helping kids become confident, independent readers who can tackle any word they see.

For years, schools often relied on approaches that encouraged children to guess words based on pictures or context. You may be familiar with guided reading or reading workshop. When schools follow this research, we see fewer struggling readers, stronger spellers, and children who actually enjoy reading because it feels easier and makes sense.

What Parents Can Do

You do not have to be a teacher to support your child’s reading journey. This will be further explored in Part 3 of the ODL Science of Reading Series.

To get you started, here are a few small but powerful ways to bring Science of Reading ideas into your home:

• Play with sounds. Make rhyming games part of your car rides or bedtime routines.

• Use decodable books. These are stories that help kids apply what they’re learning (instead of memorizing).

• Model curiosity. Let your child see you reading — and asking questions about what you read.

• Communicate with teachers. Ask what reading strategies or phonics patterns your child is working on so you can reinforce them at home.

  
  

A Final Thought

Learning to read is one of the most important journeys your child will ever take. And you, as their parent, are an essential part of that journey. By understanding what the Science of Reading means and how it shapes your child’s instruction, you can feel empowered — not confused — by what’s happening in their classroom.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series: “Why the Science of Reading Matters (and How Kids Actually Learn to Read)," where I’ll share how this research shows up in real classrooms (and why it’s such a game-changer).

Until next time,

Lexi :)