The Decodable Reads Blog

Decodable reading resources that actually work

Research-backed strategies on decodable texts, Orton-Gillingham materials, and structured literacy - for teachers, tutors, and families.

Child sliding a finger beneath letters while blending sounds into complete words.

Featured

How Can I Help My Child Learn to Blend Sounds When Reading?

Teach sound blending step by step so your child can combine letter sounds into words and decode more independently while reading.

Read article

Latest articles

Letter tiles spelling words like cat, bat, and hat during a hands-on word family activity.

Phonics

How Do Word Families Help Children Learn to Read?

Word families help beginning readers spot shared spelling patterns so they can decode new words faster and build reading confidence at home.

Paul HeinemannNovember 7, 2026

Student carefully sounding out an unfamiliar word while reading independently.

Phonics

How Can I Improve My Child’s Decoding Skills?

Improve your child’s decoding skills with practical phonics strategies, sound-out practice, and activities that build independent reading confidence.

Paul HeinemannNovember 5, 2026

Phonics

How Do I Teach Short and Long Vowel Sounds to My Child?

Teach short and long vowel sounds with simple sorting games, examples, and practice tips that help children decode words more confidently.

Paul HeinemannNovember 3, 2026

Teacher discussing language comprehension and word recognition while students participate in a literacy lesson.

Science of Reading

What Is Scarborough’s Reading Rope and How Does It Explain Reading Development?

Scarborough’s Reading Rope explained simply—how word recognition and language comprehension weave together to create skilled reading.

Paul HeinemannOctober 27, 2026

Reading intervention specialist working with a student using structured literacy techniques.

Science of Reading

What Is Structured Literacy and Why Does It Matter?

Structured literacy explained: a clear, sequential approach to teaching reading with phonics, decoding, and support for struggling readers.

Paul HeinemannOctober 20, 2026

Young reader receiving patient one-on-one phonics instruction with clear step-by-step guidance.

Science of Reading

How Does the Science of Reading Support Struggling and Beginning Readers?

See how Science of Reading strategies support struggling and beginning readers with explicit phonics, practice, and step-by-step guidance.

Paul HeinemannOctober 17, 2026

Teacher and parent using similar phonics activities to support reading growth in different settings.

Science of Reading

How Can I Apply Science of Reading Strategies at Home and in the Classroom?

Apply Science of Reading strategies at home and in the classroom with aligned phonics practice, routines, and tools parents and teachers can share.

Paul HeinemannOctober 15, 2026

Student blending sounds on a classroom whiteboard during an explicit phonics lesson.

Science of Reading

Why Is Phonics Instruction Essential for Developing Strong Readers?

Learn why phonics instruction is essential for strong readers—and how explicit sound-letter teaching builds decoding, fluency, and confidence.

Paul HeinemannOctober 13, 2026

Parent learning evidence-based reading strategies while practicing phonics with their child at home.

Science of Reading

What Do Parents Need to Know About the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading focuses on how children learn to recognize words, understand language, and become fluent readers.

Paul HeinemannOctober 6, 2026

Caring adult encouraging a child after successfully reading a challenging sentence for the first time.

At Home

How Can I Help My Struggling Reader Gain Confidence?

Support a struggling reader with patient practice, decodable texts, and confidence-building strategies that turn frustration into small wins.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 29, 2026

Child excitedly picking a new library book from a colorful bookshelf filled with beginner readers.

At Home

How Can I Encourage a Love of Reading and Motivate My Young Reader?

Encourage a love of reading with motivation tips, book choice strategies, and positive routines that help young readers practice more often.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 27, 2026

Two young children playing a phonics board game while practicing beginning reading skills.

At Home

What Are the Best Reading Activities for Kindergarten and First Grade Students?

Fun, effective reading activities for kindergarten and first grade that build phonics, decoding, and early literacy skills at home or in class.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 24, 2026

Parent cheering as a child finishes reading a book independently with a proud smile.

At Home

What Role Do Parents Play in Developing Strong Reading Habits?

Children are more likely to develop a love for reading when books become a natural part of their daily routine.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 22, 2026

Preschooler exploring alphabet blocks, picture books, and letter sounds during playtime.

At Home

When Is The Right Time to Start Working on Reading Skills?

Before children learn to read, they need strong language skills. Talking, listening, and learning new vocabulary help children understand how language works.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 15, 2026

Cozy bedtime reading routine with a parent and child sharing a favorite story before lights out.

At Home

How Can I Build a Consistent Reading Routine for My Child?

Create a consistent reading routine for kids with simple daily habits, bedtime rituals, and tips that make practice stick without power struggles.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 8, 2026

Mother guiding her child through a beginner reader by pointing to each word as they read aloud.

At Home

What Are the Most Effective Strategies for Teaching Your Child to Read at Home?

Evidence-based strategies for teaching your child to read at home, from phonics and read-alouds to decodable practice and confidence-building habits.

Paul HeinemannSeptember 1, 2026

Backpack, school supplies, and a child reading at home before the start of a new school year.

Seasonal

Back-to-School Reading Success: Your Family's Complete Guide

Help your child start the school year strong with reading routines, skill checks, and practical ways to keep literacy growing at home.

Paul HeinemannAugust 25, 2026

Literacy Leap

Literacy Leap: Features That Make Reading Practice Easier

Many families want to support reading at home, yet they're unsure where to begin, what skills to practice, or whether they're focusing on the right things.

Paul HeinemannAugust 18, 2026

Decodables

Decodable Readers: Everything You Need to Know

Learn what decodable readers are, why they matter for phonics practice, and how to choose texts that match your child’s current reading skills.

Paul HeinemannAugust 11, 2026

Child arranging magnetic letters to build words while learning letter sounds and spelling patterns.

Phonics

Phonics & Reading Skills: A Complete Guide to Building Strong Readers

Build strong early readers with phonics activities that teach letter sounds, decoding, blending, word families, digraphs, and confident independent reading.

Paul HeinemannAugust 4, 2026

Elementary teacher leading a small phonics lesson as students practice decoding words together.

Science of Reading

The Science of Reading: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers

A clear guide to the Science of Reading for parents and teachers: phonics, structured literacy, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and strategies that actually work.

Paul HeinemannJuly 28, 2026

Father and daughter sounding out simple words together during an afternoon reading session at the kitchen table.

At Home

How to Help Your Child Learn to Read at Home: The Complete Parent Guide

Practical strategies to help your child learn to read at home—daily routines, phonics practice, confidence tips, and when to seek personalized support.

Paul HeinemannJuly 21, 2026

A guide to Orton-Gillingham teaching materials for structured literacy

Tutorials

The Complete Guide to Orton-Gillingham Materials: Digital & Printable Resources

How to choose, create, and use Orton-Gillingham materials — free and paid, digital and printable — for systematic, structured phonics instruction.

Paul HeinemannJuly 1, 2026

Research-backed reading strategies and decodable texts

Tutorials

Decodable Texts: A Research-Backed Strategy for Reading Improvement

Discover how decodable texts can significantly improve reading skills for struggling readers, backed by comprehensive research and studies.

Paul HeinemannJune 5, 2026

Why decodable texts help struggling readers build confidence

Tutorials

Why Decodable Texts Help Struggling Readers Improve

Learn why educators and parents are turning to decodable texts as a proven method to build confidence and foster a love for reading in children who face challenges.

Paul HeinemannMay 12, 2026