Learning to Read: The Early Years
In the first few years of school (Kindergarten to approximately Year 2), the focus is on learning to read. This means children are developing the mechanics of reading, such as:
- recognising letters and sounds
- sounding out unfamiliar words
- blending sounds together
- reading simple sentences
- building reading fluency
At this stage, success is largely based on decoding skills — the ability to turn written words into spoken words. Many children develop these skills successfully and appear to be confident readers.
Reading to Learn: The Later Shift
From around Year 3 onwards, reading becomes a tool for learning new information. This stage is known as reading to learn. The focus is no longer just on reading the words, but on understanding and using the information within the text.
This requires more advanced language skills, including:
- understanding new and complex vocabulary
- making inferences (reading between the lines)
- understanding figurative language, such as metaphors and sarcasm
- linking information across sentences and paragraphs
- understanding subject-specific terms (e.g., “evaporation,” “democracy,” “analyse”)
For example:
- A younger reader might read “The dog ran fast.”
- An older student might read “The predator accelerated in pursuit of its prey.”
Even if a child can decode both sentences, understanding the second requires stronger vocabulary and language skills.
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Reading to Learn
Some common signs include:
- Reading fluently but struggling to explain what they read
- Difficulty answering comprehension questions
- Trouble summarising information
- Struggling more with reading-heavy subjects like Science, English, or History
- Avoiding reading or homework tasks
- Saying “I don’t understand,” even when they can read the words
These difficulties are often related to underlying language skills rather than effort or motivation. As school progresses, students are expected to:
- learn new information independently from written text
- understand abstract vocabulary
- follow complex written instructions
- integrate information across multiple sources
Children with subtle language difficulties may cope well in early years but begin to struggle as these demands increase.
How Parents Can Support Reading Comprehension at Home
There are simple ways to support your child’s understanding of what they read:
Ask open-ended questions
- “What was that about?”
- “Why do you think that happened?”
- “What do you think will happen next?”
Talk about new words
- Explain unfamiliar words when they come up
- Use new words in conversation
Encourage summarising
- Ask your child to explain information in their own words
Connect reading to real life
- Relating information to familiar experiences helps understanding
These strategies help build deeper comprehension and language skills.
How Speech Pathologists Can Help
Speech pathologists support older students with the language skills needed for learning, including:
- reading comprehension
- vocabulary development
- inferencing skills
- understanding complex instructions
- organising and expressing ideas
This support helps students access the curriculum more confidently and independently.
Conclusion
Reading is about more than sounding out words. As children move through school, reading becomes a critical tool for learning, and strong language skills become essential.
If your child can read fluently but struggles to understand or learn from what they read, they may benefit from additional support. With the right strategies and support, children can develop the skills they need to succeed academically and build confidence in their learning. You can contact us at Speak, Learn and Grow Speech Pathology Services on (02) 9526 2788 or fill in this form.
