We know when our child is struggling to read. As parents and caregivers, there are lots of things we can do at home during our everyday routines and activities to help develop and strengthen reading and literacy skills. Research has identified the skills that must work together for a child to become a proficient reader. Research also demonstrates that literacy skills tend to develop in a certain order and across typical age ranges. Click a skill below to learn more and find examples of what it looks like when a child is struggling from the child’s perspective, a parent’s perspective and a teacher’s perspective. You can also find strategies to do at home to support each skill! Learn more about what reading and literacy skill development looks and how you can support pre-readers, early readers and older readers by clicking on the title. See what reading and literacy skills look like and how to support specific grade levels by clicking on the grade range. Please keep in mind that while the grade levels associated with each skill are to serve as a helpful reference point, they should not be viewed as rigid benchmarks for every child’s progress.

All public and public charter schools in NH are required to conduct a reading/literacy screener with all children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. This includes children who currently receive special education or are on 504 plans. By using a screening process, schools can identify children who may be at risk for reading challenges and provide extra help and support earlier. Your child’s reading/literacy screener data can give you important information about why they are struggling. Visit our page on NH’s Reading Screening Process for more information.

Your child’s school may have reading/literacy interventions that support children to strengthen specific literacy skills. However, there may come a point where your child is not making enough progress in the classroom even with small group instruction and/or other literacy interventions. If you suspect your child needs special education, you can make a referral for special education. You can find a sample referral letter here or you may contact the Parent Information Center to talk more about your specific situation.