Decades of studies have helped us to better understand how children learn to read and why some struggle to do so. This research guides instructional practices. As parents we have been told that the best thing we can do for our children is to expose them to books and to read to them at home. While this is certainly an important part of supporting literacy skill development, research shows us that there are other important strategies parents need to know about and things they can do to support literacy development at home in addition to receiving direct reading instruction at school. As parents, we need to learn more about the core components of literacy and how we can support them at home.

Researchers have been able to focus on what components must be in place in order to teach all children, including those with diverse needs and cultural backgrounds, to read. This includes intentional and direct teaching of 7 literacy building skills.

Research also tells us that Structured Literacy is the most effective approach for students. Structured literacy is an explicit and systematic approach to instruction that addresses all the literacy skills. It is important to know that Structured Literacy is an instructional method, and not a curriculum, intervention or product that you or schools can buy to teach reading. In the Structured Literacy approach, teaching is:

• Explicit: Structured Literacy instruction requires the direct and purposeful teaching of all skills with continuous student-teacher interaction. It is not assumed that children will naturally pick up these concepts on their own.
• Systematic: The delivery of this instruction follows a well-defined scope and sequence, which provides a logical progression of skills that move from simple to more complex.
• Cumulative: Newly introduced concepts are layered upon previously learned concepts. Starting with the foundation for how sounds make up words, how spelling patterns make sounds and words, to how these skills work together so students read more naturally and quickly, moving on to the ability to read more difficult text over time.
• Responsive: Teachers continually assess students’ skills over time allowing them to see what skills a student is successful at and what skills they are struggling with. Teachers can then make decisions about how to teach and group students based on what skills they are working on.

Want to know more about research tells us about teaching reading and literacy? Check out PIC’s online module on the topic!

While there have been many approaches over the years to teaching literacy, NH is shifting literacy instructional approaches. By July 1, 2027, all schools are required to implement evidence-based literacy instruction. Structured literacy is an evidence-based approach to literacy instruction.

As parents, we know when our child is struggling to read. The issue is we don’t know WHY. There are 7 essential literacy skills that must work together for a child to become a proficient reader. By understanding which skill or skills they are having difficulty with, we can find the most appropriate instructional method or intervention to address it. You can learn more about the 7 essential literacy skills and what they look like to children, parents and teachers when they are struggling here.

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/literacy challenges and provide extra help and support earlier. Your child’s screening 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 reading/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.