If you are a parent to a child who is learning how to read, you may very well have heard of something called decodable readers. But what are decodable readers? How do they help your child learn to read? Should decodable readers make up the majority of your child's reading? Let’s break down what decodable readers are good for and how they help.

What Are Decodable Readers?

Decodable readers  are books that are specifically written to help kids practice reading words with patterns they have been explicitly taught how to decode or sound out. For example, once a child is taught how to read short words that are made up of the consonant-vowel-consonant pattern (examples: dog, cat, lug, run, dig, etc.), they can practice reading them out loud through a decodable reader that is specifically written to only include words within that pattern.

Decodable Readers: What They're Good For

Decodable readers are great for practicing newly acquired decoding skills and building oral reading fluency. Mastery of these skills is critical for both fluent reading and ultimately, reading comprehension. But it’s tough to write a riveting story using just CVC words. Therefore, it's essential to understand their role in your child's reading journey.

Read-Aloud Books: The Key to Building Knowledge and Vocabulary

While decodable readers are incredibly important, they are not great for reading aloud with your kids to enjoy a good book together. You will need to have a different set of read-aloud books at home for that. Read-aloud books are for building background knowledge, increasing vocabulary, and enjoying the power of a good story. Your child needs access to both types of reading exposure to learn how to be a proficient and confident reader.

Practice, the Key to Reading Fluency

Just like with learning any new skill, once we’ve been explicitly taught how to do it, we need to practice it. Over and over and over. Out-loud reading practice of newly taught decoding skills is the key to moving from choppy decoding to fluent reading. Fluent reading is the key to understanding what you are reading, which is, of course, the whole point of reading.

I’m currently working on learning Italian through the DuoLingo app. I work through a 5-minute lesson where I learn a few new vocabulary words and phrases. From there, I have to practice saying these words and phrases out loud and trying to use them appropriately in my everyday conversation. Or if you are learning the violin, like my daughter is, you practice the scales your teacher shows you between lessons. This applied practice of an explicitly taught skill is the key to mastering something new.

Balancing Decodable and Read Aloud Books

So while decodable readers are wonderful for this applied practice of new decoding skills, they are not great books for teaching your kids new vocabulary words, increasing their background knowledge about the world around them, or helping them fall in love with the power of a good story. You will need to use robust read-aloud books for this, which are basically well-written, beautifully illustrated books that you will need to read aloud to your child or have them listen to via audiobook. They are there to meet and expand your child’s comprehension skills, while decodable readers are there to meet and expand your child’s decoding and fluency skills.

Getting Started with Decodable Readers

If you want to know where to get started with building your decodable reader library at home, check out High Noon books. They are one of my favorite vendors for decodable readers. If you want help figuring out which set to order for your child, sign up for Redwood’s free virtual event coming up over President’s Day weekend. You can see the details HERE.

Building Your Robust Read-Aloud Library

If you want to know where to get started with building your robust, read-aloud library at home, check out this list from Goodreads to get started. As well as visit your local library to check out the books you remember and cherish from your own childhood.

A Model for Accessible Decodable Readers

PS: One next step is checking out Chicago Public Library’s Jump Into Reading campaign and reading through their blog post that outlines how to use decodables with your child. To see a public library system work intentionally to build decodable book sets available at no cost to families around the city is an inspiring step. I hope many cities will follow in Chicago’s footsteps, as one of the primary barriers to children who need decodables getting their hands on them is lack of access.

Seeking Support for Dyslexia

PSS: If you find yourself resonating with this article, google “dyslexia tutoring near me” to find support. Connecting with a knowledgeable professional can be transformative in empowering you with what you need to support your child with dyslexia. Also, reach out to other parents. You can google “dyslexia parent groups near me”, ask around at your child’s school, or attend a local event with dyslexia as its theme.

Redwood Literacy and Redwood Schools: Here to Help

Redwood Literacy and Redwood Schools are also here to help if we can. In fact, we are hosting a free virtual event to help you find the right decodable reader for your child. Sign up HERE.