Try this together

A five-minute reading activity to try at home

A few familiar words, a pencil, and five minutes. Keep the activity small enough that your child can finish feeling successful.

This example is for a child who already recognizes the letters and short vowel sounds in these words. If the first word is difficult, model it together or choose an easier activity. This is practice, not a reading assessment.

1. Start with a word your child can read

Write cat in large letters. Say the sounds together: /k/ /a/ /t/. Blend them to read the word. If your child needs help, give it right away: “Let’s do this one together.”

2. Change just one sound

Replace the c with m. Ask, “What changed?” Say the sounds in mat, then blend them. Give your child time to look at the letters.

Use two or three words if that is enough today. Cover the rest of the chain so your child can focus on one word. After reading a word, you can say it aloud, cover it, and invite your child to spell it. Uncover it to check together.

3. Keep mistakes comfortable

Try: “That was a good try. Let’s look at this middle letter together.” Point to the letter, model its sound, and blend the word again. A silly sentence using the word can give you both a quick break.

4. End with something familiar

Return to a word your child read successfully. You might say, “You noticed the letter that changed.” Stop after five minutes, or sooner if your child is frustrated. You do not need to finish the chain.

What to jot down

Keep a simple note for yourself: the words you tried, which your child read independently, and which you modeled together. That gives you something concrete to discuss with a teacher or tutor without turning practice into a test.

Written by Nicolas, a Canadian tutor who has worked with children since 2018. This is an original example of the patient, playful practice used in his online reading and spelling lessons.