Second Grade Phonics Tips: Build Reading Stamina

As your child becomes a stronger reader, help them build reading stamina, the amount of time they are able to sustain focused independent reading. Just like you’d train for a race by running a few minutes a day before building up to a 30-minute-run, have your child start by reading independently for 5 or 10 minutes a day before adding more time to each session. Break up longer reading sessions by switching up how they read; have them read aloud to you, to a stuffed animal, or to themselves. You can also alternate between favorite storybooks and decodable texts. Decodable books help reinforce phonics skills by giving your child extra practice with the sounds and patterns they’re learning in school. Remember to celebrate their progress as they read for longer stretches of time!