When four-year-old Emma visits Grandma Sarah, magic happens. They curl up in the old rocking chair, open a favorite picture book, and suddenly letters transform into adventures. Grandma points to words, makes silly voices for characters, and celebrates every sound Emma makes. This scene plays out in countless homes where grandparents become cherished reading partners, creating literacy memories that last a lifetime.

The Special Gift Grandparents Bring to Reading

Grandparents possess unique qualities that make them natural phonics partners. Unlike parents juggling work deadlines and household responsibilities, grandparents often have the luxury of unhurried time. They can linger over a single page, repeat favorite passages, and follow a child’s curiosity wherever it leads.

The Power of Intergenerational Learning

When grandparents and grandchildren read together, both generations benefit. Children gain literacy skills while grandparents experience the joy of contributing meaningfully to their grandchild’s education. This partnership creates bonds that extend far beyond reading sessions.

Grandparents often have different teaching styles from parents or teachers, offering fresh perspectives that can unlock learning for children who might struggle in other settings. Their patience, combined with genuine delight in their grandchild’s progress, creates an ideal environment for phonics development.

Understanding Phonics at Every Stage

Let’s walk through the phonics that your grandkid may be the right age to learn.

Pre-Readers (Ages 2-4)

At this stage, children are developing phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and play with sounds in words. They’re learning that books have meaning and that letters represent sounds.

Key Skills to Support

• Recognizing that words are made up of individual sounds
• Identifying rhyming words
• Recognizing some letters, especially those in their name
• Understanding that text flows from left to right

Early Readers (Ages 4-6)

Children begin connecting letters with their sounds and attempting to blend simple words. They develop sight word recognition and can often read simple, predictable books.

Key Skills to Support

• Letter-sound correspondence
• Blending simple consonant-vowel-consonant words
• Recognizing common sight words
• Building reading fluency with familiar texts

Developing Readers (Ages 6-8)

These children can read simple chapter books and are working on more complex phonics patterns like vowel teams and consonant blends.

Key Skills to Support

• Advanced phonics patterns
• Reading with expression and fluency
• Expanding vocabulary through context
• Comprehension strategies

Eight Simple Strategies for Grandparent Reading Success

Here are some simple ways to support your grandchild’s reading journey.

1. Create Your Special Reading Space

Designate a cozy corner where reading adventures happen. This might be a comfortable armchair, a pile of soft pillows, or even a reading tent made from blankets. Having a special place signals that reading time is important and creates positive associations.

Stock your space with age-appropriate books, a small basket for storing favorites, and perhaps a special reading lamp. When grandchildren know they have their own reading spot at your house, they’ll look forward to spending time there.

2. Master the Art of Slow Reading

Pause to discuss pictures, predict what happens next, and let your grandchild ask questions without worrying about finishing the book.

Point to words as you read them, helping children understand that print carries meaning. When you encounter words that follow phonics patterns your grandchild is learning, emphasize those sounds naturally. For example, if they’re working on the “ch” sound, make it fun when you read “chair” or “chocolate.”

3. Bring Stories to Life with Your Voice

A theatrical approach helps children distinguish between different parts of text and keeps them engaged.

Don’t worry about being perfect—children love authentic enthusiasm more than polished performance. Make animal sounds, use whisper voices for secrets, and boom out loud voices for monsters. Your grandchild will remember these animated reading sessions long after they’ve mastered reading independently.

4. Turn Everyday Moments into Phonics Practice

Reading opportunities exist everywhere in your daily routine together:

• Read cereal boxes and food labels during breakfast
• Sound out street signs during walks
• Practice letters while writing grocery lists
• Identify beginning sounds of items around the house

These natural phonics moments feel like games rather than lessons, making learning enjoyable and stress-free.

5. Embrace Repetition with Joy

Children love hearing the same stories repeatedly, and this repetition is crucial for phonics development. Each reading builds familiarity with words, strengthens letter-sound connections, and increases confidence.

Instead of feeling bored by the tenth reading of a favorite book, celebrate your grandchild’s growing ability to predict words, “read” along from memory, and notice new details. This repetition is building crucial neural pathways for reading success.

6. Make Letters Come Alive Through Touch

Engage multiple senses to strengthen phonics learning:

• Trace letters in finger paint or shaving cream
• Form letters using play-dough or clay
• Write letters in sand or rice
• Use textured letter cards for tactile exploration

These hands-on activities help children remember letter shapes and sounds more effectively than visual methods alone. Plus, they’re naturally fun and engaging for both grandparents and grandchildren.

7. Connect Reading to Your Grandchild’s World

Choose books that reflect your grandchild’s interests and experiences. If they love trucks, find books about construction vehicles. If they’re fascinated by cooking, read recipes together and discuss ingredient names.

Share books from your own childhood or stories about family history. These personal connections make reading meaningful and help children understand that books connect us across generations and experiences.

8. Celebrate Every Step Forward

When your grandchild successfully sounds out a new word, recognizes a letter, or shows interest in a book, make it a big deal.

Keep a simple reading journal where you record favorite books, new words learned, or funny comments your grandchild makes during reading. This record becomes a treasured keepsake while showing your grandchild that their reading progress matters to you.

Overcome Common Grandparent Concerns

Don’t let any of these concerns hold you back.

“I Don’t Know the New Teaching Methods”

Modern phonics instruction has evolved, but the fundamentals remain the same. Focus on what you do well—creating a loving environment where reading feels enjoyable. Your enthusiasm and patience matter more than knowing the latest educational techniques.

“My Grandchild Seems Frustrated”

When children struggle with reading, keep sessions short and positive. Choose books slightly below their current level to build confidence, and remember that your role is to make reading enjoyable, not to push academic progress.

If frustration continues, focus on being read to rather than reading independently. Hearing fluent reading helps children develop language skills and maintain positive associations with books.

“We Live Far Apart”

Distance doesn’t have to limit your reading partnership. Technology offers wonderful ways to share stories:

• Video call while reading the same book
• Record yourself reading your favorite stories to send
• Mail books with personal notes inside
• Create digital photo books about your adventures together

The Lasting Impact of Your Reading Partnership

When grandparents serve as reading partners, they give their grandchildren far more than phonics skills. They provide a foundation of literacy confidence, a love of stories, and memories of feeling valued and supported during their learning process.

For more ideas about supporting young readers, age-appropriate book recommendations, and simple phonics activities perfect for grandparents, visit Phonics.org regularly. Together, we can help every child experience the joy and confidence that comes with reading success.