Science of Reading
What the research really says about how children learn to read.
What Is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading is the large, converging body of research on how children learn to read — and what that evidence means for instruction. In practice, it points to explicit, systematic phonics inside a structured-literacy approach.
The guides below put that evidence to work, covering the structured-literacy practices and instructional routines that research consistently supports.
Reading Motivation For Kids Who Are Still Learning To Decode
Learning to decode is slow, effortful work, and it can wear down a child’s enthusiasm for reading long before the skill itself is solid. A child who…
Read articleIs Your Preschooler Ready To Learn Letter Sounds?
Many parents assume letter sounds are where reading instruction should start. There is actually a step that comes first, and it has nothing to do…
Read articleRed Flags In Popular Reading Curricula
Not every reading curriculum labeled “research-based” reflects current reading research. Some widely used programs still contain instructional…
Read articleAI Storytelling Apps vs Structured Literacy
AI storytelling apps are becoming a regular presence on tablets in homes and classrooms. These are tools that generate and narrate original stories…
Read articleHow Much Phonics Instruction Does A Child Need Per Day?
Parents often wonder exactly how many minutes of phonics instruction their child needs each day, and it’s a fair question to ask. Too little…
Read articleWhy Some Children Learn to Read Earlier Than Others
In any kindergarten classroom, one child is already reading chapter books while another is still working out that letters make sounds. Both can be…
Read articleDo AI Reading Tutors Follow the Science of Reading?
Open the description of almost any reading app, and you will see the same promise: that it is based on the Science of Reading. The phrase has become…
Read articleAre AI Reading Tutors Safe for Children?
When parents ask whether an AI reading tutor is safe, they usually mean two things at once. One is about data, whether a company is recording and…
Read articleCan You Combine Multiple Phonics Programs?
It happens in a lot of homes. The school sends one phonics program, you downloaded a reading app that everyone recommends, and a well-meaning…
Read articleFrequently asked questions
Where should I start with science of reading?
Start with the overview at the top, then use the topics list to jump to the area that matches your needs. Each topic links to a fuller guide.
Who are these science of reading pages for?
Both parents and teachers. The guidance is practical and jargon-free, with classroom and at-home applications throughout.
How often is this guidance updated?
We review our phonics guidance regularly against current reading research, so recommendations stay evidence-based.
Related Sections
Phonics 101
Core concepts, sequencing, and the instructional foundations behind effective phonics teaching.
Explore Phonics 101 →
Phonics Skills
Individual decoding skills from letter sounds and CVC words through vowel teams and syllable types.
Explore Skills →
Struggling Readers
Intervention, dyslexia-informed support, multilingual considerations, and progress monitoring.
Explore Support →