How to Teach Reading to a 5 Year Old
A practical, no-nonsense plan for teaching a 5-year-old to read: phonics order, sight words, and the right books to start with.
Five is the sweet spot for formal reading instruction. A 5-year-old has usually developed enough phonemic awareness, enough attention span, and enough interest to take phonics seriously. Start earlier and you're fighting the child's development; start later and you're racing the school timetable.
The plan, week by week: s, a, t, p, i, n in the first two weeks (with real CVC words like sat, pin, tap already readable). Then c, k, e, h, r, m, d, g, o, u, l, f, b over the next six weeks. Then the harder letters and digraphs. By the end of term one you have a child reading phonetic books.
Alongside phonics, read aloud to them daily from books above their level. Start introducing the first twenty sight words (the, was, said, you, are). This combination — systematic phonics plus daily reading aloud plus sight word drill — is what the Science of Reading research consistently identifies as the fastest path to fluent reading.
Practise With These Free Games
Printable Worksheets to Go With This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to teach a 5-year-old to read?+
Reading simple CVC words (cat, dog, pin) typically within 8 to 12 weeks of daily 10-minute phonics sessions. Fluent reading of phonetic books within 6 to 9 months.
How long should reading sessions be for a 5-year-old?+
10 to 15 minutes of focused instruction is the sweet spot. Plus shared reading aloud sessions as long as the child wants.
What books should a 5-year-old learning to read use?+
Decodable books matched to the phonics sequence taught (Phonics Bug, Oxford Reading Tree, Collins Big Cat). Avoid early readers with irregular words before phonics is secure.
Is my 5-year-old behind if they can't read yet?+
No. Reading readiness varies widely — some children aren't ready until 6 or 7. Consistent exposure matters more than hitting a specific age.