At Glasshouse Christian College, we are always seeking to deepen our understanding of how children learn best, especially when it comes to reading. Recently, our Primary staff participated in a seminar on the Science of Reading, a growing body of research that explores how reading actually works in the brain and how we can best support students on their journey to becoming confident, capable readers.

So, what is the Science of Reading? Simply put, it’s not a program or a one-size-fits-all method. Instead, it draws from decades of research across fields like education, psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics to help us understand how children learn to read and why some may struggle.

The research shows that reading is not something that comes naturally, like speaking. It needs to be taught explicitly and systematically. This includes teaching children how sounds in words (phonemes) connect with letters (graphemes), how to decode unfamiliar words, build fluency, grow their vocabulary, and make sense of what they read.

You may hear your child talking about “sounding out” words or practising with decodable texts. These are all part of a structured, research-informed approach that helps lay strong foundations for reading success.

The Science of Reading also helps us understand the different stages children move through as they develop into skilled readers. In the early years, children focus heavily on learning to decode, which involves breaking words into sounds and blending them together. As their fluency improves, they can shift more attention to comprehending what they read.

This approach also places a strong emphasis on language development, which includes vocabulary, sentence structure, and background knowledge. These elements are just as essential as phonics for strong comprehension and lifelong literacy.

At our school, staff draw on these insights to enhance and support their teaching of reading in the classroom. We’re committed to ongoing professional learning and using research to guide our practice. Our goal is to ensure every child builds the skills and confidence needed to become not just a reader, but a joyful, independent one. We believe that with strong foundations, children are well prepared for all areas of learning.

Sarah Jennings, Primary Curriculum Coordinator