So your child is starting to read, and suddenly you keep hearing the word “decoding.” But what does that even mean?

Put simply, decoding is when kids look at the letters on a page and turn them into the sounds that make up words.

It’s what we often call “sounding it out.” For us as adults, reading feels second nature, but for new readers, this is a huge milestone. Mastering decoding is one of the key steps that helps kids go from simply recognizing letters to actually reading with confidence.

If you’re new here — hi! I’m Miss Beth, the founder of Big City Readers. Welcome! Around here, we use the five pillars of early literacy (read, write, sing, talk, and play) along with the science-backed Orton-Gillingham approach to make reading fun, doable, and exciting for kids. I share this work through my workshops and courses (both online and in person) and with our community of over 140k families on Instagram.

What is decoding in reading?

At its core, decoding is just recognizing letter sounds and turning them into words.

When you and I see the word "cat," we just read it automatically. But your child? They're looking at those three letters—c, a, t—recognizing each sound, and blending them together. That's decoding in action.

It's basically the fancy term for "sounding it out."

As adults who've been reading for decades, this feels automatic. But for kids, it's a brand-new skill they're building from scratch.

Here's why it matters so much: strong decoding skills mean kids don't have to guess words by looking at pictures or memorizing how words look. They can actually read them.

That's the foundation of everything that comes next!

Not every classroom covers decoding.

When I was a classroom teacher, I was trained to teach kids to read mainly through memorization and sight words. That was the standard approach then, and honestly, it still is in many classrooms today. But once I was face-to-face with my students, I saw how much this method left kids struggling and frustrated.

That real-world experience is what pushed me to dig into the science of reading. What I learned changed everything: while memorizing a handful of common words (I love using the HEART method for these) has its place, kids need so much more.

They need the skills to decode — to sound out words and recognize patterns — so they can read almost any word they come across. Without decoding, kids end up guessing.

And guessing is not reading.

Examples of decoding

So what does decoding actually look like in real life? Here are a few simple examples you might notice as your child starts to build this skill:

Blending sounds: Your child sees the letters c-a-t and slowly says each sound — /c/ /a/ /t/ — before blending them together to say “cat.”
Breaking apart a bigger word: They look at sand and separate it into chunks: s-an-d, then blend it back together.
Tackling new patterns: When they come across ship, they don’t guess “sip” or “shop” — they recognize that sh makes a single sound, and use that to read the whole word.
Checking for meaning: A child might first say “hopse” for horse, then stop, think about the sounds again, and correct themselves. That self-correction is an important part of decoding!

When kids learn how to sound out letters and patterns, they’re equipped to tackle almost any word they come across. They feel confident, capable, and excited to read because reading makes sense.

And this is the heart of the Big City Readers method: skills build on skills. Once your child understands how sounds connect to letters, they can stack that knowledge to unlock bigger patterns, longer words, and, eventually, fluent reading.

Have you heard about decodable passages?

Now that you’re in the world of decoding. You may see the terms “decodable passages”, “decodables”, or even “decodable books” in your research.

But what are they?

Decodables are short texts designed with specific phonics patterns to help your child strengthen their decoding muscles, or in other words, learn to read. These can be books, worksheets, and other resources to help your child learn the correct way to read.

Good decodables don’t rely on pictures, context clues, or memorization but instead give kids the chance to practice sounding out words, build fluency, and feel like real readers.

Parents CAN teach their child to learn to read the RIGHT way!

If you want an easy, fun-filled way to practice decoding at home while feeling confident in what you’re teaching, our Decodable Passages and The Ultimate Learning To Read Workbook Bundle is the perfect tool for you. These guides were created to equip parents with the knowledge and resources to make reading practice effective and engaging. Here’s what you can expect:

Decodable Passages: A collection of starter stories and sentences designed for kids to practice blending and applying the sounds they already know into real words.
The Ultimate Learning To Read Workbook: 48 pages packed with fun, hands-on activities and worksheets. These exercises reinforce letter sounds, word building, and decoding skills in a way that feels like play rather than work.

I hear success stories from parents about how much their child is growing as a reader and how much fun they’re having while doing it, all the time. Parents tell me their kids light up when they realize they’re reading on their own! With this bundle, not only is your child being equipped with fun and engaging reading material, but you can also rest easy knowing your child is learning to read the right way.

Start Decoding Now

Start With My Decodable Favorites

If you’re looking for decodable books that can be used as a bedtime story or during daily reading practice, here are some of my favorites:

Phonic Books Dandelion World
In the Meadow: Volume 16 (Half-Pint Series)
Hog on a Log: An Acorn Book
Five Chapter Books
Phonic Books Dandelion Launchers Extras Stages 1-7 I Am Sam

While BOB Books aren't my top recommendation, many families already own them or are curious about them. This may be a hot take, but I believe there is a right and a wrong way to use BOB books. I break down what they are and how to use them strategically in this blog post: BOB Books for Reading. Just remember—they're one option among many great tools for supporting early readers!

If Your Child Is Struggling to Decode, Use These Tips

Many parents worry when decoding does not click right away. Here are some common mistakes I see kids making and how you can help them as a parent or teacher:

Letter reversals (b/d or p/q): This is common and usually resolves with practice and more familiarity with letters.
Guessing words by pictures: Cover the image and guide them to look at the letters first. Praise effort, not speed, to shift focus to the decoding process.
Blending struggles: Slow it down. Stretch the sounds a little longer so your child can hear the connection.

Remember, decoding is a skill that develops over time. Patience, encouragement, and consistent practice are key.

FAQ: Decoding for Kids

1. At what age should kids start decoding?
It’s never really too soon to start learning. Most kids begin learning basic decoding skills in kindergarten (around ages 5–6), but exposure to letter sounds and playful practice can begin earlier through songs and games.

2. Do decodable books replace storybooks?
No! Decodable books are for targeted practice. Continue reading storybooks aloud to build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love for reading.

3. What if my child guesses words or skips them?
This is common. Gently redirect them to look at the letters and sound them out. Consistent modeling and practice help break the guessing habit.

4. Is decoding the same as phonemic awareness?
Not quite. Phonemic awareness is hearing and manipulating sounds, while decoding takes written letters and sounds them out into real words.

What to Remember About Decoding

Decoding may sound like a big, complicated word, but in reality, it’s the heart of learning to read. By giving kids the tools to sound out words instead of guessing, we’re setting the stage for them to become confident and independent readers. With the right mix of patience, practice, and fun resources like decodables, workbooks, and guided activities, you can support your child every step of the way.

Remember, decoding doesn’t click overnight. It’s a skill that grows stronger with time and encouragement, and every small step forward is a big win for your reader.

Tell me how your child is growing in their decoding skills with these tips in the comments. I’d love to hear from you! Want more reading support? Check out my post on Phonological Awareness vs Phonics, or these other blogs:

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