In this post, you’ll learn when children are ready to read three-syllable words and how to teach them in a way that feels manageable and encouraging. With simple, step-by-step strategies, you can help your child move from sounding out short words to tackling longer ones with confidence!

CVC words for beginning readers are one of the most important stepping stones in early reading. Words like cat, hop, and sun help children learn how letters and sounds work together, moving them from phonics practice into reading. In this post, you’ll learn how to make CVC word practice at home simple and fun, with a list of 50 CVC words organized by vowel sound.

Let’s be honest:
Summer reading can feel like a battlefield for some families.

If your second grader is avoiding books like they’re broccoli, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.

But here’s the good news:
With just a few simple tweaks, you can turn “Ugh, do I have to?” into “Wait, can we keep reading?”

Below are 3 unexpected tricks that actually work—especially for second graders who are on the edge of building reading confidence and comprehension.