First grade is often seen as the year when reading “clicks,” but phonics can still present significant challenges that impact a child’s confidence and progress. Many young readers struggle to match sounds to letters, blend those sounds smoothly, or recognize patterns in words—skills that require time, repetition, and patience. Some children also face phonemic awareness gaps, which makes it harder for them to hear, isolate, or manipulate the sounds that form words. Others have auditory processing differences that make it difficult for them to distinguish similar sounds. Even when decoding improves, some kids read too quickly and lose meaning, showing that comprehension must grow alongside phonics skills. Limited vocabulary can further stall progress, especially when children read words they can sound out but don’t yet understand. And like any developing skill, inconsistent practice makes it harder for reading strategies to stick. By supporting daily reading habits, discussing new words, practicing blending, slowing down to reinforce meaning, and collaborating with teachers on sound-based activities, parents can help first graders establish a stronger phonics foundation and progress toward more confident, independent reading.
source: https://academyofscholars.com/7-challenges-first-graders-face-when-learning-phonics/
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