Stop Guessing: Why Your Child Struggles with Reading (And What to Do Instead)

Have you ever heard someone say, “Just guess what the word is based on the picture”?

It’s a common piece of advice—something you might hear in schools, see in early reader books, or even find yourself saying without realising. At first glance, it seems helpful. But the truth is, this approach can do more harm than good.

Why Guessing Isn’t Reading

Guessing isn’t reading. And when we teach children to rely on pictures or memorise whole words, we’re not building reading skills—we’re building short-term coping strategies. Strategies that often work for a while… until they don’t.

Children might appear to be reading at first. They breeze through familiar books, recognise a few words, and seem to be making progress. But eventually, they hit a wall. Suddenly, those picture clues aren’t enough.

That’s when the frustration begins. And you might hear: “I’m not good at reading.”

It’s Not Your Child—It’s the Method

Your child isn’t the problem. The method is. When reading becomes a guessing game, kids miss out on the most important skill: decoding.

Reading isn’t about recognising words on flashcards. It’s about understanding how letters and sounds work together—and using that knowledge to read any word, not just familiar ones.

That’s where phonics comes in. Phonics teaches children to decode words, sound by sound, giving them the confidence and ability to read independently.

What You Can Do Instead

If your child is struggling, don’t panic. Here’s how you can help:

• Focus on phonics-based reading, not memorisation
• Help them practise blending sounds
• Choose books that support decoding
• Go slow and celebrate progress

Reading isn’t magic—it’s a skill. And every child can learn it with the right approach.

Because reading isn’t about guessing. It’s about giving your child the tools to read for life.