Children learn to read by reading—but is that enough?

Many people believe that the more children read, the better readers they will become. While practice is important, the reality is more complex.

Children do learn to read by reading—but reading alone is not enough.

In this video, I explore why reading practice by itself does not lead to strong reading development for most children. Drawing from the Science of Reading, I explain how effective reading instruction combines practice with explicit teaching.

We look at how key components such as: phonics and phonological awareness; fluency development; repeated exposure to words (4–14+ times) work together to help children build automatic word recognition and become confident readers.

In this lesson, you will learn:

• Why some children struggle even when they read frequently
• The critical role of phonics and sound–letter knowledge
• Practical ways to support young readers at home and in the classroom

Why Instruction Matters

Unlike speaking, reading is not a natural process. It does not develop automatically through exposure. Children need explicit, systematic instruction and guided practice to learn how to decode and understand text effectively.

Key Takeaway

Instruction teaches children how to read. Practice makes reading automatic.