Reading is the foundation for lifelong success. When children develop a reading habit early, they are more likely to excel in school, perform better in competitive exams, communicate confidently, and become lifelong learners. Strong reading skills contribute significantly to overall language development and academic performance. That said, learning to read isn't always easy.

Many children struggle with various aspects of reading, such as decoding or comprehension. That’s why it’s crucial that you, as a parent, actively support your child’s reading journey and create a nurturing environment for them to grow as readers. Let’s explore the essential types of reading skills your child must develop and how you can help strengthen them.

8 Essential Types of Reading Skills for Children

Children need to develop a combination of reading skills to read confidently and comprehend texts effectively. Below are the eight foundational types of reading skills required for reading success:

1. Decoding

Decoding is the ability to sound out words a child has heard before but hasn't seen in print. It is the first building block in learning how to read. This skill is rooted in phonemic awareness, where children learn to identify, hear, and manipulate the sounds in spoken words. Without decoding, children struggle to make sense of written language, making it difficult to progress to more advanced reading stages.

2. Phonics

Phonics involves recognizing the connection between letters and the sounds they make. It's essential for both reading and spelling. Through phonics, children learn to blend sounds together to form words and segment words into their component sounds to write them accurately. It is one of the most effective strategies in early literacy programs, including those offered by PlanetSpark’s online learning platform.

3. Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary is key to understanding what one reads. The more words a child knows, the easier it is to comprehend the context, make inferences, and enjoy the reading process. PlanetSpark emphasizes vocabulary enrichment as a core pillar of its English programs to help kids build reading fluency and writing confidence.

4. Fluency

Fluency is the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and expression. Fluent readers don't have to stop and decode every word—they read naturally and with proper intonation. Fluency helps children focus on the meaning of the text rather than just identifying individual words. Daily reading practice and exposure to a wide variety of texts help develop this essential skill.

5. Sentence Construction & Cohesion

Though often seen as a writing skill, sentence construction and text cohesion are vital for understanding how ideas are linked in a passage. Cohesive writing helps readers follow the logic and flow of the text, especially in non-fiction materials. Understanding sentence structure enables better retention and interpretation of ideas.

6. Reading Comprehension

This is the ultimate goal of reading—understanding what has been read. It includes identifying key ideas, summarizing information, and drawing conclusions. Whether reading a storybook or an informative article, comprehension requires focus, patience, and a combination of vocabulary knowledge, background information, and logical thinking.

7. Reasoning & Background Knowledge

Children make sense of what they read by connecting it with what they already know. This skill enables them to make predictions, draw inferences, and understand implied meanings. A child with rich background knowledge is more likely to interpret texts accurately and make deeper connections.

8. Working Memory & Attention

These are executive function skills crucial for tracking and remembering information while reading. Children use working memory to retain facts, while attention helps them focus on the task, ensuring effective comprehension. Deficits in these areas may impact a child's ability to stay engaged during reading or retain the meaning of complex texts.

4 Types of Reading Techniques Every Child Should Learn

Understanding the types of reading skills also involves learning different reading techniques that serve specific purposes. Each technique plays a role in improving overall reading proficiency.

1. Skimming

Skimming allows the reader to quickly go through the text to grasp its main idea. Children can use this skill when reading magazines, newspapers, or digital articles where full comprehension isn’t necessary.

2. Scanning

Scanning involves looking for specific information within a text. It’s especially helpful in answering questions in exams or locating a name, date, or definition quickly.

3. Intensive Reading

This technique requires reading carefully and focusing on every word and sentence. It's ideal for studying or analyzing literature, where children need to understand deep meanings, figurative language, and tone.

4. Extensive Reading

Extensive reading is done for pleasure and fluency. Children who engage in storybooks, novels, or comics build a love for reading, often without even realizing they are enhancing vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Why These Types of Reading Skills Matter

Each reading skill and technique supports a different aspect of language development:

• Skimming improves speed and thematic awareness
• Scanning enhances attention to detail
• Intensive reading boosts comprehension and analysis
• Extensive reading develops vocabulary and fluency

A child who masters all these skills becomes a well-rounded, confident reader capable of tackling both academic and real-world reading tasks.

4 Common Reading Problems in Children

Even with strong support, children may face reading challenges. Understanding these issues helps parents and teachers intervene early.

1. Decoding Difficulties

Struggling with decoding could point to learning disabilities or hearing/vision issues. Repeated practice with phonics-based reading programs, like the one offered by PlanetSpark, can help resolve such issues.

2. Poor Comprehension

If your child can read fluently but can’t explain what they’ve read, they may struggle with comprehension. Encourage discussions about what they read and ask open-ended questions.

3. Slow Reading Speed

Slow readers often get exhausted quickly. This could be due to processing difficulties. Repeated exposure to high-frequency words and personalized reading support may help them read faster and more confidently.

4. Mixed Reading Issues

Children with multiple reading difficulties—such as decoding and comprehension problems—require individualized learning plans and may benefit greatly from professional assessment.

How to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills

Here are practical strategies parents can use at home:

• Observe reading patterns and identify where your child struggles.
• Discuss with teachers or tutors for additional insights.
• Use flashcards and sight word games to improve word recognition.
• Select books with illustrations that match the text to aid understanding.
• Praise effort, not just results. Confidence plays a big role in reading progress.
• Make reading a daily habit through bedtime stories or shared reading.

How PlanetSpark Helps Your Child Become a Better Reader

PlanetSpark’s online learning platform offers a comprehensive English Reading and Writing Program for children aged 4–14. Here’s how it stands out:

Focus Areas Include:

• Phonics & decoding for early learners
• Vocabulary building through interactive games
• Reading comprehension strategies using engaging passages
• Creative reading tasks that encourage critical thinking
• Personalized feedback from expert educators

With one-on-one live classes, AI-powered progress tracking, and gamified learning experiences, PlanetSpark turns reading into a fun and enriching habit. Whether your child struggles with decoding, vocabulary, or comprehension, PlanetSpark’s reading programs are custom-designed to meet their unique needs and help them become fluent and confident readers.

Wrapping Up

Helping your child become a better reader doesn’t happen overnight—it requires patience, encouragement, and the right guidance. By understanding the types of reading skills, identifying areas of improvement, and choosing platforms like PlanetSpark, you can transform your child's reading journey into a lifelong love for learning. Book a Free Trial Today and unlock your child’s reading potential!