How guessing shows up
- looks only at the start of the word
- guesses from context or the picture
- reads one memorised word then fails the next
- avoids unfamiliar words
- loses confidence when recognition does not come instantly
Why it happens
Because the child cannot yet use the sounds and structure of a word reliably enough to reach the reading. They have built a survival strategy: recognise rather than decode. It works for short, familiar words — and collapses as soon as the text gets harder.
What helps
They need a clearer, progressive, guided path into real reading: sounds first, then words, then sentences and stories. Every sound taught unlocks dozens of new words.
In the free assessment, I identify whether your child is reading or guessing — and show a short demonstration of how the lessons work.
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