How to Help Your Child Get Back On Track With Reading After Break

If your child seems to be struggling with reading after winter break, you’re not alone. This is incredibly common! Even strong readers feel “rusty” after a few weeks away from school.

Parents often notice things like:

• More guessing at words

• Slower reading

• Forgetting sounds and words they used to know

• Losing confidence

• Homework feeling harder than before

This doesn’t mean your child is falling behind. It simply means their reading brain needs a gentle warm-up.

The good news? Just a few simple, hands-on activities can help your child get back on track quickly, without overwhelm, pressure, or long practice sessions. And I put some of my favorites together for you.

Why Kids Struggle After Break

Reading is a skill that depends on consistent practice, and when that practice pauses, kids can:

• Lose automaticity

• Forget common sound patterns

• Revert back to guessing

• Move faster than their brain is ready for

• Feel discouraged and avoid reading

A short reset with the right activities is all most kids need.

Simple Activities That Help Kids Rebuild Skills

Here are a few parent-friendly activities that make a big difference:

1. . Slow-It-Down Reading (Sound-by-Sound Practice)

When kids come back from break, they tend to rush and guess. This quick activity helps them slow down so they can actually hear the word.

How to do it: When your child is reading and they guess a word, prompt them to "say the sounds." Typically we have them tap a thumb to another finger for each sound but some kids prefer to just tap the table. After they say each sound, put the word back together.

Try not to make this sound like a correction, but simply another try at the word.

2. Build-a-Word With Cards (or Sticky Notes)

This gives kids practice putting the sounds into the right order and is great for rebuilding accuracy.

How to do it: Write individual letters or chunks (like sh, ch, st) on small pieces of paper or sticky notes. Give your child a word and let them build it like a puzzle. (If you want more movement, put the papers on the other side of the room.)

3. Quick Movement Games

Kids have a LOT of energy after break. Movement helps their brain focus and learn. You can use your sight words, spelling words, or vocabulary with most games and activities easily.

How to do it: Use one of the games in my January packet or choose from the list below:

• Flashlight hunt

• Giant tic-tac-toe

• Obstacle course with words

• Spell and Swat

This gives them practice without feeling like practice.

4. Tap, Map, and Write

This strategy helps kiddos hear every sound and when they are writing. Head to my explanation post here to read about this or download the freebie to get access to a 'how-to video'.

Grab the Free January Reading Kit

To make this transition easier for families, I created a Free January Reading Kit with:

✨ Activity Bingo

✨ Snowman letter cards to build words

✨ Parent how-to

✨ Printable templates

✨ A whole bunch of low-prep, easy to use, fun activities!

These are the exact strategies I use with my tutoring students when they return from break because they work!

A Gentle Reminder

Needing a reading reset in January is completely normal. Your kiddo isn’t behind. They didn’t “lose everything.” They just need a little warm-up and encouragement.

Small, consistent practice works, especially when it feels fun, doable, and supported.

And I’m right here cheering you on.