My Child Struggled in the Year 1 Phonics Check. What Happens Next?
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Receiving your child's Year 1 Phonics Check results can be an emotional experience.
Many parents leave school wondering:
"Does this mean my child has dyslexia?"
"Will they fall behind?"
"Have I done something wrong?"
The good news is that a lower phonics score does not define your child's future.
In fact, one of the main reasons Australian schools use the Year 1 Phonics Check is to identify children who need extra support while they are still young enough to make rapid progress.
With the right teaching and early support, many children quickly catch up and become confident readers.
What Is the Year 1 Phonics Check?
The Year 1 Phonics Check is a short assessment used in Australian schools to measure how well children can apply their phonics knowledge when reading words.
During the assessment, children read a list of real words and "alien" (made-up) words.
These made-up words help teachers see whether a child is decoding words by using letter sounds rather than relying on memory or guessing.
The assessment usually takes only a few minutes and is completed one-to-one with a teacher.
What Does a Lower Score Mean?
A lower score simply tells us that your child needs more support with one or more early reading skills.
It does not automatically mean your child has dyslexia.
Many children need additional practice with:
recognising letter-sound relationships
blending sounds into words
reading unfamiliar words
hearing individual sounds within spoken words
building reading confidence
These skills can all be taught through explicit, systematic instruction.
Signs Your Child May Need Extra Reading Support
You may notice that your child:
guesses words instead of sounding them out
skips difficult words
reads slowly or hesitates often
avoids reading aloud
becomes frustrated during homework
remembers familiar words but struggles with new ones
loses confidence when reading
If several of these signs sound familiar, early support can make a significant difference.
What Should Parents Do Next?
Talk to Your Child's Teacher
Ask which reading skills need the most support.
Helpful questions include:
Which sounds are proving difficult?
Is blending the main challenge?
What can we practise at home?
Is my child making steady progress?
Read Together Every Day
Even 10–15 minutes of enjoyable reading each day helps build confidence.
Choose books that match your child's current reading level so they experience success.
Encourage Sounding Out
When your child comes to an unfamiliar word, encourage them to:
look at every letter
say each sound
blend the sounds together
Avoid asking them to guess from the picture or the first letter.
Seek Support Early
If your child continues to struggle despite classroom support, targeted reading intervention can help close the gap before reading difficulties begin affecting confidence and learning in other subjects.
Can Children Catch Up?
Yes.
This is one of the most encouraging messages parents can hear.
Children's brains are highly adaptable during the early primary years.
With explicit, evidence-based teaching and regular practice, many children who struggle in Year 1 go on to become confident, capable readers.
The key is acting early rather than waiting to see if the difficulty disappears on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lower Phonics Check score mean my child has dyslexia?
No. The assessment identifies children who may benefit from additional reading support. A lower score alone is not enough to diagnose dyslexia.
Should I be worried?
It's natural to feel concerned, but the purpose of the Phonics Check is to identify children early so they can receive support before reading difficulties become more significant.
How long does it take to catch up?
Every child is different. Many children make excellent progress within a few months when they receive structured, consistent reading instruction.
Can I help my child at home?
Absolutely. Reading together every day, practising letter sounds, and using decodable books can make a meaningful difference.
Final Thoughts
Learning to read is one of the most important milestones in your child's education.
A lower score in the Year 1 Phonics Check does not determine your child's future.
With the right support, patience and evidence-based teaching, children can build the skills and confidence they need to become successful readers.
Ready to Find Out How Your Child Is Really Reading?
Our online Reading Assessment identifies your child's current reading skills, highlights areas of difficulty, and provides personalised recommendations for the next steps.
Book a Reading Assessment today and give your child the support they need to become a confident reader.
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