Parental engagement plays a vital role in children’s reading success. When families are actively involved, children practise more often, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Yet, many schools find it challenging to engage all parents consistently. At Monster Phonics, we support schools by providing practical tools and resources to make it easier for families to feel confident about helping with reading at home.
Research continues to show that children progress more quickly in phonics and reading when home and school work together. When parents understand how phonics is taught and know simple ways to help, they can reinforce learning daily.
It’s worth remembering that children spend only around 15% of their waking hours in school. The rest of the time is spent at home or in the wider community, which is why parental involvement is so crucial. Parents are, in fact, a child’s first educators, and the support they provide at home has a lasting impact on learning outcomes.
For schools, strong parental engagement means:
· Quicker progress – children revisit sounds and words more regularly.
· Consistency – approaches at home match what is being taught in school.
· Motivation – children see reading valued by both teachers and parents.
Even with the best intentions, schools often face barriers to engaging parents. Parents may feel unsure about phonics, lack time to attend workshops, or worry about “doing it wrong”. Some families face additional barriers, such as language differences or limited access to resources.
These challenges are real — but with the right support, schools can build parent confidence and create stronger home–school partnerships.
Year Group Parent Workshop PPTs To help schools introduce Monster Phonics to families, we provide clear, year-group specific workshop presentations. These ready-to-use slides give parents a straightforward overview of phonics and early reading, making it easier for them to understand how to support their child. Schools can deliver them at parent meetings or adapt them for online sharing. You can find them HERE.
New Parent Information Videos We have also created a series of short, bite-sized Parent Information Videos. These are designed to make phonics accessible and less daunting for parents.
The videos:
· Explain phonics simply and clearly.
· Share easy ideas for supporting reading at home.
· Encourage parents to feel confident rather than anxious.
👉 Watch the Parent Information Videos HERE
Schools can use the videos in workshops, share them in newsletters, or direct families to them as a practical, ongoing support.
Building strong parental engagement doesn’t always require large-scale initiatives — often, it’s about small, consistent steps that make families feel welcome, informed, and supported. Here are some approaches that schools may find effective:
1. Keep sessions short and approachable Short, informal workshops (20–30 minutes) are often easier for parents to attend. The Year Group Workshop PPTs are ideal for this format, giving staff a simple and engaging structure to deliver.
2. Share one idea at a time Parents can feel overwhelmed if given too much information. Drip-feed advice — for example, one “reading tip of the week” sent via newsletters, texts, or digital platforms.
3. Use multiple channels of communication Not all families can attend in-person events. Sharing the Parent Information Videos via email, school apps, or social media helps reach those who cannot be there in person.
4. Celebrate parent involvement Acknowledging parents’ efforts, even in small ways, can be motivating. Highlight examples of home reading in newsletters or at assemblies.
5. Remove barriers wherever possible Provide translated guides, subtitles on videos, or offer recordings. Consider flexible times and child-friendly sessions.
6. Encourage two-way communication Invite parents to share feedback, questions, or successes. A simple reading log or quick conversations at pick-up can strengthen trust.
7. Link engagement to real impact Show parents how their support makes a difference — for example, pointing out improvements in fluency or confidence that have come from home reading.
New Parent Information Videos – Supporting Reading at Home Helping with reading at home can sometimes feel tricky — but you’re not alone. We’re excited to share a new set of short, bite-sized Monster Phonics Parent Information Videos.
These videos explain phonics in a clear and simple way and give you easy ideas to support your child with confidence. They’re designed to help you make reading fun, manageable, and enjoyable at home.
👉 Watch the Parent Information Videos HERE
Parental engagement is not always easy, but it makes a significant difference to children’s progress in reading. With children spending most of their time outside of school, and parents acting as their first educators, building strong home–school partnerships is essential. By combining small, consistent strategies with supportive resources such as the Year Group Workshop PPTs and the Parent Information Videos, schools can give parents the tools and reassurance they need. The result is children who feel more confident, capable, and excited about reading.
👉 Next Step for Schools: Consider sharing the Parent Videos with families this term, or running a short workshop using the Year Group PPTs, to strengthen parental engagement in phonics and reading.