How to Use BrainySheets at Home: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Early Readers

You don’t need a teaching degree to help your child become a confident reader. With BrainySheets.com, parents have access to free, research-based reading worksheets that are easy to use—and actually work. Whether you're homeschooling, tutoring, or just looking to support school learning, here’s how to make the most of it.

1. Start with the Right Level

BrainySheets are organized by both grade level and phonics skill, so you can easily match your child’s current reading ability. If your child is still sounding out words, start with decodable texts like:

• Short vowel CVC words (e.g., cat, bed, hop)

• Beginning blends and digraphs

• Silent e and long vowel teams

If your child is reading more fluently, move to the leveled reading worksheets by grade or Fountas & Pinnell level, which include fiction and nonfiction comprehension passages.

2. Read Together First

Each worksheet includes a short story and targeted reading skill.
Sit next to your child and read it together. You can:

• Let them try first while you offer help sounding out words

• Take turns reading lines or sentences

• Model fluent reading, then let them reread aloud

This builds confidence and fluency without pressure.

3. Use the Coaching Guide

Each BrainySheet includes a parent/teacher guide with:

• A short script for before, during, and after reading

• Key discussion questions

• Vocabulary to preview

• A simple activity idea to reinforce learning

Even if you’re not familiar with reading instruction, the guide walks you through exactly what to say and do.

4. Don’t Skip the Comprehension Questions

Every story includes comprehension questions that cover:

• Literal understanding

• Inference

• Vocabulary

• Personal connection

Encourage your child to explain their thinking, not just pick an answer. This builds comprehension and oral language skills.

5. Make It Fun and Consistent

You don’t need to do hours of reading each day.
Even 15 minutes of BrainySheets a few times a week adds up. Keep it light and encouraging, and let your child color, draw, or act out parts of the story afterward to boost engagement.