More Reading Support for Grades 1–3: What Parents Should Know

When your child gets stuck on a word, knowing how their teacher would help can make reading together a little easier.

Families with children in Grades 1–3 have a useful reason to start that conversation. The Department of Basic Education has approved its updated Foundation Phase catalogue, and provincial procurement is underway for the next academic year.

What’s changing?

The catalogue provides for:

• 40 readers per class and a Core Reader for each learner.

• Updated materials aligned with the curriculum.

• Resources for Coding and Robotics, alongside stronger support for early reading.

These are planned provisions. Delivery to your child’s school still needs confirmation.

Three questions to ask your school

At your next parent meeting, or through the school’s usual communication channel, ask:

• Which reading books will my child use, and in which language?

• When are the books expected, and can any come home?

• Can the teacher show me how to practise reading with my child?

Before buying extra workbooks, check what the school recommends so your purchases support what your child is learning.

Make reading together easier

Ask the teacher what to do when your child struggles with a word and which questions to ask about a story.

If you notice a recurring difficulty, explain it specifically. “She can read the words but struggles to explain the story” gives the teacher more to work with than “she struggles with reading”.

• Read the DBE’s official announcement.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to become a teacher at home. Knowing which books your child uses and how to help when they get stuck is a useful place to start.