K-3 Reading Red Flags Checklist (Free) — A Teacher's Guide for Parents

Is your child guessing at words, or actually reading them?

This free checklist was built by a real 1st–3rd grade classroom teacher to help you spot early reading red flags — grade by grade, from Kindergarten through Grade 3 — before small gaps turn into bigger struggles.

Grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with the Ontario Language Curriculum, this isn't generic parenting advice. It's the same kind of lens I use in my own classroom to know which students need extra support, and when.

Inside, you'll find:

✔ Grade-by-grade red flags to watch for (K–3)

✔ The difference between real decoding and "fake reading"

✔ A simple next step if you check several boxes

No jargon. No worksheets. Just a clear, honest starting point.

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Meet Your Teacher: David Symchych

Hi! I'm David. I am an Ontario-certified 1st–3rd grade classroom teacher, reading specialist, and the founder of Reading Boost.

In my classroom, I see firsthand how the right, science-backed instruction can completely transform a child's reading journey. But I also see how stressful it can be for parents at home who want to help but don't know where to start, or are tired of fighting over worksheets.

That's why I created Reading Boost. My mission is to bridge the gap between classroom science and the kitchen table.

Every resource, checklist, and guide I share is grounded in the Science of Reading (SoR), aligned with the Ontario Language Curriculum, and designed to be quick, stress-free, and — most importantly — fun for your child.

No guessing, no boring drills — just simple, proven strategies that work.

Let's get your child reading with confidence!

Need more personalized support? I also offer highly targeted, 1:1 Science of Reading tutoring to close your child's specific reading gaps. Feel free to reach out to me on social media or email to learn more!

📧 Email: Davidsymchychreadingboost@gmail.com

📱 WhatsApp: 647-823-1975

📸 Instagram: @davidsymchychreadingboost

📘 Facebook: Reading Boost

▶️ YouTube: @readingboost

🎵 TikTok: @reading.boost