As an ex-teacher, I am only too aware that schools ask parents to "hear your child read" without giving any guidance as to what is meant by this and how to do it. So this is a simple practical guide. It tells parents what causes errors and what to say when they occur. It emphasises the need for a sympathetic atmosphere and lots of praise. It includes a simple guide to the complicated business of phonics, but shows that you don't have to understand phonics to "hear your child read" successfully. The second part of the book deals with the question of forming letters correctly and how to practice this. It explains the different forms of writing a child will do at school and also looks at the left-handed child's problems in writing. My aim is to make parents feel comfortable and confident in helping their children at home.