At-Home Practices

Did you struggle to learn how to read as a child—and now feel unsure how to help your own children? You’re not alone. Millions of adults were never taught phonics, and many discover later in life that their reading challenges were rooted in missing foundational skills, not ability. In this post, I explain why so many capable adults struggled with reading, how research-backed phonics instruction changes outcomes, and what parents can do now to confidently support their childr

Small, realistic reading habits make a big difference. These goals help families build confidence, connection, and a love of reading.

Does your child rush through reading and skip words? This post breaks down simple, research-based strategies to help children slow down, read accurately, and build stronger comprehension—without damaging confidence. Learn how to use a “no guessing” agreement, easy fix-up steps, eye-tracking supports, and confidence-building language to help your child become a more careful, self-monitoring reader.

✨ Elkonin Boxes Made Simple Elkonin boxes are a powerful early literacy tool that help children break words into individual sounds. Each sound gets its own box, giving kids a clear visual for segmenting and blending. Just draw a few boxes, say a word slowly, and let your child push a token into each box as they say the sounds. It’s an easy, hands-on way to build phonemic awareness—right at home!

What Reading Skills Look Like at Every Age From recognizing letters to confidently reading chapter books, children develop reading skills in predictable stages. This guide breaks down what literacy growth typically looks like from ages 3–10—so you’ll know what to expect, how to support your reader, and when to seek extra help. Whether your child is just beginning to explore books or moving into fluent reading, these milestones will help you understand their journey and how t

Helping your child doesn’t require an official dyslexia diagnosis—just early awareness, steady support, and the right tools. In this guide, you’ll learn common signs of dyslexia, parent-friendly structured literacy programs you can use at home, and simple daily routines that build strong reading skills. You’ll also find recommendations for decodable books, phonemic awareness resources, and tips for supporting vocabulary and confidence. If your child is struggling with readin

Help your child build stronger reading and spelling skills with these short, simple videos that make tricky phonics rules easy to understand. From when to use C or K to mastering endings like -ck, -dge, and even the FLOSS rule, these clips offer clear guidance that pairs beautifully with intentional teaching moments. Pause, practice, and watch your child’s confidence grow!

So many children struggle to read—and it’s not their fault. In this post, I bust common reading myths and share research-based strategies that actually help kids become confident, capable readers.