You walk into the library, excited to find books for your kindergartener who’s just starting to read. The children’s section offers hundreds of brightly colored early readers. They all look educational. They’re all labeled for beginning readers. So you grab a stack, head home, and settle in for reading time. But ten minutes later, your […]
You’re snuggled up with your little one, reading their favorite picture book for the hundredth time. Instead of just reading the words on the page, you pause and ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Can you find something blue on this page?” Suddenly, your child leans in, points excitedly, and chatters about […]
Most parents naturally reach for storybooks when reading with their children. There’s something magical about cuddling up with a picture book or an exciting chapter book that sparks imagination. But what about science and social studies books? These content-rich texts often sit neglected on library shelves, yet they offer powerful benefits for young readers—especially those […]
Your child is bright and eager to learn, but reading seems to cause them physical discomfort. They complain of headaches during homework time, rub their eyes frequently while looking at books, or describe letters as “moving” or “blurry” on the page. Despite having perfect vision according to their eye doctor, reading remains a struggle that […]
Your child demonstrates remarkable creativity and advanced thinking skills, yet struggles with basic reading tasks. They can discuss complex topics with sophisticated vocabulary but stumble over simple words on a page. If this sounds familiar, you might be parenting a twice-exceptional reader—a child who is both intellectually gifted and has a learning difference. Understanding this […]
A first-grade teacher holds up a book and points to a word her student doesn’t recognize. Instead of helping the child sound it out letter by letter, she encourages them to look at the picture, think about what would make sense in the story, and guess. This scene has played out in countless American classrooms […]
Your five-year-old can perfectly sound out “s-a-d” in their early reader book, but looks puzzled when the next page uses “gloomy” instead. They breeze through phonics worksheets but stumble when books use words like “furious” instead of “mad” or “enormous” instead of “big.” Welcome to the vocabulary gap—the hidden reading roadblock that trips up countless […]
Your four-year-old asks big questions. “Why do we have different families?” “What does a mayor do?” “Where do firefighters sleep?” These aren’t just cute kid questions; they’re the foundation of social studies learning! PreK children (typically 4-5 year olds in the year before kindergarten) are natural social scientists, observing their world and trying to make […]
Your child comes home with reading test scores, and you stare at confusing numbers and letters, wondering what they actually mean. Is your child succeeding or struggling? These benchmark tests provide valuable information, but only when you understand how to interpret them correctly. What Are Reading Benchmark Tests Reading benchmark tests measure your child’s literacy […]
Your four-year-old writes their name but flips the ‘R’ backward. Your kindergartner confuses ‘b’ and ‘d’ when reading. These letter reversals worry many parents, but they’re actually a normal part of early literacy development for most children. Understanding why reversals happen and when they’re typical versus concerning gives you the tools to support your child’s […]
