of students need explicit, systematic phonics instruction that most schools simply don't provide.
This isn't a failure of your child. It's a failure of the system.
Why Children Struggle With Reading
Reading difficulties rarely have a single cause. Here are the most common reasons your child may be struggling.
Balanced Literacy and Three-Cueing Failed Them
For decades, most schools taught reading using "balanced literacy" - an approach that asks children to guess at words using pictures, first letters, and context clues. This method was not based on brain science. It was based on assumptions about how children "naturally" learn to read.
The problem? Reading is not natural. Unlike speaking, reading must be explicitly taught. When children are taught to guess, they develop habits that make accurate reading nearly impossible.
They Never Received Systematic Phonics Instruction
Phonics - the relationship between letters and sounds - is the foundation of reading. But many reading programs teach phonics haphazardly, out of order, or not at all.
Without explicit, systematic phonics instruction, children can't decode unfamiliar words. They're stuck guessing, memorizing whole words, or avoiding reading altogether.
Undiagnosed Dyslexia
1 in 5 people have dyslexia - making it the most common learning difference. Yet most children with dyslexia are never properly identified. They're told they're "not trying hard enough" or they'll "catch up eventually."
Dyslexia is a neurological difference in how the brain processes language. With the right instruction, children with dyslexia can become strong readers. But they need specialized, structured literacy intervention - not more of the same instruction that isn't working.
Critical Gaps in Foundational Skills
Reading is built on a hierarchy of skills. If one level is weak, everything above it crumbles. Even many "Science of Reading" programs that schools are now adopting focus almost exclusively on phonological awareness and phonics.
But they often skip:
When Should You Worry About Your Child's Reading?
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Here are specific signs that warrant investigation:
Don't wait to "see if they grow out of it."
Early intervention is critical. The longer reading struggles continue, the harder they become to remediate - and the more damage is done to your child's confidence and love of learning.
What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading isn't a program or curriculum. It's a body of research spanning 40+ years across cognitive science, neuroscience, and education that tells us how the brain actually learns to read.
This research has definitively shown that:
- Reading is not natural - it must be explicitly taught
- The brain reads by decoding letters to sounds, not by recognizing whole word shapes
- Systematic phonics instruction is essential for all students
- Guessing from context is a sign of poor reading, not skilled reading
Traditional Methods vs. Science of Reading
Traditional (Balanced Literacy)
- - "Look at the picture for clues"
- - "What word would make sense here?"
- - "Skip it and come back"
- - Memorize sight words by shape
Science of Reading Approach
- + Systematically decode letter by letter
- + Learn all sound-spelling patterns
- + Build automatic word recognition
- + Connect reading and spelling
What Is Structured Literacy?
Structured literacy is how the Science of Reading is put into practice. It's the gold standard for teaching struggling readers.
Structured Literacy Teaches All Components of Reading:
Phonology
Sound awareness and manipulation
Sound-Symbol
Letter-sound relationships (phonics)
Syllables
Breaking words into syllable types
Morphology
Prefixes, roots, and suffixes
Syntax
Sentence structure and grammar
Semantics
Word meanings and comprehension
Why Structured Literacy Works:
Explicit
Nothing is left to chance. Every skill is directly taught.
Systematic
Skills are taught in developmental order, building on each other.
Cumulative
Previous skills are continuously reviewed and reinforced.
Multisensory
Uses eyes, ears, voice, and hands to strengthen learning.
"No one could figure out my son in 14 years, and Enid figured him out in 30 minutes."
- Denise N., Parent
The First Step: Get Clear Answers
Before you can help your child, you need to know exactly what's missing. A comprehensive literacy evaluation goes beyond simple reading tests to examine:
Why Writing Matters
We pay special attention to writing because it reveals gaps that reading tests miss. Writing shows exactly which phonics patterns, spelling rules, and language structures your child has (and hasn't) mastered.
.jpg)
Meet Enid Webb
Master's in Speech Pathology | 30+ Years Experience
After more than 30 years helping struggling readers, Enid understands the worry you're feeling. She's helped over 11,000 families find answers and solutions.
Her approach starts with showing your child they're smart - just differently wired. When kids feel seen and understood, their true potential emerges.
Your Child Can Learn to Read
With the right evaluation and the right instruction, struggling readers can make remarkable progress. The first step is understanding exactly what's missing.
Get a Reading EvaluationFree 15-minute consultation to discuss your concerns