When thinking about why SMART kids get a reading tutor, we often default to the negative:
- My child isn’t supposed to need a reading tutor, so we immediately shut down the idea of reaching out to a phonics-trained reading tutor with early reading intervention teaching experience, who we know could help our child.
- People will think we haven’t tried hard enough to help our child read.
- We think that signing on with a reading tutor always requires a long-term investment of time and money.
I’m here to challenge these beliefs. I believe that SMART kids and SMART MOMS who invest in a reading tutor, even for a short season. Today, let’s figure out 3 reasons SMART kids get a reading tutor:
Why Smart Kids Get a Reading Tutor
Smart Kids Get a Reading Tutor for Reassurance
Mom, I’m going to start with you. You want reassurance that you and your smart kiddo over there are on the right track in phonics instruction and reading level. P.S. I’d want to know too!!
As an experienced core Language teacher for 10+ years, I have a frame of reference for how typical learners should be applying simple phonics skills as readers by a certain age. I know which specific phonics skills a child should be able to apply to read and spell at a reasonable speed, which we call reading and spelling fluency.
Even as an experienced teacher, I don’t go it alone. I love having colleagues down the hall I can reach out to at any time.
A child-friendly reading and phonological sounds assessment, which I offer in my one-hour Confident Reader Kickoff Call can give you the reassurance you need, knowing that you and your beginning or striving reader are on the right track. PLUS you’ll get the exact next STEP your child needs to make progress as a reader.
The first step when beginning with any reading tutor, should be a simple reading and phonological sounds assessment. Why would you want to pay for a tutor to teach your child phonics lessons she already knows? When considering why smart kids get a reading tutor, even for a short season, my Confident Reader Kickoff Call is a great place to start.
Smart Kids Get a Reading Tutor if Easily Distracted
Another reason SMART kids get a reading tutor is when they are easily distracted. “Did someone say squirrel?!” This goes for your child in a classroom or at your kitchen table! Your child either has difficulty sustaining focus to complete a task, or is highly distracted by his/her environment.
Even in a classroom that’s well-managed, calm and mostly quiet there’s a lot for kids to ignore. What’s the teacher doing? What’s my buddy doing? What time does the clock say? What’s that anchor chart on the wall say?
At home, your toddler wants his brother to play with him right now, the phone is ringing, the dog is barking, the doorbell rings, all the things!! When your child has a dedicated time to spend with a reading tutor on a certain day at a certain time, they’re going to be fully engaged.
Smart Kids Get a Reading Tutor When Reading at Home Isn’t Working
SMART kids get a reading tutor when easily frustrated and quick to ‘shut down’ emotionally. SMART kids may also need to build confidence and emotional resiliency as readers.
If wearing both mom hat and teacher hat is creating distance instead of connection between you and your child, it may be time to invite a new face into reading and phonics instruction at home.
I’ve known some very SMART children who struggled with managing frustration when it comes to reading. Would you allow me to step in and be a support for both you and your child? Join me for a free, 15-minute ‘Phonics Chat’ on Zoom to get started.
Yours in phonics,
Melanie
