Can you work with my child during the summer?
Yes and no is the short answer to this question. Which I realize isn’t completely helpful, so let me elaborate.
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If your child has dyslexic tendencies (see the Warning Signs of Dyslexia linked here ) or has a diagnosis (again, not required if you see many of the tendencies over the years in your child and/or you see a familial link), a quick fix will not solve the problem. Dyslexic learners need to learn how to read and spell using an Orton/Gillingham based curriculum as it’s designed the way their brain is wired. Simply applying another program over 2.5 months in the summer will not be able to thoroughly address this need. It’s a bandaid. And the next school year when even more is expected of their reading/spelling ability, well, you know how that has gone. Most often, small reading groups at school don’t help much either. Even if they’re using O/G based curriculum, it’s not as effective as they would have to move at the pace of the slowest learner in the group and they often do not have that kind of time. Reading and spelling challenges are a problem whose solution is going to take more of a time investment.
So, yes, I do tutor year-round, including the summer. And, it will go into the school year as well, taking anywhere between 3-5 years on average to complete the entire Barton Reading and Spelling System.
It’s a commitment, to be sure, but really it’s about choosing your hard. It’s hard to watch your child struggle year after year. It’s also hard to make time and finances for weekly tutoring sessions. Both are difficult. One brings a lifelong toolbox with solutions to struggles, the other is throwing pasta at a wall and hoping it sticks.
I’ve worked with many a high schooler who has such a bruised/beat up self esteem because the reading struggles s/he has had left them feeling dumb. These learners aren’t dumb, and in fact, are often some of the most brilliant thinkers of all time! Think Albert Einstein, authors Roald Dahl and Patricia Polacco, rocket scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, director Steven Spielberg, entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Barbara Corchran from TV’s The Shark Tank. For great books to read with your kids about inspirational dyslexics throughout history and in present day click here.
For a free consultation, click here to Book A Call and let’s get your child the much needed tools they need to tackle reading and spelling the way their brain is wired to understand it. I can help!