Help for Your Struggling Reader

Is your child bright, curious, and capable — but reading still feels harder than it should?

​

A veteran teacher and diagnostician at my last school called these leaners ABT Students.  ABT stands for "Ain't Been Taught." 

 

Struggling readers desperately need direct instruction.  They lack confidence because they know they don't know how to read because no one has taught them directly how reading works so that it makes sense to them.  They are not lazy or unmotivated.
 

They may simply be missing key foundational skills: phonograms, spelling patterns, decoding habits, syllable work, fluency, or comprehension strategies. When those pieces are weak, reading can feel like guessing.

​

At Classical Start Tutoring, I help children rebuild the foundation of reading through step-by-step, structured online lessons. My approach combines multisensory phonics, spelling, narration, living books, and careful skill practice. Instead of asking children to memorize endless word lists, I teach them to understand how English works.

​

This may be a good fit if your child:

​

• struggles to sound out unfamiliar words

• guesses at words instead of decoding

• avoids reading aloud

• has trouble spelling

• loses confidence during reading

• understands stories when read aloud but struggles independently
   

Families often come to me after trying other approaches that did not fully address the root problem. One parent shared that her daughter went from struggling in Kindergarten to reading short stories on her own. By the end of the school year, her teacher said she was one of the strongest readers in the class.
 

Another parent wrote that Susan helped her struggling reader master the foundational skills she needed to now enjoy reading.

Reading struggles can affect more than academics. They can affect confidence, attitude, and a child’s willingness to try. My lessons are designed to be warm, clear, and encouraging while still giving students the structure they need.
 

The first step is a free reading assessment. This helps identify where reading is breaking down and what kind of support your child needs next.

​

​

​

​

​

​