The Reading Refined Approach
Foundation
The early years of childhood are a magical time when children are growing, exploring, and discovering new things every day! Most children will begin learning how to read in kindergarten. However, learning to read doesn't take magic — it takes direct instruction and lots of practice!
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When children are learning to read, they need to be taught the connections between spelling patterns and speech sounds in a particular order, using a very direct manner. My approach is to lead children though this special sequence of lessons rooted in the Orton-Gillingham method. This is how we build the foundations of spelling-sound relationships so that children can successfully learn to read!
Frequency
One of the core components of my approach is making sure my students get the frequency of lessons and practice that they need in order to become successful readers. Whether students work one-on-one with me or take advantage of group classes, I want to be sure that they get the instruction they need!
Children with dyslexia or other reading challenges need lots of repetition in properly spaced intervals for words and spelling patterns to "map" onto their brains permanently. This is why I have multiple options for lessons, and why I provide materials both online and in your home for between-session practice.
Family
Partnering with families and caregivers to help children learn is one of the most important keys to the program's success. Overcoming reading challenges is a big job, one that most people, understandably, don't have the time to take on by themselves!
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My approach is to become your partner in this journey by providing you as a parent or caregiver with all the help you need to help your child. I'll take care of the lessons, and you can simply follow the easy-to-follow instructions for between-session practice. This approach is not a "set-it-and-forget-it" model and the partnership with caring, invested adults like you is critical to the process!
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Fun!
Just because the structured literacy approach is, well…structured, doesn't mean it can't be fun!
We intersperse games and challenges throughout our learning, even pausing for a joke or two! Kids love using their whiteboards and syllable cards and keep all their senses engaged through multi-sensory instruction. The online practice portal has hundreds of practice games, and the extra materials keep kids engaged.
My Mission
My goal is to partner with parents and caregivers in helping their children learn to read by pairing live, online reading lessons with the tools, materials, and support to achieve reading success at home. Through a combination of multisensory learning with a certified specialist, and specialist-supported home-practice activities, my mission is to help every child overcome reading challenges!
Kathryn Barbosa
M.Ed. C-SLDS
Help is here.
Book a FREE Online Consultation!
As a parent or caregiver, you want to help your child in every way you can. During your initial free consultation, we will go over details about your experience and the reading difficulty signs (if any) that your child is presenting to point you in the right direction.