Reading Tutor
– Real Success
Reading Tutor – The Common Reaction
A reading tutor is near the top of the typical list. Along with cajoling, threats, or promises of rewards, supplementing schoolwork with additional tutoring is the usual first choice for parents trying to help their struggling readers. This is an understandable reaction; however, if the reading problem is a result of weak cognitive learning skills, the pressure of a reading tutor will only frustrate matters. If children are driven to tutoring when they lack the foundational skills to succeed -- even when a qualified reading tutor is trying to help -- their frustration level increases, and the already challenging problem becomes even worse.
A reading tutor is appropriate for readers who need to fill in a few gaps or catch-up at a new school. However, for those students who are really struggling, lasting success depends on identifying and strengthening weak cognitive skills and rebuilding a student's reading system on the fundamental principles of accurate sound analysis.
Reading Tutor – Where to Find Real Impact
Typically, a reading tutor is a professional instructor in reading. At LearningRx, our “reading tutors” are more like coaches or trainers. Our reading programs are designed to correct deficiencies in cognitive learning skills and rebuild a student's reading system on a sound-to-code foundation. The 24-week program is designed around short but intense training sessions in a one-on-one environment. The programs incorporate three components proven to be essential and effective to a successful reading system.
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Auditory Processing Skills – The student develops a foundational ability to (i) segment (pull apart), (ii) blend (put together), and (iii) process words at the phonemic (base unit) sound level.
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Sound-to-Code Training – The student becomes proficient in a reading system that accurately represents all phonemes (units of sound) in the English language.
- Sequential Training – The student masters the most common sounds and combinations first. Then he or she masters the less common combination and exceptions. This approach makes it unnecessary for the student to memorize unreliable rules.
Reading Tutor – The Cognitive Training Difference
Reading tutors have a definite role in the education process. However, at the foundational level, strengthening cognitive skills is usually more important. Developing cognitive abilities provides the underlying tools for strong reading and enhanced learning performance in general. For example, students completing our cognitive training average over six-year gains in critical visual-auditory skills (a good measure of overall learning proficiency measured by the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test). When it comes to “Word Attack” skills (the ability to read unfamiliar words accurately) our students are recording average gains better than four years. Finally, in the area of auditory processing, our students are averaging over five-year gains in the ability to handle the essential tasks of sound recognition, segmenting, blending, and processing. Practically, these results mean phenomenal reading progress and lasting confidence for our students. Imagine what gains like these could do for your child.
If you or someone you know struggles to read, studies indicate that for over 88% of those who struggle, weak underlying cognitive skills is the cause. These problems can be corrected, and you can experience a lifetime of faster, easier reading. Contact the nearest LearningRx Center to learn more about cognitive skills training and sound-to-code reading programs and how they can improve your life too!
