Reading isn't just about sounding out words Most parents know that phonics is important for learning to read. And they're right, phonics is critical. But there's another layer that often gets overlooked. For many struggling readers, it may be the missing piece: morphology. Morphology is the study of meaningful word parts, roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and how they combine to create words. Understanding morphology helps children move from basic decoding to confident, fluent r

English spelling feels chaotic, but it isn't Many parents have said it at some point: "English spelling makes no sense." And honestly, it's understandable. Said  doesn't sound like it looks. Because  isn't spelled the way it sounds. Refrigerator  contains letters children don't hear clearly. To a struggling reader, English can feel unpredictable; even unfair. But here's the truth: English spelling is not random. It follows a structured system built on sound, meaning, and word

"It's just 'said'—why is this so hard?" Parents are often surprised by this one. A child may read long words like important  or yesterday , but consistently stumble over a tiny, common word like said. They might read it as: sad saw sid Or spell it as: sed sid sad Because said  appears everywhere, this struggle can be especially frustrating for parents and children alike. Why "said" causes so much trouble The word said  is what we call a high-frequency word with irregular spel

"They're just guessing," —but why? Many parents and teachers notice the same pattern when a child reads aloud: The child looks at the picture Skips over letters Substitutes a word that kind of makes sense Keeps moving without self-correcting It's often described as guessing and sometimes even encouraged as a strategy: "Have them look at the picture." "Tell them to think about what would make sense." But here's the truth: Guessing at words is not a reading strategy. It's a red

If you've seen this spelling, you're not alone Many parents and teachers have seen it written this way: because → becuz At first glance, it can look like a careless mistake, a shortcut, or even laziness. After all, the child knows the word when they say it out loud, so why can't they spell it correctly? The answer is important and tells us a lot about how that child processes language and written words. What parents often assume When a child spells "because" as "becuz," adult

You've done everything right. So why is reading still hard? You've invested months, maybe even years, in Orton-Gillingham tutoring. Your child knows the phonics rules. They can sound out words. But when it comes to actual reading? It still feels like a battle. Sound familiar? You're not alone. And more importantly, you're not imagining it. Many parents find themselves in this exact position: their child has completed an Orton-Gillingham program or worked with an Orton-Gillin

Finding the right support when your child struggles with reading If you're looking for reading help in the Chicagoland area, you're probably worried about your child. Maybe they're falling behind in class, avoiding books, or getting frustrated every time they try to read. You want to find something that actually works. The good news? Chicagoland has plenty of options for reading support. The challenge? Figuring out which type of help your child actually needs. Not all reading

If you're searching "Where can I find reading help for kids in Illinois?", you're not alone. Across the state, parents are noticing early reading struggles: difficulty sounding out words, avoiding reading, or falling behind peers. The good news? Illinois offers a wide range of literacy programs and supports. The challenge is knowing which option fits your child's needs, and when additional help may be necessary. Below is a clear overview of Illinois reading resources, how the