Literacy Skills
- Building strong readers, one word at a time -
Is my child struggling to read?
Your child is on a journey to develop the skills for reading but progress seems slow and you may wonder:
- Why is my child struggling to read?
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- Should I be worried?
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- Will they catch up?
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- What can I do to help my kiddo?
It is good to be curious and you are not the only parent that has had these thoughts go through their head. If your little is not developing the skills for reading as expected they many benefit from support form a speech therapist and we are here for you!
What is Literacy?
Literacy refers to the ability to read, write, and understand language effectively. It involves not just recognizing words, but also comprehending their meaning, using them to communicate ideas, and applying reading and writing skills in everyday life.
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Developing literacy skills is crucial for academic success, social interaction, and personal growth.
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Reading: Understanding written words, sentences, and texts.
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Writing: Using language to express thoughts, ideas, and information clearly in writing.
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Listening and Speaking: Understanding spoken language and expressing oneself verbally.
Components of Literacy
Literacy Milestones
These milestones help guide expectations in early literacy development
18 Months
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Shows interest in books by pointing to pictures or turning the pages of a book.
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May babble to imitate sounds when looking at a book.
2 Years
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Recognizes familiar pictures or objects in books.
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Begins to understand that pictures and words have meaning.
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May try to repeat simple words or phrases from stories.
3 Years
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Can "read" simple books by telling stories from the pictures.
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Knows some letters or their names (often the ones in their own name).
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May start scribbling or drawing to imitate writing.
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Enjoys listening to stories and may ask questions about them.
4 Years
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Recognizes a few sight words (like "stop" or "go").
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Can identify the first letter of their name and other letters.
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Understands basic concepts of print, like reading left to right & top to bottom.
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Begins to try writing letters or their name (often with imperfect letter shapes).
5 Years
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Recognizes most letters and their sounds (phonemic awareness).
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Can blend sounds to say simple words (like “cat” or “dog”).
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Begins to read simple books with assistance (may start with repetitive, predictable texts).
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Starts writing simple words or short phrases using invented spelling (e.g., "kat" for "cat").
6 Years
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Can read simple sentences or short stories with increasing fluency.
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Knows how to sound out unfamiliar words using phonics.
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Writes simple sentences using correct spacing and punctuation.
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Can distinguish between letters and words and recognizes sight words.
7 Years
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Can read books independently with fewer errors.
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Reads aloud with appropriate expression and pauses.
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Begins to use correct spelling for most common words.
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Writes with increasing clarity and structure, including complete sentences.
Signs your child may be struggling with literacy skills...
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2-3 Years: Limited vocabulary or difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
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4 Years: Struggles to identify letters of the alphabet or their sounds.
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5-6 Years: Struggles to blend sounds together (e.g., "c" "a" "t" - "cat")
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7 + Years: Struggles to read fluently, often needing help to sound out words and understanding what they read.
The Power of Early Intervention
The "wait and see" approach is great if you're watching the stars—but when it comes to your child’s speech and language development, research shows that early intervention leads to the best outcomes. Taking action now can make a meaningful difference in your child’s ability to read effectively.
Our Therapy Services
At True North SLP, we are committed to understanding your child’s communication challenges so we can help set them up for success. Every child deserves the opportunity to confidently express themselves, and we are here to support them every step of the way.
In-Home Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions in your home allows your child to learn in a familiar setting, making sessions more effective and convenient.
Ongoing Parent Support
We aim to empower parents with resources and strategies to support their child beyond the therapy session.
Personalized Goals
After a comprehensive assessment, we develop personalized goals tailored to your child's specific area of needs and challenges.
Flexible Scheduling
Book speech therapy sessions that fits your busy schedule, so therapy works seamlessly into your life.
Engaging Therapy Sessions
We strive to create therapy sessions that incorporate your child's interests while working towards their goals in a structured manner.
Knowledgeable SLPs
We are dedicated to helping your child reach their full potential through joy and evidence-based practice.
Getting Started is Easy...
Share information about your child and your primary concerns.
We aim to respond to your speech therapy request within 1-2 business days.
Get connected with an SLP
Discuss with a speech therapist what you hope to achieve through therapy sessions. As well, gain insights into how we can help.
Start Speech Therapy
Begin personalized speech therapy sessions in your home that support your child's unique communication needs.
At True North SLP, we are here to guide and support your child’s journey to confident communication.
Let’s go on this journey together!