Memory tricks, mnemonics, multi-sensory tools, artistic visualization, and many other tricks for learning can make a huge difference for our kids and students–especially those who have some learning differences or reading struggles. The important key to effective tools for learning, as obvious as it may sound, is finding what works for each individual. A trick that works incredibly well for one student may actually be a hindrance to another student’s learning. All of our kids are different, and finding what works for each is a difficult but essential component to successful learning.

Watch our video blog from today to hear one teacher’s experience with these differences…

Join us on Facebook or Instagram to share tricks and tips that have worked well for your kids!

Body language can offer some really helpful cues when trying to stay one step ahead of our kids–whether in the classroom or at home. Being aware of what our kids’ body language is saying can tip us off to the need for a change in pace. Look for clues like excessive fidgeting, darting eyes, or blank stares. Upon noticing these or other body language cues, try incorporating some movement, throwing in an activity, or taking a game break. It may even be time to wrap things up for the day–while you can still do so on a positive note–praising your kids for their hard work.

Watch our video blog for more discussion and join us on Facebook or Instagram to share any body language cues you have witnessed and the strategies you’ve found to be helpful!

Correction of our kids or our students is a very real part of life, but doing so in a constructive, encouraging way can be very challenging. In our video blog today, one of our teachers gives a few tips from the Reading Tricks curriculum on how to correct without criticizing:

1. When correcting is absolutely necessary, do so gently. Don’t be harsh, critical, negative, or condescending. Respond with kindness, patience, and understanding. Use a gentle tone, watch your body language and facial expressions, and patiently walk your student through the correction.
2. Pair correction with a complement. Find something to praise your student for—whether it’s working hard, improvement in a certain area, creativity, or even something as small as color choice—making sure you’re being genuine in your compliment (kids can tell when you’re offering fake praise!). Cushioning the correction with a compliment can help our kids be more open to the correction, while also protecting them from being too hard on themselves or feeling like a failure.

We’d love to hear strategies you’ve learned for correcting in a way that fosters growth rather than defeat. Join us at facebook.com/ReadingIsHard to join the conversation!

Life stays crazy enough even without the back to school chaos that arrives without fail every fall. In today’s video, one of our Reading Tricks teachers shares some important reminders she has learned to keep in mind as we jump back into the routine of school—whether you’re a teacher, parent, homeschooler, relative, or even just a friend of some kids heading back to school.

1. Remember that there will be good days AND bad days, and both are okay. Enjoy the good days, hang in during the tough ones, and keep learning through both!
2. Everyone moves at a different pace, and sometimes going slow with our kids is crucial for their success! Don’t be afraid to slow down, even if it means adjusting your schedule for the year.
3. Aim for mastery, but give grace for mistakes! None of us are perfect, and we all need that person in our lives who shows grace for our imperfections and weaknesses. Be that person for your kids!
4. Keep an eye out for any of your kids who may be losing hope… it can happen much more quickly than we would expect. If anyone seems to be falling behind, becoming discouraged, or not learning quite the same as other kids the same age, feel free to join us at readingtricks.com for support as you figure that out!
5. End on a positive note—whatever the day, class, or evening of homework looked like. Tell a joke, offer genuine compliments, end with an activity that plays on known strengths, or share a special treat—making sure your kids know that you care more about them than about their school success!

Join us at readingtricks.com if you’re looking for a learning community passionate about helping people learn to read. We’d love to hear how your school year is starting out!

Many of you may have heard the big rocks word picture–a way of illustrating the ” put first things first ” mindset–and in our video blog today, we shared our own nerdy teacher version of that. In a world where busyness reigns, time management tips are something that most of us want. Although this “big rocks” picture may seem simple, it is can also be a very life-changing concept if we let it. Life is full of constant choices, as we are inundated with countless options of how to spend our time each day. If we respond to the myriad of little things first, we will almost assuredly reach the end of the day without time to fit in the biggest, most important things. However, if we start each day knowing what is most important and making those few things the priority, then we will have time to fit many of the little things in around them. Knowing and keeping our main priorities equips us to make all of the little decisions that come at us each day! Join us on facebook to leave a comment about your big rocks!

Too many times have I been in that place where I feel like I can’t add even one more thing into my already-crammed busy life. Having been there, I understand the reflex response of rejecting anything that looks like it might be a time taker. However, I want to take just a minute to share with you why I think Reading Tricks might be more manageable than you think.

In short, Reading Tricks is not a typical training program. You aren’t required to put in in a minimum number of hours memorizing materials and learning an entire method or curriculum before you can even begin putting it into practice. Instead it is a bite-sized video training program, where you watch one video at a time (normally 5-10 minutes long), accompanied by simple step-by-step lesson plans. After watching one of these videos, you are already trained to teach your student one lesson. And even more fun that that is the fact that you can do it all from home in your pjs! 🙂