Two years ago, my young son, eager to make Valentine’s Day special, chose to create handmade cards for his classmates in first grade. I was delighted that he opted for a personal touch over store-bought alternatives, so we gathered some construction paper and got creative together. Armed with a printed list of his classmates’ names, he diligently wrote each one in his large, careful handwriting, putting his heart into every card.
When the day of the class party arrived, I volunteered to assist with the festivities. As the children dashed about, excited to exchange cards, my son pulled on my sleeve. When I bent down to hear him, he whispered, “Mom, can you help me pass out my cards?”
I encouraged him, “You can do it on your own! Look, everyone else is!” But he shook his head and replied, “I can’t, Mom. I don’t know how to read their names.” In that moment, it struck me just how much he was struggling with reading, and I felt utterly helpless. Tears threatened to fall.
My son is exceptionally intelligent. By the end of his public pre-K year, he ranked in the 99th percentile on our school district’s gifted screener. I was filled with excitement for his journey through elementary school; I had thrived in school, and I believed he would too. However, when he faced challenges with “sight words” in kindergarten, I was taken aback. I had read to him every day since birth—literally. He adored books and I was sure we had done everything necessary to prepare him for reading.
After countless meetings with school administrators, I grew increasingly frustrated. Each conversation seemed to circle back to what we were doing at home. It took all my restraint not to cry out: “We’ve done everything! Stop blaming us and teach my child to read!”
Determined to find answers, we sought help beyond our school district. Our pediatrician referred us to a specialist at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, where we learned that my son has dyslexia, a condition affecting approximately one in five children. The expert recommended structured literacy, which involves systematic phonics instruction. Simply reading together daily wasn’t sufficient; he needed explicit teaching to connect letters and sounds.
Before I understood structured literacy, I often struggled to explain why certain words didn’t seem to follow basic sound rules. I assumed some words were just exceptions, but I hadn’t grasped the full picture myself. As my son’s reading skills and confidence improved, I began to wonder why all children aren’t taught systematic phonics. After researching, I discovered that while about 40 percent of kids can decode language on their own, 60 percent—including children like my son—struggle significantly.
Reflecting on this issue, I believe it’s no coincidence that approximately 65 percent of children in the U.S. are not proficient in reading, as indicated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This troubling statistic is mirrored here in Tennessee. For those who can’t learn to read naturally, their entire educational journey—and potential—suffers. This is a national crisis that cannot be blamed on parents or teachers; rather, it highlights systemic issues that need addressing.
Recently, our state made strides towards improvement by proposing legislation to ensure that early elementary teachers receive training in the science of reading along with appropriate curriculum. I sincerely hope this legislation is enacted and that school districts embrace these changes. It is crucial for the success of all children.
If your child is having difficulty learning to read, I encourage you to ask your school’s instructional leaders about their reading programs. If they aren’t using systematic phonics, advocate for it—because that’s what every child needs.
For more insights on navigating educational challenges, check out this blog post. And if you’re interested in parenting resources, Make A Mom offers valuable information. Additionally, for those considering pregnancy options, the NHS provides excellent resources.
In summary, my journey with my son’s reading challenges has opened my eyes to the systemic issues surrounding literacy education. As parents, we must advocate for structured phonics and support our children’s learning needs.
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