Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of progress can we expect?

Many parents enviably ask this question. I will not promise a certain amount of progress in any amount of time. Reading is a complicated process. It can depend on their attention span, language skills, auditory processing, visual processing, visual memory, phonological processing/ awareness, directionality, vocabulary, intelligence, vision skills, memory skills and other various skills. Many times I have been surprised – either by how slow some children progress or how fast some children progress. Typically we are looking for at least 2 months progress in 1 month. Please remember every child is very different.

Why is my child so smart, but yet he or she is having trouble reading?

Research has repeatedly proven that intelligence and reading are not correlated. Children who have a high IQ can still have difficulty reading. Even after 25 years of working with children – it is still difficult to comprehend and accept. A better indicator of success in reading is the child's ability in phonological processing.

What does the evaluation consist of?

The evaluation is geared toward the information we need to plan appropriate lessons and possibly further referrals. We assess reading level, ability to auditorially analyze sounds and parts of words, fluency, oral language comprehension, sight words, spelling of sounds and several other relevant areas. The evaluation will depend on the individual needs of the child.

Will you tell me if my child has a learning disability?

No, we will not diagnose any particular learning challenge. We will refer to other qualified professionals for further testing. Sometimes parents will begin with our program and watch the progress for several months to decide if further testing is needed.

Will you tell me if my child has dyslexia?

No, we will not diagnose any particular learning challenge. We will refer to other qualified professionals It is important to obtain the diagnosis to determine future educational programming and planning. With detailed report from a child psychologist we can tailor the child’s program to fit his or her individual needs. Dyslexia can be overcome, not cured.

If my child is diagnosed with dyslexia, can you help?

Yes, we have tutored many, many children with dyslexia. Our program was designed for children with learning challenges such as dyslexia and ADD. With detailed report from a child psychologist we can tailor the child’s program to fit his or her individual needs. Dyslexia can be overcome, not cured.

Who do you refer to?

We only refer to specific professionals within the Tulsa area that are especially equipped to diagnose or assist in an individual child’s needs. We commonly refer our clients to child psychologists, developmental pediatricians, ophthalmologists, child development specialists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists. Referral to the correct professional is critical.

How do you individualize for each student?

We take information from the evaluation and informal observation from the child’s tutor to constantly adjust the lessons. We spend hours everyday creating and planning specific lessons for you child. We also analyze the latest research to determine any new or different areas that need attention.

Do we serve students with special needs?

Yes, because our founder and owner’s background is grounded in special education we welcome students with special challenges.

Do we serve students with ADD?

Yes, the owner and founder of Reading for Kids! spent many years teaching students with attention difficulties. Our program is designed with the needs of children with ADD in mind.

How can my child make progress with just one or two hours a week?

We spend an entire hour working with your child, and the lesson is specifically planned for them. With no interruptions or distractions, much can be accomplished. We also send home practice activities designed to coordinate with the lessons and formulated specifically for your child.

Can you catch up my child so they will not be retained?

We will not make any rash promises. We will put forth our best effort to progress your child as fast as possible. Their progress will be enhanced if they will attend regularly, and complete the practice activities. We do not see them within the classroom environment, so we have no business telling you what to do with your child’s placement.

Will personnel at Reading for Kids give an opinion on whether or not my child should be retained?

Many parents ask us what our opinion is concerning the decision to retain their child. We do not see them in the classroom environment, so our information is limited. We will inform you of your child’s current reading level and how they perform during the tutoring. We can also refer you to other professionals for specific evaluations.

How much homework is required?

We send a large amount of homework; however, it is up to you, as the parent, to determine how much homework to ask your child to do. We have discovered that for children who are significantly behind their expected grade level, it is critical for them to do as much homework as possible. The work we send is typically fairly easy, so most children don’t mind it. They are also rewarded the homework they do – this helps with the motivation.

How can I get my child to do the homework?

Typically the homework is on their independent reading level, so it will not be difficult. When students see improvement, they will typically be motivated by their progress. We also have tutors that work on developing positive relationships with their students – this will also provide additional motivation. We reward our students with giant play money for the homework they complete. They then may "buy" toys and prizes with their money. This is a strong motivator.

Why does my child need to be tutored by the same tutor?

Even though we may teach the same lesson, individual tutors will use different words. Consistency is important. Tutors also learn each child’s individual needs, and develop positive relationships with their students.

Why do you not have a make up policy for missed lessons?

Our price is extremely competitive. Our monthly price is based on 4 lessons per month. Some months you will attend 5 or even 6 lessons – depending on how your day falls on the calendar. You get an extra lesson on those months – we consider this your extra lesson or make up lesson. We pay our tutors whether your child attends or not. We provide an excellent service with materials and prizes. We also provide a doctorate level professional planning your child’s program.

How competitive is your price?

We provide an excellent service with individualized materials and prizes. We have degreed tutors and a doctorate level professional planning the lessons. You will not find a better value for you dollar.

How do we know when it is time to finish the program?

We do not specifically designate a date for completion. We do not have a contract. Parents decide when they want to exit the program. Some parents decide to exit the program when their child is up to grade level. Some parents decide to continue on to get their child ahead. We do not do a hard sell to continue or push you to sign up.

Why is there no contract?

We believe in the excellence of our program – we don’t need to have a contract. It allows parents to have the freedom to choose what is appropriate for their child without having to sign a long-term contract and a long-term obligation.

What holidays are you closed?

We tutor during all school breaks: fall break, winter break, spring break, and summer break. We also tutor on President’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, etc. These typical school holidays are an excellent opportunity for catch-up time. We are only closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

Should I enroll my child in the Summer Reading Camp or in the tutoring program?

The Summer Reading Camp is designed for beginning readers to learn to read and practice their skills during the summer. If your child is behind in his or her reading achievement, tutoring is the more appropriate placement. The tutoring is also very appropriate for maintaining and advancing your child’s reading during the summer. The tutoring and camp both have phonics instruction, games, prizes and computer games. The Summer Reading Camp is small group instruction, whereas the tutoring is individualized with personalized take home activities.

What if my teacher’s child tells me they are having a reading comprehension problem?

Many schools combine comprehension and decoding. They will inform you that your child has a reading comprehension problem, when in reality they are not analyzing the two issues. We separate the two issues. Many times the child’s decoding is affecting the comprehension. We address the decoding first, then the comprehension. If you child is truly having a comprehension problem, this can be addressed in several different ways. If your child has a significant comprehension issue, it is important to define exactly what is the specific comprehension issue. If this is the case, we typically also refer to other professionals.

Will you coordinate with my child’s instruction he/she is receiving at school?

Typically we are very knowledgeable of how the different schools teach reading. If we are concerned that our program may not blend well with the child’s reading program, we will contact your child’s teacher to determine exactly what is being taught. Sometimes we have to adjust our program to better blend with the child’s school instruction.

Do you teach children to get ahead?

Yes, many times parents will bring their children to us to give them a head start with their reading skills. Typically about a third of our student attend our program to advance their reading skills above grade level.

Why is learning to read in 1st grade so difficult?

There is a significant amount of skills to be able to read well by the end of first grade. It can be compared to the first year of an infant’s life. There is a tremendous amount of material to cover and practice. If a child does not acquire reading easily, they must be taught step-by-step in a systematic way.