One of the first questions parents ask after their child begins literacy therapy is, "How long will this take?" It's a completely understandable question, but one that doesn't have a simple answer.
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When children learn to read, it can sometimes seem like they're simply memorising words through repetition. But skilled reading involves something much more sophisticated happening in the brain. A process called orthographic mapping helps words become stored in long-term memory, allowing readers to recognise them instantly and effortlessly. Understanding orthographic mapping is particularly important for supporting children who struggle with reading, including many children with dyslexia.
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Many parents hope that reading challenges are simply a phase their child will eventually outgrow. More often, children learn ways to cope with their challenges rather than truly overcoming them. Understanding the difference can make a significant difference to a child's long-term academic success and confidence.
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For children developing literacy skills it can sometimes feel as though English spelling follows no rules at all. But while English spelling is certainly complex, it isn't random. Understanding why English words are spelled the way they are can help make spelling more predictable and meaningful.
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When parents think about reading difficulties, they often focus on whether their child can accurately read words on a page. While reading accuracy is important, successful reading involves much more than decoding words. To truly engage with a text, children need to understand what they are reading, make connections between ideas, and retain information.
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Sounding out words is an important early reading skill, but as children grow and become more confident readers, relying on sounding out every word can actually slow reading down and make comprehension more difficult. Understanding when decoding is helpful, and when children should begin recognising words automatically, is key to supporting reading development effectively.
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For many parents, these terms can become confusing quickly. However, understanding the difference is incredibly important because these skills form the foundation for successful reading and spelling development.
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By four years old, children are becoming confident communicators. Conversations are more detailed, storytelling begins to develop, and children start using language in more complex and socially appropriate ways. If you’re wondering what typical language development at 4 years old looks like, this guide explains key milestones, what skills are emerging, and when it may be helpful to seek advice from a speech pathologist.
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If you’re wondering what typical language development at 3 years old looks like, this guide explains the key milestones, what skills are emerging, and when it may be helpful to seek advice from a speech pathologist.
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Turning two is an exciting stage in your child’s development, especially when it comes to speech and language skills. Many parents notice what’s often called a “language explosion” around this age. Vocabulary grows quickly, short phrases emerge, and toddlers become more confident communicators. But how many words should a 2 year old say? And what are typical 2 year old speech milestones?
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Is your 1-year-old starting to talk? Wondering how many words they should be saying? Understanding language development at 12 months can help you feel confident about your child’s progress and know when it might be time to seek advice from a speech pathologist.
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The first year of your baby’s life is a critical period for speech and language development. While many parents focus on when first words appear, communication skills begin developing from birth.
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One of the most common phrases I hear from parents is: “We’ve been told to just wait and see.” While this advice is usually well-intentioned, it can unintentionally delay the support a child needs during the most important years of communication development.
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Year 3 marks an important transition in a child’s learning. By this stage, students are expected to be confident, independent readers and writers who can use literacy skills to learn across the curriculum.
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Year 1 and Year 2 (Stage 1) are a crucial period in a child’s literacy journey. During these years, children move from “learning to read” toward “reading to learn.” Literacy expectations increase significantly, and students are expected to read more independently, write in greater detail, and apply their skills across all subjects.
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Kindergarten (Early Stage 1) is a critical year for literacy development. While learning letters and sounds may look simple on the surface, the skills taught in this year form the foundation for reading, spelling, writing, comprehension, and learning across all school subjects.
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Hearing that your child may benefit from speech therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes from a teacher. But this feedback is actually a positive step. Teachers spend a lot of time observing how children communicate and participate in the classroom, so when they raise a concern, it’s because they want to support your child’s success.
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