I recently watched the gentle film 'Stanley and Iris', starring Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro. Stanley is intelligent, kind and inventive. But he cannot read. What struck me most was the way the film showed how deeply this affected him. He had learned to hide his difficulty, but underneath was embarrassment and a lack of confidence. Then Iris offers to teach him to read. The film has a happy ending. Stanley learns to read, gains confidence and eventually becomes successful with one of his inventions. It made me think about the many secondary students I have worked with who struggled to read. Often, they weren't lacking intelligence or ability. They simply hadn't learned how to decode words. By secondary school, some had struggled for years. And when children repeatedly see others doing something they cannot do, they can begin to think: “Maybe I'm just not good at learning.” But that isn't necessarily true. Reading needs to be taught systematically. Children need to understand how letters and sounds work together and have plenty of practice reading texts suited to their developing skills. Ideally, those foundations are established in the early years. But here is the important part: It is never too late. A struggling teenager can learn to read. An adult who has hidden their reading difficulties for years can learn to read. With the right instruction, patience and practice, reading can be taught step by step. Perhaps that is the most powerful message I took from Stanley and Iris. Sometimes the words “I can't read” really mean: “I haven't learned to read yet.” And that one small word—yet—can change everything. “Have you ever worked with someone who believed they couldn’t learn—until they were shown a different way?”

Welcome to our community. Learning to read requires dedicated effort. Research consistently demonstrates that active parental support significantly enhances a child’s likelihood to master the reading skill. The process of learning to read establishes vital neural pathways in the brain, which can only be developed through consistent, purposeful practice. It is essential that this foundational journey remains an engaging and stress-free experience for young learners. By joining our network, you will gain the guidance and pedagogical strategies necessary to serve effectively as your child’s primary reading mentor. We provide the practical ideas, resources, and continuous encouragement needed to support your child’s literacy journey every step of the way. Do you enjoy reading with your child? Do you have any tips for parents on the same journey?