Ramp Up to Reading: Building a Strong Foundation for School Success
By Alex Bessler
Certified Intervention Specialist & Orton-Gillingham Trained Tutor
Does your child need help ramping up their reading journey? At KTL Therapy, we know that preparing your child for school isn't just about knowing their ABCs—it’s about building a well-rounded foundation through playful, structured learning. Our new Orton-Gillingham trained Developmental Interventionist, Alex Bessler, is here to help you understand what reading readiness really means—and how you can support your child before they ever step foot in a classroom.
What Is Reading Readiness?
Reading readiness, or pre-literacy development, includes the skills children need before learning to read. These foundational skills set the stage for lifelong literacy and include:
Phonemic Awareness – The ability to hear, recognize, and play with the individual sounds in words. Simple, play-based activities like rhyming games, singing songs, and clapping out syllables are a fun way to build this skill.
Letter Recognition – Children should be familiar with both uppercase and lowercase letters and begin reciting the alphabet with confidence.
Name Writing – Practicing writing their name not only builds letter awareness but also fine motor skills. [Note: KTL does this in FUN ways such as writing in sand, shaving cream, and more!]
Comprehension – Reading stories aloud and engaging in related activities (like drawing, sequencing, or retelling) builds understanding and vocabulary.
Using Orton-Gillingham’s multisensory, structured approach to literacy, children learn to break down language into manageable pieces, using sight, sound, touch, and movement to build strong reading, writing, and spelling skills. This method is especially beneficial for children who have dyslexia or learning disabilities.
Helping Every Child Succeed
Whether your child is a confident learner or needs extra support due to a specific learning disability or executive functioning challenge, it’s never too early to lay a strong foundation. We believe every child can succeed with the right tools and support.
If you're wondering how to get your child ready to read, remember this: play with purpose. And when you're ready for extra guidance and focused assistance, KTL Therapy is here to help with expert support tailored to your child's unique needs.
Let’s ramp up to reading—together.