7 Signs Your Child May Need a Literacy Tutor

Written By Kendall Stoner
Graphic titled “7 Signs Your Child May Need a Literacy Tutor” with icons of an open book, pencil, light bulb, and a checkmark, highlighting reading, writing, and spelling challenges on a teal background.

Graphic titled “7 Signs Your Child May Need a Literacy Tutor” with icons of an open book, pencil, light bulb, and a checkmark, highlighting reading, writing, and spelling challenges on a teal background.

Reading, Writing, and Spelling Struggles Often Go Hand in Hand—Here’s What to Watch For

When Reading Isn’t the Only Challenge

Reading challenges are often easy to notice—but what about spelling? What about a child who writes slowly, with poor handwriting, or avoids writing altogether?

At Growing Oaks, we focus on literacy as a whole, because reading, writing, spelling, and even handwriting are deeply connected. When one area is weak, others often suffer too. Early intervention can prevent long-term frustration and help your child develop strong, lasting skills.

1. Avoiding Reading, Writing, or Homework

Does your child stall when it's time for homework? Refuse to read or write without a meltdown? Resistance often points to underlying difficulty, not laziness.

2. Guessing at Words Instead of Sounding Them Out

If your child guesses at words or substitutes random ones, they may be missing core phonemic awareness and decoding skills. These gaps can impact both reading fluency and spelling accuracy.

3. Frequent Spelling Mistakes (Even on Easy Words)

Spelling reveals how well a child understands how sounds map to letters. If your child regularly misspells simple or high-frequency words, it’s time to take a closer look at their literacy foundation.

4. Poor or Slow Handwriting

Many children who struggle with reading or spelling also have handwriting issues. If writing is painfully slow or hard to read, it could signal difficulties with processing, motor planning, or confidence.

5. Low Confidence in Anything Literacy-Related

Statements like “I hate writing” or “I’m bad at spelling” are more than just complaints. They often signal deeper struggles that are affecting your child’s self-esteem—and their ability to learn.

6. Falling Behind Across Subjects

Literacy touches everything—math word problems, science explanations, and history essays. If your child is falling behind in multiple areas, a literacy issue may be the root cause.

7. You Know Something's Off (Even If It Hasn't Been Diagnosed)

As a parent, your instincts matter. If something feels off about how your child is reading, writing, or spelling—even if no one else sees it yet—it’s worth taking action. You don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis to get support.

How Growing Oaks Can Help

We provide comprehensive support for struggling readers and writers using the EBLI method—a research-based approach to reading, writing, and spelling instruction.

✅ One-on-one support tailored to your child’s needs
✅ In-person and online tutoring available
✅ Help for dyslexia, handwriting issues, spelling delays, and writing confidence

Let’s Work Together to Build Strong Literacy Skills

Whether your child is 5 or 15 or you need help at 45, it’s not too early—or too late—to get support.
👉 Schedule a free consultation at growingoaks.us/appointments

Sources:

Kendall Stoner
Next

What Is Phonemic Awareness—and Why Does It Matter?