Why Traditional Reading Programs Often Fail Struggling Readers

Jun 6

And What You Can Do to Help Your Child Succeed

The Problem Is Not Your Reader—It’s the Method

If your child has been through multiple reading programs and is still falling behind, you're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. The truth is, many traditional reading approaches simply don’t work for all learners—especially those with dyslexia or language-based learning differences.

The problem isn’t effort. It’s that most traditional programs focus on rote memorization, rigid phonics rules, or visual guessing strategies, rather than building true understanding of how written language works.

What Traditional Programs Often Get Wrong

Here are some common issues in traditional reading instruction:

Too much focus on memorizing sight words instead of teaching how to decode them
Phonics taught in isolation, without connecting reading and spelling
Lack of emphasis on phonemic awareness, which is critical for decoding
Over-reliance on context clues or pictures, encouraging guessing instead of reading
One-size-fits-all pace, leaving struggling readers behind

These methods might work for some students—but they often leave others feeling confused, embarrassed, or convinced that they’re just “not a reader.”

The Science of Reading Tells a Different Story

Modern reading science shows that effective literacy instruction must be:

Explicit (taught clearly and directly)
Systematic (organized in a logical sequence)
Multisensory (engaging multiple senses for stronger learning)
Connected across reading, spelling, and writing

Programs like EBLI (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction) are built around these principles. That’s why they work so well for struggling readers—especially those with dyslexia or inconsistent reading habits.

What Happens When You Use the Right Method?

When we teach reading the way the brain actually learns:

Students make faster progress
They understand the “why” behind words and sounds
Confidence grows because the process makes sense

At Growing Oaks, we’ve seen students go from tears to triumph—sometimes in just a few sessions—because they were finally given the tools that work with their brains, not against them.

You Don’t Have to Wait to Start Something Better

If your child is frustrated with reading—or if you are—there’s a better way forward. Our EBLI-certified instruction helps learners build real reading skills they can use for life.

✅ One-on-one sessions (online or in-person near Tyler, TX)
✅ Multisensory, evidence-based instruction
✅ Customized support for dyslexia and other reading challenges

Let’s Break the Cycle—Together

Everyone deserves to feel successful when they open a book.
👉 Schedule a free consultation at growingoaks.us/appointments

Kendall Stoner