As parents, you may have heard the term “irregular words” or “heart words” when helping your child with reading. These are words that don’t follow the usual spelling rules, so they can’t be easily sounded out. Traditionally, children were taught to memorise these words as a whole. But recent research shows that there’s a better way to help kids learn these tricky words.

Levelled readers can sometimes mask underlying reading difficulties. Children with great visual memory might seem to progress well through the levels by memorising words and patterns. However, this reliance on memory over decoding skills becomes problematic as they reach mid-primary school, where the reading demands increase…

Meet Dwayne, a passionate advocate for dyslexia awareness. Discover his inspiring journey from struggling student to successful professional and co-founder of The Study Nook.

Discover why early identification and intervention are crucial for helping children develop strong reading skills. This blog explores the research on effective early reading strategies, the impact of late identification, and the challenges of intervening with older students.

Maths anxiety in children is a real concern that can hinder their learning and overall academic success. As a parent, understanding this phenomenon, its potential causes, and effective strategies to overcome it is crucial in supporting your child's mathematical journey.

Home learning – it's a topic that often sparks debate among parents, educators, and students alike. Let's face it, the idea of adding more work to an already packed schedule can feel like a tough sell. But before you dismiss it entirely, let's explore why home learning holds a crucial role in education.

Reading is not just about recognising letters on a page; it's about uncovering the layers of language that lie beneath the surface. For parents, understanding the nuances of reading instruction can be the key to supporting their child’s development as a reader and writer. In this blog, I explain the concepts of decoding and encoding, shedding light on how structured literacy approaches can empower children to become confident readers and writers.

I am a big believer in Multisensory teaching, and that is because I have seen the results. For that reason, you’ll see the words ‘Multisensory Teaching’ all over my website, but what does that actually mean? Continue reading to find out - what it is, where it came from, how it benefits learners and what it looks like in a Study Nook lesson.

In the realm of mathematics education, the significance of automaticity in basic math facts cannot be overstated. My teaching philosophy aligns with a science of learning approach, advocating for the automatic recall of facts to enhance cognitive resources and problem-solving capabilities. Backed by research, this approach is not just about learning facts but fostering automaticity for improved mathematical proficiency.

As we head into a new school year, many parents want to know how they can best support their child’s learning in reading, writing and spelling at home. Let's explore my Top 5 tips…

Providing your four year old with structured learning experiences can have a significant impact on their future learning. Imagine it as the first step towards laying the groundwork for a lifetime of curiosity and success. Here are my top 5 reasons structured learning experiences are beneficial from a young age - No fancy jargon, just straightforward insights into the incredible benefits backed by evidence.

As we approach a new year, I thought it timely to share my insights into the educational changes taking place in New Zealand's schools. With a new government often comes new change in the realm of Education. With this current change, Education Minister Erica Stanford and the government are steering a course that places an emphasis on the basics, read more below…

The turning point came closer to home, with my step-daughter now navigating her way through Year 9. Eager to excel in her exams, she faced a disheartening message from her English teacher – her potential was limited due to her struggles with spelling. A closer look revealed foundational gaps; she hadn't even mastered the basics of short and long vowel sounds.

Structured Literacy offers a methodical, explicit, and multi-sensory approach that transforms the landscape of literacy education. In our exploration of this evidence-based method, let's delve into the profound impact it has on shaping confident, independent, and successful learners.