Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip!

It's time for a #TuesdayTip!



Today's tip is... don't discount audiobooks and text-to-speech tools when it comes to helping your child with Dyslexia.  

Using these types of materials at home is NOT cheating!

Listening to a book while following along with the text can also strengthen the link between spoken and written words. (Many libraries offer free audiobook apps, and most phones and tablets have built-in text-to-speech that can read web pages and documents aloud.) In fact, you could even turn on the "close captioning" on your TV if your child is watching a favorite cartoon!

Pairing these tools with "traditional reading methods" keeps a child learning grade-level content even when decoding the words themselves is still hard. That protects both their knowledge AND their self-esteem.

Interested in learning more about how "Ladder to Success Tutoring" can help your child?  Send Ms. Trisha a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

It's time for a #TuesdayTip!


Today's tip is for the parents/caregivers out there... and it's to trust your instincts.  

Please don't wait.  If someone you love is struggling with reading, early intervention is key.  

The symptoms of Dyslexia are different for everyone and can also depends on age.  However, there are some common characteristics. These include:

• Difficulty learning common nursery rhymes or songs

• Trouble recognizing rhyming patterns, like “cat” and “bat”

• Mispronouncing common words

• Difficulty recognizing their own name

• Reading slowly

• Avoiding reading out loud in any situation

• Pausing often while speaking

• Confusing similar-sounding words or names

Seeing any of these signs in your loved ones?  Interested in learning more about how "Ladder to Success Tutoring" can help your child?  Send Ms. Trisha a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Dyslexia Awareness Month



Did you know October is "Dyslexia Awareness Month?" 

(We love this graphic from Simplistic Solutions!) 

We know our clients have brains that work just a little bit differently, which is why every child deserves a learning plan tailored to his/her unique needs. 

Don't continue to be frustrated/worried for your child who is experiencing reading difficulties... reach out and schedule your free assessment/trial lesson with Ms. Trisha today. 

Send us a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

 It's time for a #TuesdayTip!



Today's tip for helping your child with reading at home is to create a distraction-free learning space.

WHERE your child practices reading matters more than you might think. Set up a dedicated, quiet spot in your home for reading time. This doesn’t need to be a fancy setup. A small table, desk, or comfy chair in a calm corner with good lighting, minimal clutter, and no screens is enough.

Remove potential distractions during these reading sessions. Turn off the television, put away tablets, and make sure to let siblings know this is a "protected time" when it comes to you reading with your child. 

When the environment is calm and predictable, your child can focus their energy on learning instead of filtering out distractions. A consistent space also creates a mental cue: “When I sit here, it’s reading time.” This routine helps your child transition into a learning mindset more quickly.

Ready to help your child climb the "ladder to success" when it comes to reading? Send Ms. Trisha a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

 It's time for a #TuesdayTip!




Phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words) is the foundation of reading. Many children with dyslexia have weaknesses in this area, which is why it’s such an important skill to practice at home. 

The good news is that phonemic awareness activities don’t require any books or materials. They are entirely auditory, and you can do them anywhere!

Try these activities during car rides, or while on a walk with your child:

 - Sound segmenting: Say a word like “ship” and ask your child to break it into individual sounds: /sh/ /i/ /p/.

- Sound blending: Say individual sounds like /m/ /a/ /p/ and ask your child to blend them into a word: “map.”

- Sound substitution: Ask, “What word do you get if you change the /k/ in ‘cat’ to /b/?” (bat)

- Rhyming games: Take turns saying words that rhyme with a target word.

These short, playful exercises strengthen the auditory processing skills that underpin all reading development.

Ready to help your child climb the "ladder to success" when it comes to reading? Send Ms. Trisha a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

It's time for a #TuesdayTip!




And today, it's an easy one: Make time to read with your child!

Keep it simple! It doesn’t have to be a picture-perfect routine, and it doesn't have to feel like a "study session." 

Reading at the same time every day (like Ms. Trisha does with her four girls as part of their bedtime routine) can be comforting and make it easier to build the habit of reading, but ANYTIME your child is hearing language and connecting with you makes a difference.

Ready to help your child climb the "ladder to success" when it comes to reading? Send us a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Monday, September 14, 2026

Now Accepting "Step Up" Scholarships!

 


For more information, and to schedule a free trial lesson, email us at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

It's time for a #TuesdayTip!




One of the *fastest* ways to build your child’s reading confidence is through decodable books.

Unlike typical children’s books that contain a mix of simple and advanced words, decodable books only use letter-sound patterns that your child has already learned.

This means they can actually read every word on the page, which is an incredibly empowering experience for a struggling reader.  When your child successfully reads a book from cover to cover, it sends a clear message: “I can do this.”  

(Click here for a list of hundreds of free decodable books: https://literacylearn.com/free-decodable-readers/)

Ready to help your child climb the "ladder to success" when it comes to reading? Send us a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Trisha's #TuesdayTip

It's time for a #TuesdayTip!


Research consistently shows that children with dyslexia learn best when multiple senses are engaged at once.  Instead of just looking at letters on a page, your child sees, hears, says, and touches them simultaneously.

Here are a couple examples of "multi-sensory activities" you can do at home:

  • Sand or salt tray writing: Spread a thin layer of sand or salt in a baking tray. Have your child trace letters with their finger while saying the letter sounds out loud.
  • Modeling clay letters: Shape letters out of clay or playdough while practicing their sounds.

These activities don’t require expensive tools. They simply require engaging your child’s whole body in the learning process. 

Interested in learning more about how "Ladder to Success Tutoring" can help your child?  Send me a message at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com!

Saturday, August 29, 2026

"Gameworld" Overview

What makes "Ladder to Success Tutoring" different?  It's definitely our "Gameworld!"

Watch below for a overview of how our students can learn in our super fun online environment!

 



Want to see more video examples of our tutoring sessions? Click here for our YouTube Channel!    

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Enrollment Process and Tuition Rates

 



Considering "Ladder to Success Tutoring" for your child?  Let's talk about our process and tuition!

Every child receives both an assessment and "trial lesson" for free. After that, we'll develop a personalized plan for your child that is tailored to both his or her strengths and potential areas for growth.

While each child is an individual, and the recommended amount of sessions will vary, the general rate for tutoring services will be $70 per hour.

More questions?  Please email us at laddertosuccesstutoring@gmail.com.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Watch a Lesson in our "Gameworld!"

Curious about what a Ladder to Success lesson looks like in our "Gameworld?"

Watch the video below to see a lesson about the 'oo' (long u) sound.



Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Can Playing Specialized Games Help with Reading Disabilities?

What makes "Ladder to Success Tutoring" different?



I will develop an individualized plan for your child to meet their unique "reading education needs" that builds off of their strengths.  We will develop a "ladder to success" to get your child to the next level after assessing where any gaps are. 

Lessons will be engaging by being held in a super fun "Gameworld" where there are activities that meet their learning needs. There will be constant progress monitoring, and daily communication with the parents on how their child is progressing.  

I know how frustrating Dyslexia and other reading disabilities can be for the entire family, and I truly believe that each child who crosses my path does so for a reason.  I know your child can be successful, and I know that I have the tools and knowledge to help them.

About Trisha



Hello!  My name is Trisha Barnett, and I am so excited to work with your child at "Ladder to Success Tutoring!"

I have a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa with endorsements in reading and language arts. I have training in the Orton Gillingham approach to Dyslexia, and I have spent the last 1.5 years tutoring students who have Dyslexia online in a super fun "Gameworld" using both Orton Gillingham and the University of Florida Literacy Institute to ensure student success.

In addition to working with students through my online platform, I also have taught a couple homeschool classes online and tutored students in reading for the last 8 years online.
 
Before my experience tutoring students online, I was a K-8 Reading Specialist at the Dunkerton Community School District in Dunkerton, Iowa and also taught fourth grade there. I also taught second grade in the Johnston Community School District in Johnston, Iowa.

I can't wait to help your child climb the "ladder to success!"

Welcome to Ladder to Success Tutoring!


Ladder to Success Tutoring 
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