5 Powerful Reading Tips for Struggling Readers—What Speech-to-Print Teaches Us
By Catherine, Certified Reading Therapist & Dyslexia Specialist
[Blossoming Skills Reading Therapy]
Does your child work so hard at reading… but nothing seems to stick?
If you’re a parent searching for real, research-backed ways to help your struggling reader, you’re not alone. I’ve spent the last 20+ years working with students who’ve tried everything—tutoring, apps, school intervention—yet still feel “stuck.”
What changed everything?
Speech-to-print reading therapy (sometimes called linguistic phonics).
What Is Speech-to-Print—and Why Does It Help?
Traditional reading programs often start with letters and rules, then expect kids to “sound out” words.
But the speech-to-print approach flips the script:
We begin with spoken language—what your child already knows—and gradually connect it to print.
This method is especially powerful for struggling readers and kids with dyslexia, because it builds reading from the inside out.
Here are 5 practical speech-to-print reading tips you can use at home to help your child become a more confident, accurate reader:
1. Practice “Say It, Then Write It” (Not Just “Sound It Out”)
Most struggling readers get stuck trying to remember rules or letter patterns.
Instead, try this:
Say a simple word out loud (“map”).
Ask your child: “What sounds do you hear?” (/m/ /a/ /p/)
Then together, write each sound as a letter.
This builds the crucial skill of matching speech to print, one sound at a time.
2. Focus on Changing Sounds, Not Memorizing Words
Research shows that strong readers can change one sound at a time in a word (example: “cat” → change /k/ to /h/ = “hat”).
Try quick “swap it” games:
“Say ‘sand.’ Now change the /s/ to /h/—what’s the new word?”
This builds phonemic awareness—the foundation for all decoding, and a core part of speech-to-print and linguistic phonics.
3. Use Short, Repeated Practice Instead of Long Drills
Kids with reading challenges tire quickly.
5 minutes of focused “sound swapping” or “blend and read” each day is far more effective than 30 minutes of frustration.
Try “blending slides”: Write three letters (e.g., c-a-t), point to each, and have your child blend them together smoothly.
4. Teach Patterns in Context, Not Isolation
Speech-to-print methods teach spelling patterns as they naturally appear in real words.
Instead of memorizing a list, read short stories or sentences with target patterns (like “sh,” “ch,” or “oa”).
Underline or highlight the patterns as you read together.
This helps your child see—and hear—how sounds connect to letters in real reading.
5. Celebrate Progress—Big AND Small
Reading progress isn’t always linear.
Celebrate every new word, every smoother blend, every time your child tries, even if it’s hard.
Confidence grows when children feel safe to make mistakes—and know someone notices their effort.
When to Seek Extra Support
If you’ve tried these tips and your child is still struggling, don’t lose hope.
Speech-to-print reading therapy is specifically designed for kids who need a different, brain-based approach.
Ready for clarity?
Download my free Reading Root-Cause Checklist or book a free Reading Clarity Call to talk through your child’s needs and get a personalized plan.
You’re Not Alone
Hundreds of local families have already discovered that the right approach makes all the difference.
With the right support, your child can move from guessing and frustration to real confidence and progress.
If you have a question, feel free to email me directly at catherine@blossomingskillsreadingtherapy.net.
