Reading is a foundational skill that not only shapes academic achievement but also a student’s confidence and self-esteem. At Lindamood-Bell, we believe that all individuals can learn to read and comprehend to their potential. Our instruction for struggling readers is based on programs authored by our founders. It offers a personalized, evidence-based approach that ensures every student receives the focused attention they need to succeed. By identifying and addressing the underlying causes of reading difficulties, our instruction helps build essential skills and enables students to discover the joy of learning. Learn how our approach can transform struggling readers into confident, independent learners.
Understanding Struggling Readers
Students who struggle with reading may exhibit signs such as poor phonemic awareness, difficulty decoding words, and poor fluency. These challenges often lead to frustration and reduced confidence in the classroom. Without the right support, reading difficulties can affect academic performance across all subjects and hinder a child’s willingness to engage.
Another common issue is difficulty remembering sight words or spelling words correctly. Some students may spell phonetically and sound out words accurately, yet struggle to recognize those same words moments later in connected text. This is often the result of weak symbol imagery—the ability to visualize letters and sounds within words.
Symbol imagery is critical for orthographic awareness, which is recognizing and remembering the visual patterns of words. Students with weak symbol imagery often:
- Struggle to memorize sight words
- Have trouble with orthographic (visual) spelling
- Sound out words accurately, but fail to recognize them later
- Show inconsistent fluency and slow self-correction
- Experience difficulty in contextual reading
At Lindamood-Bell, we specialize in delivering individualized instruction using evidence-based reading programs for struggling readers developed by our founders. Our approach is designed to strengthen the sensory-cognitive skills that underlie reading, including symbol imagery, to support lasting success.
How Our Instruction for Struggling Readers Works
At Lindamood-Bell, we understand that struggling readers need more than extra practice. They need evidence-based instruction tailored to their unique needs. Our instruction is grounded in a deep understanding of the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading. Using programs developed by our founders, we provide engaging instruction that develops foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness and symbol imagery.
Each student begins with a comprehensive learning ability evaluation to determine their strengths and specific areas for growth. Based on the results, we create an individualized learning plan that targets the skills most in need of development. This highly personalized approach ensures that students gain meaningful progress with each instructional session.
Sessions are interactive and engaging, designed to make learning both effective and enjoyable. Through one-to-one instruction, students stay motivated while building the confidence needed to take on academic challenges.
Success Stories: Transforming Struggling Readers
Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of students find success through instruction based on the reading programs developed by our founders. We’re proud to share stories from families who have seen remarkable growth in their children’s reading abilities and enthusiasm for learning.
One such student is Alyssa, who was falling behind in reading and struggling in school. After receiving personalized instruction at Lindamood-Bell, Alyssa gained the tools and confidence to thrive.
Watch Alyssa’s story:
Many parents share their stories of how Lindamood-Bell instruction has helped their children become more engaged in school, more independent, and excited about reading, often for the first time. The impact goes far beyond academics—it helps spark a lifelong love of learning.
Why Our Approach to Reading Instruction Works for Struggling Readers
At Lindamood-Bell, our instruction is guided by decades of research and real-world results. The reading programs developed by our founders target the sensory-cognitive skills most essential for learning to read. One key component of our instruction is the Seeing Stars® program, developed by Lindamood-Bell co-founder Nanci Bell.
Seeing Stars develops symbol imagery—the ability to visualize sounds and letters in words—as a basis for:
- Orthographic awareness
- Phonemic awareness
- Word attack and recognition
- Spelling
- Contextual reading fluency
Symbol imagery is vital to developing the automaticity and fluency that confident readers rely on. Even students with strong phonemic awareness can struggle to establish a reliable bank of sight words or read fluently in context if symbol imagery is weak. Fortunately, symbol imagery can be assessed and developed with the right instruction.
Instruction is provided one-to-one and customized to each student’s pace and learning profile. Whether in person at a Learning Center or online, students receive the same high-quality experience, making our approach effective and accessible for busy families.
Choosing Lindamood-Bell means joining a supportive, collaborative community. We work closely with families, offering regular updates, strategy sessions, and expert guidance to help support learning at home. Our team is committed to student success and to providing encouragement at every step of the journey.
Getting Started with a Reading Program for Struggling Readers
Getting started is simple: call us at 800-300-1818 or contact us online. We’ll discuss solutions for your child’s specific reading difficulties and explain how our instruction can help build the skills they need to succeed. Our learning experts are ready to help answer your questions. Get in touch today!
Next, we conduct a thorough evaluation to identify your child’s learning strengths and needs. Based on this assessment, we design a customized instruction plan that targets the areas where your child needs the most support. You’ll receive a detailed summary of our findings and recommendations for the next steps.
To support families everywhere, we offer live, one-to-one online instruction. Our virtual students make gains comparable to those attending in person, and the flexible format fits easily into busy schedules.
At Lindamood-Bell, we’re passionate about helping every student succeed. Our instruction empowers students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Start your journey with us today and watch your child thrive!
