Why Kids Struggle to Read & The Science of Reading Explained

Is your child struggling to read, or are you wondering if their school is actually using the right methods to teach them?

In this episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Jessica Reid Sliwerski—a former teacher, literacy leader, breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Ignite Reading. Jess shares her fearless mission to ensure every child learns to read on time using the "science of reading." We dive into why traditional ways of teaching reading are failing our kids, how evidence-based phonics and data-driven instruction can rapidly turn things around, and what parents can do at home to advocate for their children's education.

From being banned from volunteering at her own daughter's school to launching a nationwide virtual tutoring program during the pandemic, Jessica's story is one of raw hope, resilience, and relentless advocacy for our youth.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why the "science of reading" is the critical missing piece in early literacy
• The problem with traditional reading instruction in modern schools
• How Ignite Reading uses virtual 1-on-1 tutoring to close the education gap
• Why kindergarten and first grade are the most crucial years for reading development
• Actionable tips and word games for parents to build vocabulary at home
• Jessica's inspiring journey of navigating a breast cancer diagnosis while scaling her mission

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - A Cancer Survivor’s Purpose & Mission
00:45 - Show Disclaimer & Intro
02:18 - Welcome Guest: Jessica Reid Sliwerski
03:24 - Early Teaching Struggles & Failing Methods
04:24 - Discovering the Science of Reading
09:18 - Scaling Literacy Impact in Schools
10:45 - Banned From Volunteering at Her Daughter’s School
14:19 - Proving All Kids Can Learn to Read
15:47 - The Pandemic Zoom Breakthrough
17:22 - The Vision for a Virtual Reading Corps
19:14 - The Reality of Kindergarten Reading Skills
21:22 - The Daily Alphabet Debate
23:51 - The Phonics "Schwa" Problem Explained
25:37 - The Need for Strong Instructional Leadership
27:28 - How Tutors are Trained for Success
28:38 - "Mind Movies" and Reading Comprehension
31:37 - Word Games to Build Vocabulary at Home
33:56 - Navigating a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
35:42 - How Ignite Reading Actually Works
38:55 - Funding and Scaling Access for Students
40:05 - Why Early Literacy Matters More Than Ever
43:12 - The "First Grade Promise" Mission
47:20 - Parent Tips and Reading Benchmarks
51:54 - Home Programs and Episode Wrap-Up

Connect with Us:
Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrealynnintuitive
Learn more about Ignite Reading: https://ignite-reading.com/

#ScienceOfReading #EarlyLiteracy #TeachKidsToRead #ParentingTips #IgniteReading #WakeUpYourSoul #AndreaLynn