• Lessons go for 45-minutes (online), however please reserve the full hour, in case we need to go over time. You will be emailed teacher feedback/notes about your child’s learning after each session.
• You will need your own Wi-Fi connection, & a computer, tablet, or laptop.  A headset with a microphone may also be useful.
• A small whiteboard & marker, OR a One by Wacom can help maximise learning time & allow for writing/spelling practice.
• I request students be seated in a chair (for good posture), at a clutter-free table, in a quiet room of your home (not a bedroom).
• To ensure children remain safe online, parents must be in attendance.
• We will be using the fun Koala Go platform to keep the learning super enjoyable, super interactive & super memorable.
• 1:1 Online Tutoring can be scheduled at the same time each week, or by arrangement.

▪ Reading
▪ Writing
▪ Hand-Writing
▪ Spelling
▪ Phonics
▪ Comprehension
▪ Maths (by request)

I use Sounds-Write phonics & decodable readers to help beginning, developing & struggling students learn to read. This method improves spelling, simultaneously. I sometimes tutor other subjects (like maths) as needed — please ask 

Sounds-Write (lingustic phonics) is a structured, multi-sensory, code-oriented approach to teaching children to read & spell. 

As opposed to the widely-used traditional approach of visual phonics where children are taught that letters (rather than humans) somehow ‘say’ or ‘make’ sounds, Sounds-Write linguistic phonics makes learning to read (and spell) far more logical. It begins with the sounds of language (which children acquire naturally from birth) and sensibly teaches that letters are used to represent the sounds we speak. Children are instantly empowered as they realise they already possess half the equation when it comes to learning to read (the sounds!).

When reading and spelling are learned in this way, cognitive overload & learning gaps diminish, promoting understanding and confidence!

On the first day of school, your child may be asked to name letters/sounds, write their own name, count, group objects by number, shape, size & colour, make patterns, follow directions, hold conversation, tell a story, draw pictures, and answer comprehension questions.

Students lacking the school readiness skills to perform these early tasks can fall behind the class quickly and the challenge of catching up can lead to a dislike of school & even social isolation.

In contrast, when students begin school with foundational skills in place, teachers can more readily expand & develop their skills in literacy, language, fine motor control, social interaction, play & emotional intelligence.

Particularly for spelling, reading and writing, what you teach your child & how you teach it can have dramatic effects upon school success.

Many parents are unaware of the correct pronunciation of phonemes, or unsure of correct letter & number formation. Unwittingly, they may teach their child poor learning habits that put strain on their memory, attention, sequencing & processing skills — the essential brain skills behind all learning.

Code Word Brain takes the guesswork out of school readiness preparations with a clinical-strength, brain-based routine and phonics-based 1:1 tutoring — helping your child build strong foundations for a promising future.

“You are the most important teacher your child will ever have. You are their first teacher and their lifelong teacher. You.

The work that I do,
the work that any classroom teacher does, is secondary to the teaching that you do every single day of your child’s life.” 

Stroud, Gabbie. Dear Parents: Letters from the Teacher—your children, their education, and how you can help. Allen & Unwin

 The quote above and pointers below from Love and Logic Institute, guide my approach to teaching young children.

Do they also resonate with you?

• Help kids feel good about themselves.
• Help them learn to solve problems and think for themselves.
• Leave them with a healthy sense of self-control.
• Teach them to be responsible for the consequences of their actions.

My professional, personalised, brain-based tutoring helps primary school learners and pre-school or kindergarten children, aged 4½+.

However, to further enhance progress, please also ensure your child completes the gamified, 30-minutes of clinical-strength ‘cognitive homework’ (3 to 5 days per week), particularly if your child falls into any of the following categories:

• Starting school for the first time (School Readiness)
• Often hears or says words or letter sounds incorrectly
• Language & communication difficulties
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty holding attention / attention deficit 
• Difficulty following multi-step directions
• Falling behind peers
• Forgets information quickly or only remembers in part
• Reading & Comprehension struggles
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (or suspected)
• Dyslexia (or suspected)
• Auditory processing delays

• Letter recognition and naming
• Phonological awareness
• Letter-sound associations

Fast ForWord Reading Readiness builds pre-reading skills designed for 4-6 year old children. It helps young learners build cognitive and phonological skills needed for reading and spelling. Please note that full completion of the games will earn your child a certificate and this may take approximately 6- to 12-weeks, but even just a few weeks of the games will allow your child to practice important learning skills to help with their school journey. Please see a sample of the games here.