Reading Through Intentional Play

Welcome to Reading Through Play, your friendly neighborhood reading coach!

My mission is to make your child the best reader they can be, all through the magic of play.

What sets me apart?

I blend the science of how our brains learn to read with fun, engaging activities. I’ve got an arsenal of techniques, activities, and resources that I’ve personally used with my students—trust me, they’re incredibly effective. Kids love our sessions because we make reading an absolute blast.

So, how do I do it?
I transform those daunting phonics lists into playful, enjoyable activities.

I believe that learning to read should be fun and exciting, and I’m thrilled to guide you and your child on this wonderful journey.

Hey there! I’m a passionate teacher and reading coach with nearly two decades of experience in the educational world. I kicked off my journey by earning my AA degree at San Joaquin Delta College in 2000 (Stockton, CA), followed by a bachelor’s degree at California State University, Sacramento in 2004. Fast forward to 2024, I achieved my Reading Coach certification, and I’m currently pursuing my Masters degree in Elementary Education.

I’ve been lucky enough to teach in various roles and capacities, including an adventure teaching Kindergarten English in Mongolia and High School English and Linguistics in Japan. These experiences have broadened my perspective and enriched my teaching methods.

With expertise in working with students with dyslexia, English Language Development (ELD), and ADHD, I use engaging, multisensory activities to help students develop strong reading skills and a genuine love for literacy. This approach ensures both reading success and a lifelong passion for learning.

As the proud founder and owner of Reading Through Play, I have years of experience teaching young children, including my own kiddo! I’ve fine-tuned the most effective activities to build strong literacy foundations in a fun and engaging way. My mission is to make reading an enjoyable and exciting journey for every child.

As your child embarks on the Reading Through Play journey, you’ll witness their phonological skills flourish. Phonological awareness is an important skill for young learners as it helps them understand and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. Imagine it as your child’s ability to hear and play with sounds in words. For example, they might notice that “cat” and “bat” rhyme, or they can break down the word “dog” into its individual sounds: /d/, /o/, and /g/. This skill is crucial for learning to read, as it helps children connect sounds with letters and recognize patterns in words. By grasping these connections, young learners can decode words and read with greater ease and confidence. So, encouraging activities that involve rhyming, clapping out syllables, and playing sound games can really boost your child’s phonological awareness and set a solid foundation for their reading journey

Did you know that a child’s ability to rhyme in Kindergarten can predict their reading success in Grade One?

It’s true! Rhyming is the first of seven phonological skills your child will master with Reading Through Play.

The science of reading is all about understanding the magic behind how we learn to read. Imagine it as a giant toolbox filled with all the best tricks and methods that researchers have discovered about reading. This toolbox includes things like phonics (knowing the sounds letters make), vocabulary (understanding what words mean), fluency (reading smoothly), and comprehension (grasping the meaning of what you read).

Scientists study how our brains work when we read and find the most effective ways to teach reading to everyone, especially kids. It’s like having a secret recipe for baking the perfect cake, but instead, it’s for creating strong, confident readers.

No Prerequisites Needed!

 We start from the very beginning, so there’s no need for any prior knowledge! We’ll progress through the lessons at a comfortable pace, pausing whenever your child needs extra time to play and practice their new skills.

While most educators recommend beginning phonological awareness around the age of four, every child is unique. Some might be ready earlier, while others may need more time.

A teacher (or instructor) lays the foundation by teaching the basics of a skill, getting you started on your learning journey. Think of it as the starting point.

A reading coach, on the other hand, helps develop a student’s overall reading strategies and skills, working on the root causes of reading difficulties. They often team up with teachers to improve classroom instruction. A tutor focuses on specific reading skills, helping students catch up on immediate needs or assignments.

YES!

Research shows that reading and writing are like two peas in a pod. They both rely on similar skills, strategies, and knowledge. Phonics helps kids understand the sounds that letters make, while writing lets them put those sounds into action. By learning both at the same time, kids can see just how connected reading and writing really are.