Erica Triggs

As a literacy interventionist, one of the questions I hear most often is, "What's the difference between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness?" The easiest way to explain it is to picture an umbrella. Phonological awareness is the umbrella. Under that umbrella are several different listening and language skills that develop from simple to more complex. These include word awareness, syllable awareness, onset-rime awareness, and phonemic awareness. These skills can and should be...

As a parent, it can be difficult to know when your child’s reading struggles are something they’ll outgrow or a sign they need extra support. It can also feel overwhelming to decide whether or not to pursue formal testing. Many families hesitate, wondering if it’s “too early,” “too extreme,” or even necessary. The good news is that there are effective, research-based ways to help children become confident, capable readers—and you don’t always need to have all the answers right away to get...

Tutors and teachers in private practice both support students and ultimately share the same goal—helping children succeed academically. That said, the structure and approach behind the work can look quite different. Understanding that distinction can help families choose the type of support that best fits their child’s needs. First, I always like to say that tutoring plays a really valuable role in education. Tutors help so many students stay on track, review classroom material, and build...