The Learning Cove

💙 How The Learning Cove Began 💙

As two elementary teachers with more than 25 years of combined classroom experience, we started seeing a pattern that concerned us.

Students were trying their best… but many were struggling to keep up.

Between COVID learning gaps, larger class sizes, and a fast-paced curriculum, many kids simply aren’t getting the time and support they need to truly understand the material before moving on.

That’s where The Learning Cove was born.
We created a teacher-led tutoring program designed to give students what the classroom sometimes can’t:
✨ Small group or personalized instruction
✨ Time to practice and build confidence
✨ Support tailored to how each child learns

We work with students in grades 1–6 in:
📚 Reading
✏️ Writing
➗ Math
📖 Study Skills

We also specialize in helping students with learning differences develop the strategies they need to succeed.

Our goal is simple:
Help students feel confident, capable, and proud of their learning again.

📍 Serving families in Harford and Baltimore Counties
📞 Call or text 443-987-3586 for a free consultation

💙 Small Business Wednesday | Bel Air Friends 💙

Report cards are coming home soon… and if you’re thinking “this just shouldn’t be this hard,” I get it.

At The Learning Cove, we help elementary and middle school students with reading, writing, math, and study skills, with a special focus on kids with learning differences. Everything we do is personalized and built to boost confidence—not frustration.

Now is a great time to check in and set your child up for a much smoother third quarter. School shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

We’re a teacher-created tutoring business, and I’d love to chat and see how we can help.

📞 Call or text 443-987-3586 for a free consultation 💛

Here are a few good ones for the kids…

🔢 What Dyscalculia Can Look Like in the Classroom

Hey everyone! 👋
As classroom teachers and the owners of The Learning Cove, we often support students who try hard in math but continue to struggle with numbers in unexpected ways. When math feels confusing despite consistent effort, dyscalculia may be part of the picture.

📘 What Is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a learning difference that affects number sense, math facts, and mathematical reasoning. These challenges are neurological—not motivational—and can impact students across all grade levels.

✨ Common Signs of Dyscalculia
You might notice:
• Difficulty recognizing numbers or quantities
• Trouble memorizing math facts
• Confusion with place value, time, or money
• Anxiety or frustration during math tasks

👀 What Parents Often See at Home
• Math homework takes much longer than expected
• Frequent finger counting beyond early grades
• Difficulty estimating or comparing quantities
• Inconsistent math performance from day to day

🔍 How Dyscalculia Is Supported
While there’s no cure, targeted strategies can help:
• Explicit, step-by-step instruction
• Visual models and hands-on learning
• Assistive tools and classroom accommodations
• Repetition that builds understanding—not speed

💙 Math struggles are not a reflection of intelligence. With the right support, students can build confidence and meaningful progress.

— Kelly & Michael
Teachers & Owners, The Learning Cove

🧩 What Dyspraxia Can Look Like in the Classroom

Hey everyone! 👋
As classroom teachers and the owners of The Learning Cove, we often support students who understand instructions but struggle to carry them out smoothly. When coordination, planning, and motor tasks feel unusually challenging, dyspraxia (also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder) may be part of the picture.

📘 What Is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia affects motor planning and coordination. It can impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills, organization, and daily classroom tasks—even when students are trying their best.

✨ Common Signs of Dyspraxia
You might notice:
• Difficulty with handwriting, cutting, or using tools
• Clumsiness or frequent dropping of items
• Trouble following multi-step directions
• Slower completion of tasks that require coordination

👀 What Parents Often See at Home
• Struggles with dressing, tying shoes, or buttons
• Avoidance of sports or physical activities
• Messy backpacks or difficulty staying organized
• Frustration when tasks feel overwhelming

🔍 How Dyspraxia Is Supported
While there’s no cure, the right supports can make a big difference:
• Occupational therapy
• Breaking tasks into smaller steps
• Extra time and reduced motor demands
• Visual supports and consistent routines

💙 Challenges with coordination are not a reflection of effort or intelligence. With understanding and support, students with dyspraxia can build confidence and independence.

— Kelly & Michael
Teachers & Owners, The Learning Cove

✏️ What Dysgraphia Can Look Like in the Classroom

Hey everyone! 👋
As classroom teachers and the owners of The Learning Cove, we often work with students who have big ideas, strong verbal skills, and wonderful creativity—but struggle to get those thoughts onto paper. One possible reason is dysgraphia, a learning disability that affects writing.

📚 What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia impacts the ability to write efficiently and clearly. It can affect handwriting, spelling, grammar, and organizing thoughts. Writing may be slow, exhausting, and frustrating—even for very capable students.

✨ Common Signs of Dysgraphia
You might notice:
1️⃣ Messy or inconsistent handwriting (uneven size, spacing, or alignment)
2️⃣ Difficulty with spelling and grammar, even when ideas are strong
3️⃣ Slow, labor-intensive writing that takes much longer than expected
4️⃣ Trouble organizing thoughts on paper

👀 What Parents Often See at Home

Homework that takes an unusually long time to complete

A child who avoids writing or becomes upset during writing tasks

Written work that doesn’t match what your child can explain verbally

Complaints of hand fatigue or discomfort when writing

Neat work one day and very messy work the next

🔍 How Is Dysgraphia Supported?
While there is no “cure,” the right strategies can make a huge difference:
1️⃣ Occupational therapy to support fine motor skills and writing stamina
2️⃣ Assistive technology (keyboarding, speech-to-text, graphic organizers)
3️⃣ Classroom accommodations (extra time, reduced copying, alternative responses)
4️⃣ Multisensory approaches that strengthen writing skills in supportive ways

💙 The most important thing for parents to know: dysgraphia is not a lack of effort or intelligence. With understanding, targeted support, and encouragement, students can build confidence and show what they truly know.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s writing, we’re always happy to help guide you in the right direction.

— Kelly & Michael
Teachers & Owners, The Learning Cove

📘 What Dyslexia Can Look Like in the Classroom

Hey everyone! 👋
As classroom teachers and the owners of The Learning Cove, we work with many bright, capable students who struggle with reading and spelling despite strong thinking skills and effort. One common reason is dyslexia, a learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language.

📚 What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that primarily impacts reading accuracy, fluency, spelling, and decoding. It has nothing to do with intelligence—many students with dyslexia are highly verbal, creative, and strong problem solvers.

✨ Common Signs of Dyslexia
You might notice:
1️⃣ Difficulty sounding out words or recognizing common sight words
2️⃣ Slow, choppy, or inaccurate reading
3️⃣ Trouble with spelling, even familiar words
4️⃣ Avoidance of reading aloud or independent reading

👀 What Parents Often See at Home

Homework that involves reading takes much longer than expected

Strong oral vocabulary but weak reading or spelling

Guessing at words instead of sounding them out

Emotional reactions to reading tasks (frustration, fatigue, shutdown)

A child who loves being read to but avoids reading independently

🧠 Why Dyslexia Can Look Different in Different Kids
Dyslexia is not one-size-fits-all. Children can present very differently:

Some struggle mostly with decoding (sounding out words)

Some read accurately but very slowly

Some understand what they hear but struggle with written comprehension

Some have strong reading skills but significant spelling difficulties

Two children with dyslexia may have completely different strengths and needs—which is why individualized support is so important.

🔍 How Is Dyslexia Supported?
While dyslexia is lifelong, effective instruction makes a tremendous difference:
1️⃣ Structured literacy instruction (explicit, systematic phonics)
2️⃣ Multisensory approaches that engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning
3️⃣ Classroom accommodations (extra time, audiobooks, reduced reading load)
4️⃣ Assistive technology (text-to-speech, audiobooks, spelling supports)

💙 The most important thing for parents to know: dyslexia does not define your child’s potential. With the right instruction and support, students with dyslexia can become confident readers and lifelong learners.

If you have concerns about your child’s reading or spelling, we’re always happy to talk and help guide next steps.

— Kelly & Michael
Teachers & Owners, The Learning Cove

📚 Then vs. Now!
School has changed a lot since the 1980s…

What do you miss most about going to school back then?

A️⃣ Recess with no phones
B️⃣ Passing notes in class
C️⃣ Book fairs & Scholastic catalogs
D️⃣ No online homework portals
E️⃣ Chalkboards & overhead projectors

Drop your letter (or add your own!) 👇Let's show everyone with a picture what they are missing.

Kelly Puglisi Inquiring minds want to know...

✏️ Quick Parent Check-In! 📚
Which subject is the biggest struggle in your house right now?

A. Reading comprehension
B. Math problem-solving
C. Writing & organization
D. Homework motivation
E. Test anxiety

Comment with the letter below ⬇️
(You’re not alone—this is more common than you think 💙)

✏️ Quick Parent Check-In! 📚
Which subject is the biggest struggle in your house right now?

A. Reading comprehension
B. Math problem-solving
C. Writing & organization
D. Homework motivation
E. Test anxiety

Comment with the letter below ⬇️
(You’re not alone—this is more common than you think 💙)

✨ Happy New Year from The Learning Cove! ✨

As we welcome the new year, I want to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our amazing families for your trust, support, and partnership. It is truly a joy to work with your children and be part of their learning journey.

Wishing you and your families a year filled with growth, confidence, and success—both in and out of the classroom!

— The Learning Cove