Leap Forward Learning

01/22/2026

Cascade is a free online tool for students and teachers alike. I am so excited about the potential of this tool to help struggling readers comprehend and break down text, enabling them to digest and understand what they are reading.

It's not just for kids and teachers; it's for anyone who has difficulty with comprehension!

https://cascadereading.com/

Our mission is to help readers to improve comprehension and find the joy in reading.

Join a reading revolution with Cascade Reading. Our linguistic algorithms create a unique text format that enhances comprehension. Try for Free!

11/28/2025

🔊 All About Sounds — Part 4!
We’re wrapping up the series with nasal sounds—the ones you feel in your nose!
Sounds like /m/, /n/, and /ng/ are unique and powerful for early readers.

Parents will learn:
✔️ What nasal sounds are
✔️ How to help children “feel” the sound for better clarity
✔️ Why these sounds make blending easier
✔️ How nasal sounds support spelling and writing

Understanding sounds builds strong, confident readers—and you can support this right at home!

➡️ Watch Part 4, and message me if you’d like support tailored to your child’s needs.

11/26/2025

🔊 All About Sounds — Part 3!
Some sounds stop abruptly—no stretching allowed!
In today’s video, we’re diving into clipped (stop) sounds like /b/, /d/, /g/, /k/, /p/, and /t/.

Parents will learn:
✔️ Why adding “uh” to these sounds confuses kids
✔️ How to produce true clipped sounds
✔️ Why proper sound pronunciation is critical for blending
✔️ Tips for practicing at home

If your child says “tuh-a-puh” instead of tap, this video is a must-see!

➡️ Watch Part 3, then join me for the final video.

11/25/2025

🔊 All About Sounds — Part 2!
Let’s talk consonants—especially the ones we can stretch!
In this video, I explain continuant sounds (like /m/, /s/, /f/) and why they make blending words MUCH easier for early readers.

Parents will learn:
✔️ What continuant sounds are
✔️ Why “stretchy sounds” are easier to blend
✔️ How to model correct sound production at home
✔️ How this boosts decoding confidence

These little tweaks make a BIG difference in how quickly kids begin to read!

➡️ Watch Part 2, and stay tuned for Part 3.

11/24/2025

🔤 Why Start with Lowercase Letters?
Most of the print your child sees—books, signs, worksheets—is lowercase.
Teaching lowercase first helps kids:
✨ recognize letters faster
✨ connect sounds to print
✨ avoid confusion between letter forms

Watch as I explain why this research-backed approach gives early readers a stronger start!

💬 Questions? Drop them in the comments!

If you have a new or struggling reader reach out today I would love to be able to help you!

11/24/2025

🔊 All About Sounds — Part 1!
Did you know some sounds “turn your voice on” while others don’t?
Today’s video breaks down voiced vs. unvoiced sounds AND explains why vowels are the heartbeat of every word.

Parents will learn:
✔️ How to tell if a sound is voiced
✔️ Why unvoiced sounds matter for clear articulation
✔️ What makes vowels unique (and essential!)
✔️ How this improves reading accuracy and blending

Your child can’t read fluently without mastering these foundational skills!

➡️ Watch Part 1, and follow along with the full series this week.
✨ Want personalized reading support? I’m currently enrolling students!

11/21/2025

🔤 Why Start with Lowercase Letters?
Most of the print your child sees—books, signs, worksheets—is lowercase.
Teaching lowercase first helps kids:
✨ recognize letters faster
✨ connect sounds to print
✨ avoid confusion between letter forms

Watch as I explain why this research-backed approach gives early readers a stronger start!

💬 Questions? Drop them in the comments!

If you have a new or struggling reader reach out today I would love to be able to help you!

11/19/2025

📣 Now Enrolling – Limited Openings Available!

✨ Leap Forward Learning | Structured Literacy & Math Intervention

I currently have a few openings for new students, and I’m excited to support learners who need targeted help in reading, writing, AND math:

🕓 After-School: 2 openings
📅 Weekend: 1 opening
🌞 Daytime (Ideal for Homeschool & Kindergarten Learners): Multiple openings

Whether your child needs support with:
🔹 Early literacy skills
🔹 Dyslexia intervention
🔹 Reading fluency & comprehension
🔹 Writing & spelling
🔹 Math foundations & fact fluency
🔹 Confidence-building
…they will receive structured, evidence-based instruction designed to meet their specific needs.

My sessions are diagnostic, prescriptive, and individualized—helping your child grow in both skills and confidence. 💙📚➕➗

✨ Spots fill quickly—send me a message to claim your child’s session time!
Or contact me directly:
📧 [email protected]
📱 (724) 473-3550

Let’s help your child leap forward this year—in reading and math! 🚀

11/18/2025

🔊Does your child know all their letter sounds — correctly? 🤔
So many readers struggle because they’ve picked up extra “uh” sounds (like saying /buh/ instead of /b/) or they have learned “letter names” instead of “letter sounds.”

In this quick video, I’ll show you how to model clean, clear letter sounds that set readers up for success.

✨ Strong letter sounds → Strong blending → Strong readers.✨

👉 Want support building a solid reading foundation at home? Comment SOUNDS and I’ll send you my free parent guide to clean letter pronunciation!👈

11/04/2025

✍️ Handwriting is not outdated — it’s neuroscience in action.

✴️ Writing by hand is a full-body brain workout. It activates thinking, sensing, moving, and remembering — all at once. Each stroke engages fine motor control, sensory awareness, focused attention, and memory.

Typing is faster, but handwriting builds deeper neural connections and makes learning more lasting. It slows you down — in the best possible way — so your brain can truly absorb, not just record.

✍️ The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing — Who Wins the Battle? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11943480/pdf/life-15-00345.pdf

✳️ The Power of Handwriting: Improved Reading, Thinking, Memory and Learning (Writing by hand engages multiple senses at once and strengthens cognitive abilities.)
https://www.the74million.org/article/the-power-of-handwriting-improved-reading-thinking-memory-and-learning/