Rethinking Reading Interventions: Why Traditional Tutoring May Not Be Enough

For many parents, discovering that their child is struggling with reading leads to one logical next step: tutoring. Traditional reading interventions like tutoring often focus on reteaching material, practicing phonics, or providing extra help with reading assignments. While these strategies can be beneficial for students who have fallen behind due to missed instruction or lack of practice, they often fail to address the underlying reasons why some children struggle with reading in the first place.

The Missing Piece: Cognitive Skills and Reading Success

Reading is a complex cognitive task that requires strong underlying brain skills. Researchers have identified several cognitive skills that are essential for reading success, including:

• Phonemic awareness – the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in words
• Processing speed – how quickly the brain can take in and use information
• Working memory – the ability to hold and manipulate information while reading
• Auditory processing – the ability to make sense of the sounds of language
• Attention – the ability to focus on and sustain effort during reading

When one or more of these skills is weak, a child will likely struggle with reading—regardless of how much extra instruction they receive.

Where Traditional Tutoring Falls Short

Traditional tutoring focuses on what students learn (such as letter sounds, sight words, or comprehension strategies), but it doesn’t necessarily improve how they learn. If weak cognitive skills are at the root of a child’s reading struggles, simply providing more reading instruction isn’t enough.

Read More: What the Research Says About Delaying Reading Intervention >>

A Different Approach to Reading Interventions: Targeting the Root Cause

Rather than reteaching the same reading strategies over and over, a more effective approach is to strengthen the cognitive skills that make reading possible in the first place. This is where cognitive training comes in. Unlike tutoring, cognitive training is designed to:

• Strengthen the underlying brain skills necessary for reading success
• Improve memory, attention, and processing speed
• Create lasting improvements rather than temporary coping strategies

Our programs are based in the Science of Reading, providing a structured literacy program that is rich in comprehension strategies along with cognitive skill strengthening. In a research study, past clients have gained 4.1 years on average, across 5 reading skill areas—in only 24 weeks!*

Read More: Research Supporting the LearningRx Reading Program >>

Find the Right Reading Interventions for Your Child

If your child has been receiving tutoring but is still struggling with reading, it may be time to consider a different approach. A cognitive skills assessment can identify the specific reasons why your child is struggling with reading. Understanding these weaknesses can help you find a solution that doesn’t just help them get by—but actually helps them thrive.

At LearningRx, we specialize in identifying and strengthening the cognitive skills necessary for reading success. Schedule a cognitive assessment today to uncover the root cause of your child’s reading difficulties and set them on a path to confident, lifelong reading success!

*Results from past clients. You or your loved ones may or may not achieve the same outcomes.