DiscoverThe Science of Reading FormulaWhat to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"
What to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"

What to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"

Update: 2025-11-03
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Description

What do you say when a parent questions your reading instruction with, “This isn’t how I learned to read”? In this episode, we’re giving you clear, confident responses that help build trust and explain the science of reading—without getting lost in the research.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

  • What parents really mean when they say, “I didn’t learn to read like this”.
  • How to use a math analogy that makes phonics click for families.
  • Why we’ve moved away from leveled books and sight word memorization.
  • A simple way to talk about decodable texts (that parents actually understand).
  • How to keep the conversation going all year without overwhelm.

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What to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"

What to Say When Parents Tell You "I Didn't Learn to Read Like This"

Malia Hollowell