Have you ever felt discouraged and frustrated about your child’s behavior or academic performance? Don’t give up: there’s hope. Your child can change because their brain is built to keep growing and learning how to overcome social, emotional, and academic challenges.

So, if we want our children to succeed, we must teach them to read intentionally, intensively, and proactively, because the brain begins building the foundations for reading from birth. Literacy begins in the cradle, not kindergarten.

Between kindergarten and second grade, your child is developing the foundational skills that will shape their reading future. But sometimes, subtle signs can signal that they’re falling behind—and early intervention can make all the difference. If your child is struggling to read, here are some signs to watch for: