While some students may start with stronger “literacy hygiene” or come from more advantaged backgrounds, it’s unfair to expect parents to shoulder the entire responsibility of preparing children for major milestones like learning to read. Just as a dentist doesn’t expect me to perfect my child’s dental care before the first checkup, we can’t place that same expectation on parents. As educators, we now know the most effective science-backed methods for teaching reading; we are the experts in this area. Parents already face countless pressures in today’s world, so we must take the lead in guiding students to become readers, with their support at home. If we’re struggling to do so, the responsibility falls on us to find better solutions. While I am not trying to stop the sales of wonderful resources like “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Steps” I don’t want families to feel that a child entering kindergarten as a non-reader is falling behind. By focusing on these practical, actionable strategies, we can set students up for success and help them thrive in their literacy journey.

This year, we’ve experimented with a more targeted approach. In partnership with the Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College Facebook Group, we’ve launched Teachers Teach Teachers, a free professional learning program where we convene groups of teachers over Zoom and show and discuss short instructional clips from our fellows’ classrooms.

My advice: channel your inner Anna and "do the next right thing!" Making big changes all at once can feel overwhelming, especially without support. Instead, choose one or two areas to focus on and make them your goal for the year. Dive deep into learning about them, establish a routine, and commit to it. Thankfully, finding support today is easier than ever. Turn to social media and join groups that align with your goals. Connect with cohorts of educators who are moving in the same direction—finding like-minded individuals, even from afar, can be incredibly motivating. You can also lean on credible resources to reinforce and guide your instructional shifts. Small, intentional steps can lead to meaningful change!