Strong Start Reading Program gives Children a Chance at Lifelong Success
BIGGER DREAMS AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE- Sean’s Story graciously shared by Carolyn
I want to share the story of how Strong Start changed my son Sean’s life… My story starts with Senior Kindergarten, where I could see Sean losing interest in school. At home, he avoided talking about his class and was very reluctant to read with me. It was like he didn’t understand the concept of reading. No amount of coaching or encouragement by me or his dad made a difference.
When he started Letters, Sounds and Words, Sean knew 26 of 52 letter sounds and three of the 28 words by sight. His beginning reading level was 0.
At first, there seemed to be no change, but come Week 5 it was as if a terrible burden had been lifted. He smiled more and seemed more confident. One evening, as I watched him play a Mario and Luigi game on his Nintendo DS. The game has written prompts, which either his brother or I read to him. On this particular night, Sean, without hesitation, read aloud the instruction printed on his DS screen. Then he looked over at me and his big blue eyes opened wide. “Did you hear that?” he asked.
Sean has not looked back. What he gained from this experience goes way beyond learning to read. He is so much more independent and happy. Sean dreams bigger now that he can read. He feels anything is possible. His current career goals are to be a double Olympian, competing in both summer and winter sports, and then to be the manager of the waterpark at Canada’s Wonderland. Strong Start made a significant and positive difference in my son’s life.