Where Learning Becomes an Adventure
Reading Through Intentional Playtime
Discover a world where reading is fun, engaging, and tailored to your child’s unique learning journey.
Our play-based approach ensures every child develops a love for reading.
Hands-On Learning
Students get explicit teaching, guided practice, and independent work on vital literacy skills.
Adaptive Learning
A personalized learning experience that boosts reading success for all abilities.
Inclusive Support
Built-in assistance for children with dyslexia, ADHD, or those learning English.
Teacher Owned and Ran Business.
Meet Jessica!
A passionate teacher and reading coach with nearly 20 years of experience, Jessica has taught in classrooms around the world, from Mongolia to Japan. She holds a Reading Coach certification and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Elementary Education. Her expertise includes working with students with dyslexia, ESL, and ADHD, using interactive, multisensory techniques to build strong reading skills.
Making Reading Fun and Engaging
As the founder of Reading Through Play, Jessica has crafted fun, effective literacy activities that spark a love for reading. With years of experience teaching young children—including her own—she’s dedicated to making learning engaging, accessible, and enjoyable for every child.
Our Mission and Vision
Did you know…
that many kids’ reading programs have remained unchanged for over 30 years? Meanwhile, the best ways for children to learn have evolved significantly.
Studies show that kids learn far better with hands-on kinesthetic activities than with the old, boring tests we had back in the day. When kids have fun and enjoy a lesson, their brains remember it better. This helps them learn faster and recall things more easily.
That’s why classrooms are changing how they’re set up
with new layouts, seating, and schedules to better support kids’ learning. So why haven’t our reading programs changed too?
Most reading programs are still stuck in the same old, boring routine:
- Master letter and sound combinations
- Read flash cards to practice sight words
- Read paragraphs that include those sight words
- Write each word 10 times
- Take a reading test
- Repeat until they get it right.
The issue is clear:
kids find these programs no fun at all!
So it’s no surprise that kids end up dreading every reading lesson, feeling bored and frustrated, and sometimes even end up in tears. No wonder so many parents are struggling with kids who hate reading.
- It’s a struggle to get kids to read their 20 minutes a night for homework.
- Kids dawdle, and parents feel like they have to nag or even bribe just to get those few minutes of reading done each day.
- Reading has become a tug-of-war instead of the adventure and wonder that parents wish for their kids.
Yet, how can we expect something different when a child’s first exposure to reading is a bland page of text they are forced to read, over and over again, day after day?
It’s not that kids weren’t excited to learn how to read.
It’s that we made it so awful that they lost their interest.
This mirrors what I observed while teaching children in various classes and grade levels. One day, while observing a Kindergarten classroom, I noticed the teacher struggling to keep the kids engaged during their reading lesson.
The students were restless, uninterested, and easily distracted.
The teacher tried various techniques, but nothing seemed to capture their attention. As I watched her efforts, I thought to myself, “There has to be a better way to teach children to read.”
Seeing the kids’ enthusiasm during playtime, where they eagerly interacted with educational games and activities, I realized that incorporating more interactive and playful methods into reading lessons might be the key. This realization sparked my passion to find innovative and fun approaches to teaching reading, ones that would make kids eager to learn and discover the world of books.
That weekend, I went home and worked with my son, determined to find a way to make learning to read playful, fun, and something kids actually enjoyed. I spent the last year studying, working with educators and reading coaches with more than 40 years of teaching experience, and found a method to teach kids to read and love it.
Presenting…
Reading Through Play!
Using phonics, kids become master readers and spellers, capable of decoding and reading all sorts of complex words… all while playing with blocks, Hot Wheels, playdough, slime, action figures, and other toys they love.
Discover the Benefits
Program Benefits
Tailored Learning
Personalized, one-on-one reading instruction that celebrates every child’s unique potential.
Interactive & Extra Practice
Fun, hands-on activities in phonology and morphology to make learning exciting. Engaging activities that go beyond the standard curriculum, designed to reinforce and master challenging skills, building confidence and proficiency.
Scientific Approach
Our methods align with the proven Science of Reading.
Focused Skills
We zero in on key reading skills like phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency.
Parental Insights
Keep track of your child’s progress with real-time growth updates.
Custom Phonics Practice
Multi-sensory phonics activities tailored to each student’s needs.
What is Reading Through Play and how can you help my child be a better reader?
Welcome to Reading Through Play, your friendly neighborhood reading coach!
My mission is to make your child the best reader they can be, all through the magic of play.
What sets me apart?
I blend the science of how our brains learn to read with fun, engaging activities. I’ve got an arsenal of techniques, activities, and resources that I’ve personally used with my students—trust me, they’re incredibly effective. Kids love our sessions because we make reading an absolute blast.
So, how do I do it?
I transform those daunting phonics lists into playful, enjoyable activities.
I believe that learning to read should be fun and exciting, and I’m thrilled to guide you and your child on this wonderful journey.
What are your qualifications?
Hey there! I’m a passionate teacher and reading coach with nearly two decades of experience in the educational world. I kicked off my journey by earning my AA degree at San Joaquin Delta College in 2000 (Stockton, CA), followed by a bachelor’s degree at California State University, Sacramento in 2004. Fast forward to 2024, I achieved my Reading Coach certification, and I’m currently pursuing my Masters degree in Elementary Education.
I’ve been lucky enough to teach in various roles and capacities, including an adventure teaching Kindergarten English in Mongolia and High School English and Linguistics in Japan. These experiences have broadened my perspective and enriched my teaching methods.
With expertise in working with students with dyslexia, English Language Development (ELD), and ADHD, I use engaging, multisensory activities to help students develop strong reading skills and a genuine love for literacy. This approach ensures both reading success and a lifelong passion for learning.
As the proud founder and owner of Reading Through Play, I have years of experience teaching young children, including my own kiddo! I’ve fine-tuned the most effective activities to build strong literacy foundations in a fun and engaging way. My mission is to make reading an enjoyable and exciting journey for every child.
What is phonological awareness?
As your child embarks on the Reading Through Play journey, you’ll witness their phonological skills flourish. Phonological awareness is an important skill for young learners as it helps them understand and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. Imagine it as your child’s ability to hear and play with sounds in words. For example, they might notice that “cat” and “bat” rhyme, or they can break down the word “dog” into its individual sounds: /d/, /o/, and /g/. This skill is crucial for learning to read, as it helps children connect sounds with letters and recognize patterns in words. By grasping these connections, young learners can decode words and read with greater ease and confidence. So, encouraging activities that involve rhyming, clapping out syllables, and playing sound games can really boost your child’s phonological awareness and set a solid foundation for their reading journey
Did you know that a child’s ability to rhyme in Kindergarten can predict their reading success in Grade One?
It’s true! Rhyming is the first of seven phonological skills your child will master with Reading Through Play.
What is The Science of Reading?
The science of reading is all about understanding the magic behind how we learn to read. Imagine it as a giant toolbox filled with all the best tricks and methods that researchers have discovered about reading. This toolbox includes things like phonics (knowing the sounds letters make), vocabulary (understanding what words mean), fluency (reading smoothly), and comprehension (grasping the meaning of what you read).
Scientists study how our brains work when we read and find the most effective ways to teach reading to everyone, especially kids. It’s like having a secret recipe for baking the perfect cake, but instead, it’s for creating strong, confident readers.
How do I know if my child is ready for Reading Through Play?
No Prerequisites Needed!
We start from the very beginning, so there’s no need for any prior knowledge! We’ll progress through the lessons at a comfortable pace, pausing whenever your child needs extra time to play and practice their new skills.
While most educators recommend beginning phonological awareness around the age of four, every child is unique. Some might be ready earlier, while others may need more time.
What is the difference between a Reading Coach, Teacher, and a Tutor?
A teacher (or instructor) lays the foundation by teaching the basics of a skill, getting you started on your learning journey. Think of it as the starting point.
A reading coach, on the other hand, helps develop a student’s overall reading strategies and skills, working on the root causes of reading difficulties. They often team up with teachers to improve classroom instruction. A tutor focuses on specific reading skills, helping students catch up on immediate needs or assignments.
Does Reading Through Play teach writing too?
YES!
Research shows that reading and writing are like two peas in a pod. They both rely on similar skills, strategies, and knowledge. Phonics helps kids understand the sounds that letters make, while writing lets them put those sounds into action. By learning both at the same time, kids can see just how connected reading and writing really are.
What Our Clients Say
Casspooh Calhoun
“My son at first did not like to read, and now he loves to read! He looks forward to reading everyday now! I recommend Mrs. Jessica to any parent who is looking for help with their child in reading!”
Starr Musgrove
“We love Reading Through Play! My daughter has excelled at school significantly after just 3 sessions! She is way more confident in her skills & learning so much stuff!”
Reading Through Play Success Path
Use our success path guide to learn where your child is at and where they should be in their development. If you’re unsure or would like to speak with a professional, schedule a free consultation with us.
Welcome to the BUCCANEER stage of learning!
Here’s what your little explorer might be doing:
- They know 5-10 letters—arrr, that’s a good start!
- They start pretending to read, just like a real pirate.
- They realize that words on a page have meaning, like finding hidden treasure.
- They spot familiar signs and logos in their surroundings—X marks the spot!
- They can recount the key details of a story after it’s been read to them, like sharing tales of their adventures.
- They recognize words that rhyme—ahoy, matey!
- They’re starting to write their name, making their mark on the map.
If your child is a BUCCANEER, congratulations! They’re on an exciting journey!
Your little one is cruising along on their learning journey, with some exciting adventures ahead! As they get ready for kindergarten, remember that play is still super important. It helps their brain work in harmony for better engagement, memory, and retention. Playtime isn’t just fun—it’s a crucial part of their learning.
Start here to advance your child’s reading with the Reading Through Play phonics program. Register here for your FREE assessment:
Welcome to the PATHFINDER stage of learning!
Here’s what your adventurous learner might be doing:
● They know most letters and their sounds—great job, explorer!
● They recognize a few basic sight words like “the,” “and,” and “me.”
● They understand that words are made up of sounds—decoding like a pro!
● They use pictures to help understand stories, like finding clues on a treasure map.
● They love books with repeating phrases or patterns—it’s like following a rhythmic path!
If your child is a PATHFINDER, congratulations! They’ve been working hard and are ready to dive into important foundational learning, like discovering the magic of reading!
Start here to advance your child’s reading with the Reading Through Play phonics program.
Register here for your FREE assessment:
Welcome to the TRAILBLAZER stage of learning! Here’s what your little adventurer
might be doing:
● They know most letters and can match them to their sounds—fantastic progress!
● They’re starting to sound out simple words by identifying beginning and ending sounds, just like a detective.
● They rely heavily on pictures to understand the story and guess unknown words—visual clues are their treasure maps!
● They may “read” familiar books by memorizing the text and relying on pictures—story time magic!
● They can read basic sight words like “cat,” “dog,” “the,” and “and.”
● They may not fully grasp the story plot or complex concepts just yet, but they’re on their way!
If your child is a TRAILBLAZER, congratulations! The steps they take now set the course for their future educational journey. Give them an amazing head start in reading, building confidence and a love for books that will last a lifetime.
Start here to advance your child’s reading with the Reading Through Play phonics program.
Register here for your FREE assessment:
Welcome to the GUIDE stage of learning! Here’s what your little navigator might be
doing:
● They can sound out most basic phonemes and blend them together to read words—great progress!
● They recognize and read common high-frequency words quickly.
● They can answer basic questions about a story, identify main characters, and retell key events—story time champs!
● They read with increasing smoothness and appropriate pace, though they may still pause to sound out some words.
● They can self-correct when they make mistakes—awesome self-awareness!
● They use picture clues and context clues to figure out unfamiliar words—smart problem-solving!
If your child is a GUIDE, congratulations! The steps they take now set the course for their future educational journey. Give them an amazing head start in reading, building confidence and a love for books that will last a lifetime.
Start here to advance your child’s reading with the Reading Through Play phonics and writing program.
Register here for your FREE assessment: