Pre-Literacy and Early Literacy Instruction Groups: FAQ
We are thrilled to announce our pre-literacy and early literacy instruction groups for fall enrollment. Since launching these programs, we have received wonderful feedback from families in our community, and we are excited to continue offering this service. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about our group programs.
What Are the Literacy Instruction Groups?
Our literacy instruction groups are small-group programs designed to build foundational reading skills in young children. We offer two levels:
- Pre-Literacy Groups: For children who are not yet reading independently and need support building the foundational skills that come before formal reading instruction.
- Early Literacy Groups: For children who have begun reading but are struggling with decoding, fluency, or comprehension at the early stages.
Both groups use structured, evidence-based methods to teach critical skills in a supportive, engaging environment.
Who Are These Groups For?
These groups are designed for children who:
- Are in pre-kindergarten through early elementary grades
- Show signs of difficulty with letter recognition, letter-sound correspondence, or phonemic awareness
- Are beginning to read but struggling with accuracy, fluency, or confidence
- Would benefit from additional literacy instruction beyond what the classroom provides
- Have risk factors for dyslexia or other reading difficulties
The groups are also a great fit for children who may not yet qualify for formal reading intervention but who would benefit from preventive, skill-building instruction.
What Skills Are Taught?
Depending on the level, our groups address:
Pre-Literacy Skills
- Letter identification and formation
- Phonemic awareness (rhyming, sound isolation, blending, segmenting)
- Vocabulary development
- Print awareness and concepts of print
- Narrative skills and story comprehension
Early Literacy Skills
- Phonics and decoding strategies
- Sight word recognition
- Reading fluency
- Spelling patterns
- Reading comprehension strategies
- Written expression foundations
How Are the Groups Structured?
Our groups are intentionally small --- typically three to five children --- to ensure each child receives individualized attention. Sessions are led by a licensed speech-language pathologist with specialized training in literacy instruction.
Each session follows a structured, systematic format that includes:
- A warm-up activity to review previously taught skills
- Direct instruction on new skills
- Guided practice with immediate feedback
- Independent or paired practice
- A closing activity to reinforce the day’s learning
What Makes These Groups Different from School Reading Programs?
Our literacy instruction groups differ from typical classroom reading instruction in several important ways:
- Small group size allows for individualized attention and immediate error correction
- Specialized instruction is delivered by a trained clinician, not a classroom teacher managing 20 or more students
- Structured, systematic methods ensure skills are taught in a logical sequence with appropriate pacing
- Multisensory techniques engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways simultaneously
How Do I Enroll?
Enrollment is open for our fall session. To enroll your child or to learn more about whether our groups would be a good fit, contact Kansas City Speech Professionals directly. We are happy to answer any additional questions and to discuss your child’s specific needs.
Spaces are limited due to our small group sizes, so we encourage families to reach out early to secure a spot. We look forward to welcoming new families into our programs this fall.