Frequently asked questions

Start with play, not worksheets. Use the toys and routines you already have — diggers, bath foam, a homemade post box — and bring a few letters into that world. Say the sound as you play (“Here’s R — rrrrr!”) instead of quizzing “What’s this?” Kids learn letters when they fit their world, not when reading feels like a test.

Don’t dump the whole alphabet at once. Small groups (about three letters for toddlers, five once they’re a bit older) are easier to compare and remember. Pick letters that stand out from each other and matter to your child — a letter from their name, or ones that let you build simple words soon (like s, a, t, then p, i, n).

When letters are familiar, words sneak in: sound out short ones with magnets or beads, and play with common “tricky” words on toys and labels. Then move into simple books about their life — homemade pages first, then easy published readers. Keep sessions short, keep the joy in, and let them lead.

For ready-made play ideas, see Learn to read — free alphabet play cards to download and a parent reading book coming soon (waitlist open). Or enquire and tell us where your child is up to.

No. You need a marker, a few letters, and a child who likes to move. You don’t need fancy kits or a teaching degree. Tell the sound while you play; don’t turn it into a quiz. If you’ve got toys already in the house, you’re set — clearance-bin foam letters and a taped-up post box are enough to begin.

The at-home play ideas speak to families with young children building letter sounds and early words — including Prep — through to primary readers who still need confidence and practise. The alphabet play cards are built for letter names and sounds in short home sessions. Live online classes run from Prep to Year 6: Levelled Reading for Prep–Year 1, and writing courses for Years 1–6 in bands. Struggling-readers support covers Prep to Year 6.

Pull the quiz energy out first. If every book feels like a test, confidence drops fast. Go back to short, playful wins with letters and words they can actually manage, and books that feel like a breeze — not a struggle on every line. Reread favourites so fluency and swagger grow. Topics that match their world (tractors, pets, trips) hook them more than generic early readers.

If reading or writing has become a real battle — resistance, lost confidence, school literacy feeling stuck — that’s when to enquire about a one-on-one session. Our founder will get to know your child, conduct assessments and map a plan with you. Enquire here.

Yes, they’re free. The alphabet play cards are a printable download of at-home games that build letter names and sounds through play. Nothing is posted. Download them from the Learn to read at home page, print a set and play in short sessions.

A parent-friendly book on teaching a child to read at home through play is coming soon. Join the waitlist and we’ll let you know when it’s out. In the meantime, Instagram @storyandscribe.au and the Learn to read page share the same playful approach.

Start with a one-on-one session. Our founder will get to know your child, conduct assessments and map a plan with you, so you know what to practise now and what can wait. Enquire here and we’ll ring you for a free call to talk it through, or read more on Struggling readers.

No. In a 60–90 minute session, our founder gives your child a thorough assessment and you leave with a written report and a clear weekly roadmap for how they can improve, plus two 30-minute follow-up calls (phone or video). The report arrives 1–2 weeks after the session. You can follow the plan yourself or with a tutor. If you’d like a tutor, she can recommend tutors for the areas your child needs.

No. This is a literacy assessment by a teacher. It isn’t a medical or psychological diagnosis, and it isn’t a speech pathology assessment.

Yes. Sessions can be in person on the Gold Coast, in person in Brisbane, or online. Tell us which suits when you enquire.

We’ll send payment details after you enquire. That goes for live webinars (A$45), writing courses and holiday intensives. The webinar recording (A$35) goes on sale after 2 December; until then there’s a free waitlist.

Writing courses are $55 per session, paid upfront for the term.

Struggling-readers sessions are paid in two halves: 50% to book, and the remaining 50% after the session, before the report is sent. The price is explained on a free call and by email.

For writing courses, holiday intensives, webinars and struggling-readers sessions, fill in the enquire form and we’ll get back to you personally. We can also ring you for a free call to talk it through. You can also message on Instagram @storyandscribe.au.

In short:

• Can’t make it? Let us know more than 24 hours before and you’ll get a credit for another session. Credits aren’t paid out as cash.
• Live webinar: with less than 24 hours’ notice there’s no credit, but you’ll still get the recording.
• Webinar recording: no change-of-mind refund once it’s been accessed.
• Struggling-readers sessions: a free reschedule with at least 24 hours’ notice. A cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice, or a no-show, forfeits the 50% deposit.
• If Story and Scribe cancels a class: you’ll get a full refund for it.

Read the full refund policy. Nothing in it limits your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

Writing courses and webinars are online. Struggling-readers sessions can be in person on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane (at your home or a local library), or online. The play cards are a free download, so there’s no postage.

Our founder, a specialist literacy teacher and mum. Read more on the About page.