The Power of One-on-One: Why Tutoring Matters for Children with Dyslexia
A Tutor’s Kindness
I remember walking into my tutor’s home after school, a little girl who felt lost in the letters. Words on the page seemed to dance, twist, and tumble around me. I often wondered why learning came so easily to everyone else, yet felt like climbing a mountain for me.
But she—this kind, patient woman—changed everything.
She was a teacher, a friend of my parents, who agreed to help me learn to read. Her home felt like safety. The smell of popcorn and apple cider tea filled the air, and the warmth of her living room made me feel seen, special, and loved.
In that one-on-one time, something powerful happened. For the first time, I wasn’t being judged or rushed. She never made me feel “less than.” She saw me—not the struggle, not the mistakes, but the little girl behind them. She made learning feel peaceful, even joyful. Her patience wrapped around me like a blanket, and in her presence, I felt safe to try, to fail, and to try again.
She didn’t just teach me letters.
She taught me that I wasn’t broken.
That I could learn—just differently.
She gave me something no test or textbook ever could: hope.
If you’re reading this, you know who you are. I love you with all my heart. I will forever be grateful for the kindness you showed a little girl who needed it more than she could ever say.
Why Tutoring Can Change Everything
According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, 1 in 5 children have dyslexia. It’s one of the most common learning differences, yet often one of the most misunderstood. Many children with dyslexia feel left behind in classrooms that move too fast or don’t teach in a way their brains best understand.
That’s where tutoring outside of school becomes so powerful.
One-on-one attention gives these children what every child deserves:
- Time to slow down and process at their own pace
- A safe environment where mistakes aren’t punished, but celebrated as part of learning
- A chance to build confidence and rediscover the joy in reading
Research shows that structured, multisensory reading programs (like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading) can help retrain the brain to read more effectively. But beyond the methods, what matters most is the relationship—the trust, patience, and understanding between a child and a tutor who truly sees them.
Advice for Parents
If your child is struggling, don’t wait for the school system to catch up. Seek out extra help early.
Here are a few gentle tips:
- Find a tutor experienced in dyslexia-specific methods.
- Ask about multisensory learning (seeing, hearing, touching, and moving during lessons).
- Keep learning positive—reward effort, not just results.
- Celebrate progress, no matter how small.
- Most importantly, remind your child that their brain isn’t broken—it’s brilliant.
Your child may not remember every spelling word, but they will never forget how you made them feel along the way.
A Final Thought
Sometimes, it takes just one person to change the course of a child’s life.
For me, it was the woman who welcomed me into her warm home, with popcorn, tea, and patience. For another child, it could be you—the parent, the teacher, the tutor, or even the neighbor who believes they can.
Every time you choose to see a struggling child through the eyes of love instead of frustration, you plant a seed that will grow for a lifetime.
Author’s Note
As someone who grew up dyslexic and now raises awareness for children like the girl I once was, I want to thank every parent, teacher, and tutor who takes the extra time to understand. Your compassion creates ripples that go far beyond the classroom.
If you are a parent who sees your child struggling, know that early help can make all the difference. And to every child who feels “different” — remember, different is where your magic lives.
— Brandy Lawhon, Author of When the Letters Danced
#WhenTheLettersDanced #ATutorsKindness #DyslexiaAwareness
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