Orton Gillingham at Home

When a child is learning to read and spell with the Orton Gillingham Approach, the structured, multisensory strategies they experience in tutoring sessions or school are crucial. Did you know that supporting Orton Gillingham at home can make an enormous difference too?

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in reinforcing skills and building a child’s confidence. Here’s how you can support Orton Gillingham at home in simple, meaningful ways:

1. Keep Orton Gillingham at home Multisensory

The Orton Gillingham Approach uses visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways to help students master language skills. You can do the same at home!

• Visual: Use colorful flashcards for phonograms, syllable types, or sight words.

• Auditory: Say sounds aloud together and practice blending them into words.

• Kinesthetic: Trace letters in sand, shaving cream, or rice trays.

• Tactile: Have your child build words using magnetic letters or letter tiles.

The more senses involved, the deeper the learning!

2. Practice Orton Gillingham at home in Short, Fun Bursts

Children thrive when practice feels manageable and enjoyable. Aim for 5–10 minutes of practice rather than long sessions. Try:

• A quick “sound dictation” before dinner

• A mini “red word” (remember “by heart”) review during a car ride

• Spelling a few words on a whiteboard after breakfast

Short, daily touchpoints add up to strong reinforcement.

3. Read Together Every Day

Reading aloud is powerful, even for older struggling readers. Take turns reading or “echo read” (you read a sentence, and they repeat it). Choose decodable books aligned with your child’s Orton Gillingham level when possible, or enjoy rich literature where you do most of the reading.

Hearing fluent reading models and discussing stories helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of language.

4. Encourage Proper Letter Formation

Writing letters correctly strengthens memory for how they look and sound. To support handwriting at home:

• Watch how your child forms letters — gently correct backward letters or odd starting points.

• Use big movements first (air writing or sidewalk chalk) before moving to paper and pencil.

• Praise effort and progress, not just perfection.

Correct handwriting becomes automatic with consistent, kind reminders.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

Supporting Orton Gillingham at home should be systematic and cumulative — each new skill builds on the last.
Recognize and celebrate when your child:

• Masters a new sound

• Spells a word correctly

• Reads a sentence fluently

Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and resilience.

6. Communicate with Your Child’s Tutor or Teacher

To successfully reinforce Orton Gillingham at home, Stay in touch with your child’s Orton Gillingham tutor or teacher. Ask:

• What skills are we focusing on now?

• Are there specific ways I can reinforce learning at home?

• Are there any strategies my child is finding particularly helpful?

Working together ensures your home support aligns with their structured lessons.

Final Thoughts

Supporting Orton Gillingham at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By weaving in short, multisensory activities and celebrating your child’s efforts, you are building a bridge between their lessons and everyday life. This bridge leads to confidence, independence, and literacy success!