Ethan's Story

We've asked the mom of a recent student to write about their experience with us. Does this story resonate with you? 

As a parent, one of the hardest things to watch is your child struggle with something that should be exciting and fun. For a long time, my 10-year-old son, Ethan, absolutely dreaded reading. It was a daily battle – he would avoid books at all costs, and when he did pick one up, it felt like pulling teeth just to get through a few pages. Reading time was stressful for both of us, and I could see his frustration growing. His teachers said he was behind, but I didn't know where to turn for help.

Ethan is in Grade 5, and at that age, it’s hard to ignore the fact that he's not reading at the same level as his peers. His lack of confidence was affecting his self-esteem. I began to wonder if we’d ever find a way to help him become the reader he should be.

That’s when I found Halifax Learning and SpellRead.

From the moment we walked in, I knew we had made the right choice. The clinic felt welcoming, and the staff was so friendly and understanding. The program seemed different from what we had tried before – it wasn’t just about trying to read harder books. It was about teaching Ethan the skills he needed in a way that made sense for him. SpellRead helped him build a solid foundation in reading, from phonics to comprehension strategies.

Ethan's teacher really took the time to understand Ethan’s struggles. She worked closely with him, helping him build his skills at his own pace, without any pressure. As the weeks went by, I started to notice changes. Ethan was starting to feel more confident in himself as a reader. He wasn’t dreading reading time, he started to look forward to it! He was reading more fluently every week.

He made progress in his reading but also in his attitude. He was more confident in class and more willing to try new things. The most rewarding moment came when Ethan picked up a book on his own, without me asking him, and started reading for fun. As a parent, there’s nothing better than seeing your child finally enjoy something they once hated.

Halifax Learning truly turned reading from a struggle into a success story for Ethan. I’m beyond grateful for the team’s dedication to helping Ethan become a strong, confident reader. If your child is struggling like mine was, I can’t recommend them enough. Reading has become something to celebrate in our house, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.