Listening for sounds
Rhyming, clapping syllables, and hearing the first sound in a word like "sun" or "map". These listening skills come before reading and predict how easily children learn to read.
Online Kindergarten Reading Tutor
Playful 1-on-1 lessons that give young children a strong, happy start with reading.
Kindergarten is when most children go from knowing a few letters to reading their first real words. Some children take off on their own. Others need a little more time and a lot more practice with the sounds that make up words, and a strong start now makes Grade 1 so much easier.
Our online kindergarten reading tutors make early reading feel like play. Lessons are 1-on-1 on a live video call with a colorful shared whiteboard, full of drawing, letter games and lots of praise, while quietly building the exact skills research shows matter most: hearing sounds in words, connecting sounds to letters, and blending them into words. We work with families of preschool, JK and kindergarten children across the US and Canada.
Book your free consultation
Tell us about your child and we will hand pick the tutor that best fits their needs.
What grade is your child in?
Tap a grade to get started.
By grade level
Early reading skills we build
These skills grow in roughly this order. Tutors start wherever your child is.
Letter sounds
Learning the most common sound for each letter, not just the letter name, using pictures, songs, and writing letters on the whiteboard.
Blending first words
Putting sounds together to read simple words like "cat", "pig" and "hop", then short phrases and sentences.
First books
Reading simple decodable books, learning a handful of common words like "the" and "is", and talking about stories to build vocabulary and comprehension.
Common challenges
When a kindergartner might need extra help
Every child develops at their own pace, but these are good reasons to give your child some extra support.
Still learning letter sounds
By the middle of kindergarten most children know many letter sounds. If your child is still mixing them up, short, regular practice helps them catch up quickly.
Struggles with rhyming or first sounds
Trouble hearing that "cat" and "hat" rhyme, or that "ball" starts with /b/, can be an early sign that reading will be harder. Listening games build these skills.
Cannot blend sounds yet
Your child may know each sound but not be able to push them together into a word. This is a skill that improves with guided practice.
Losing confidence
If your child says "I can’t read" or avoids books, early success in small steps can change how they see themselves as a reader.
Getting started
How it works
Book a free consultation
Tell us about your child’s grade, what is going well and what has been hard. There is no cost and no pressure to sign up.
We hand pick a tutor
We match your child with a tutor who fits their needs and personality, and you choose days and times that work for your family.
Live 1-on-1 lessons
Lessons happen on a video call next to a colorful shared whiteboard, so your child can write, draw and practice right alongside the tutor.
See progress
We recommend 3 lessons a week, which we have found produces results fast. Your child keeps the same tutor every lesson if they like them.
Pricing
Tutoring prices
Quality 1-on-1 tutoring without the $50 to $80 an hour price tag charged by many tutoring companies.
- Lessons are booked in packages of 12, with no obligation to continue afterward.
- Reschedule any lesson with 24 hours notice at no cost.
- 10% off for a second child.
JK to Grade 8$30 USDper 45 minute lesson
Grades 9 to 12$40 USDper 1 hour lesson
How we teach young readers
Our Reading Boost Program is grounded in the Science of Reading. For young children, that means explicit, step by step teaching of sounds and letters, built into games, songs and drawing so it never feels like a worksheet. Tutors keep activities short and switch often to match a young attention span.
Our tutors include Certified Teachers and Early Childhood Educators. Between lessons, your child gets short, fun daily exercises you can do together, and you will always know what your child is working on.
What a kindergarten lesson looks like
A lesson might start with a sound song, move into a letter game on the whiteboard, practice blending a few words with letter tiles, read a tiny book together, and finish with drawing a picture of the story. Children are active the whole time, not just listening.
Lessons are 45 minutes, and the tutor adjusts the pace to your child. We recommend 3 lessons a week so new sounds stick, and your child keeps the same tutor every lesson if they like them.
Tutors
Meet some of our amazing tutors
With over 500 tutors hand-picked to be on our staff, we are sure we have the right one for you!
Ellison
Math Tutor
Holds a Bachelor's in Medical Physics.
I find joy in guiding a struggling student to reach their full potential.
Natalie
Teacher
Holds a Bachelor's of Education.
I've been teaching for 13 years and have loved every second of it!
Rachel
Writing Tutor
Majoring in English Literature.
I like to build habits in my students, ensuring they stay on top of their work!
FAQ
Kindergarten Reading tutoring questions
Is online tutoring really okay for a kindergartner?
Yes, when lessons are designed for young children. Tutors use the shared whiteboard for drawing and games, keep activities short, and keep children moving and talking. Many families are surprised how engaged their child is.
Should my child be reading by the end of kindergarten?
Expectations vary by school, but most kindergartners learn letter sounds and begin reading simple words and short sentences. If your child is behind, early help is far easier than catching up later.
How much does it cost?
Lessons are $30 USD for a 45 minute 1-on-1 lesson, booked in packages of 12.
Can you start with a preschooler?
Yes. We work with preschool and JK children on listening skills, letter sounds and early reading, at a pace that suits them.
How do I get started?
Book a free consultation. We will ask about your child and what they enjoy, then hand pick a tutor and set up lesson times that work for your family.
Keep exploring
Related tutoring
Free printable worksheets
Book your free consultation
Tell us about your child and we will hand pick the tutor that best fits their needs.
What grade is your child in?
Tap a grade to get started.