Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
September 2025
214.449.1406 ReadingRanch.com
Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
Building Young Minds How Cognitive Skills Impact Early Learning & What You Can Do at Home
Visual-Spatial Processing (Gv) Visual-Spatial Processing (Gv) refers to your child’s ability to think in pictures and understand how things fit together. Gv is vital because it supports reading, math, and direction-following. Ways to Boost Gv at Home: • Play with blocks or tangrams. • Draw and complete mazes. • Give or follow directions at home. Working Memory (Gwm) Working Memory (Gwm) is your child’s ability to hold and use information in their mind for a short time and then use it. Gwm is crucial for understanding directions, solving problems, and learning.
As a parent, you want your child to succeed in school, not just academically, but as a confident student who enjoys the learning process. While we often think of school success as reading and math skills, something even more foundational is behind the scenes: cognitive abilities. These thinking skills help children learn, remember, focus, and solve problems. In education, we use a well-researched framework called CHC Theory (Cattell- Horn-Carroll) to understand these thinking skills. Let’s break it down and explain how each one affects your child’s learning, plus simple ways you can help build these abilities at home!
new information when needed. Gl is essential for remembering and connecting school learning.
Ways to Boost Gl at Home: • Review daily learning. • Encourage storytelling. • Play recall games.
Retrieval Fluency (Gr) Retrieval Fluency (Gr) refers to how quickly your child accesses stored information. Gr affects your child’s fluency in speaking, reading, and classroom participation. Ways to Boost Gr at Home: • Name categories quickly. • Do speed drills. • Sing songs with repetition. EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES TO STRENGTHEN THINKING SKILLS • Storytime every night builds vocabulary and listening skills. • Board and card games are great for memory, logic, and attention. • Talk often, ask questions, and describe what you’re doing. • Nature walks or scavenger hunts encourage curiosity. • Cooking together builds memory, sequencing, and math.
WHAT ARE COGNITIVE CHC FACTORS?
Ways to Boost Gwm at Home: • Play memory games. • Give multistep directions. • Repeat short sequences of numbers or words.
Crystallized Knowledge (Gc) Crystallized Knowledge (Gc) or
Comprehension Knowledge refers to the information your child already knows, like vocabulary, general facts, and language. Gc is important because it is closely linked to reading and understanding what is taught in school. Ways to Boost Gc at Home: • Read aloud and talk about what you’re reading. • Introduce new words in conversation. • Play “20 Questions” or “I Spy.” Fluid Reasoning (Gf) Fluid Reasoning (Gf) refers to your child’s ability to solve new problems and think logically. Gf is essential because it helps kids make sense of math, puzzles, and new concepts. Ways to Boost Gf at Home: • Do puzzles and play strategy games. • Ask prediction questions during stories.
Processing Speed (Gs) Processing Speed (Gs) reflects how quickly your child takes in and responds to information. Gs affects fluency in reading, writing, and task completion. Ways to Boost Gs at Home: • Time your child on fun tasks. • Play “Simon Says” or speed games. • Practice naming things quickly. Auditory Processing (Ga) Auditory Processing (Ga) refers to your child’s ability to hear and break apart sounds in words. Ga is essential for reading and spelling.
FINAL THOUGHTS Think of cognitive skills as the
foundation for learning. Just like muscles, these thinking skills grow stronger with practice. The best part? You don’t need to be a teacher to help. You’re already your child’s first and most important teacher, so keep playing, reading, talking, and exploring together! If you want to obtain information about your child’s cognitive skills, consider scheduling a cognitive assessment through Reading Ranch. For more information, visit ReadingRanch.com . —Tammy L. Stephens, Ph.D.
Ways to Boost Ga at Home: • Clap syllables. • Play rhyming games. • Practice sound blending. Long-Term Storage (Gl) Long-Term Storage refers to your child’s ability to store and recall
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From Backpacks to Book Nooks Read, Reward, Repeat
Summer is over, and it’s time to turn a new page — literally — with your little readers. As kids head back to school, it’s the perfect opportunity to reignite the reading and writing habits that may have cooled off during the break. Whether your child is easing back into routines or needs a little extra motivation, fun and simple strategies can make the transition smooth, entertaining, and full of learning momentum. A FUN FOCUS ZONE The environment can make all the difference when it comes to focusing on reading and writing. With all the new activities your child will be participating in as the school year progresses, creating a designated area in your home to work on literacy skills can be helpful. Choose a corner or cozy, quiet spot to make a distraction-free zone for reading success. Add some comfortable pillows, blankets, favorite stuffed animals, and a nice library stocked with age-appropriate books on topics your
trips that complement the books your child is reading. If you’re exploring animals in a story, visit the zoo and have them point out different creatures they recently read about. Ask them questions about what they learned about the animals in their book. You can also use books to expand upon subjects or experiences they are having in the classroom. REWARDS AND POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS Sometimes, a small reward after reading activities can encourage hesitant readers, especially when school assignments start coming home with them. Always use positive reinforcement, praising effort over outcome. You can compliment how they stuck with a sentence, even when the words were tricky or new, or tell them you are so proud of the way they tried to sound something out. Celebrate milestones with small treats, like a trip to the bookstore for a new book or letting them pick out a movie to watch after they finish reading for 20 minutes.
child is interested in. Make a point to set aside time each week for the reading zone.
CONNECT READING AND REAL LIFE You can help your child develop a deeper connection and understanding of what they are reading by connecting books to real-life experiences. Think of activities and small field
From Struggles to Success Real Stories From Reading Ranch Families
One of our favorite parts of The Reading Ranch is watching little learners develop confidence, skills, and a love for reading. It’s truly rewarding to see them begin to believe in their abilities and have fun sounding out words, writing, and exploring stories. We are so grateful to hear positive experiences like these from families who are working with us. Here are some recent success stories from our students. “Reading Ranch has made a profound impact on my child. They not only boosted reading skills but also strengthened his learning and grew his confidence. Cannot recommend this team enough.” — Amanda “My kids absolutely love and look forward to going to Reading Ranch each week! The teachers are so nice and incredibly thorough! We couldn’t be happier with our experience here.” — Carly “My girls love Reading Ranch, and get excited to go every week. The atmosphere is fun, encouraging, and friendly. They get reinforcement of concepts they may have missed at school, and have seen increases in
their test scores because of Reading Ranch. Dr. Southwell is AMAZING as well!” — Lauren
“We started taking our grandson to Reading Ranch just a few months ago, and we are already seeing a big improvement in his reading and spelling. I’m very impressed.” — Dena “Reading Ranch helped my child gain confidence in his reading and helped him through his frustrations. The program is excellent. He has learned so much since he started going here. He actually looks for things to read now. They listened to my concerns and always respond to any questions I have.” — Celina If your child has improved their skills thanks to The Reading Ranch, we would love to hear from you. If you want to learn more about our programs and how we can make reading fun for your child, visit ReadingRanch.com .
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214.449.1406
The stress of holiday road trips can tempt any parent to let their kids zone out in front of a screen, but don’t give in! To prevent bored youngsters from disappearing into their tablets or phones during long drives, consider healthier modes of entertainment, such as audiobooks. Unlike passive entertainment media such as movies and video games, audiobooks can accelerate a child’s reading ability by making more complex language accessible. Also, the whole family can enjoy listening to a good audiobook — even sitting in separate seats in a moving car! Apps like Libby or Hoopla provide access to audiobooks and ebooks through participating public libraries. Amazon Prime subscribers can access some free audiobooks through Audible. For suggestions on family fare, ask your local librarian or check out the nonprofit Common Sense Media website for recommended holiday-themed books. For elementary school children, consider “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. This classic story of a girl saving her friend from danger, read by Julia Whelan, will inspire listeners with its lessons about fidelity and courage. Another classic is “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden. Read with dazzling energy by “Monk” actor Tony Shalhoub, this tale of a streetwise city mouse encountering a country cricket in a New York subway station is an engaging, easy listen. For tweens, “The Mother-Daughter Book Club, Book 5” by Heather Vogel Frederick tells of five book club members setting out on holiday trips from the tropics to the Alps. Of course, numerous disasters befall them before the book’s satisfying ending! Another Christmas-themed winner is “Nickel Bay Nick” by Blair Jackson, a coming-of-age novel about a troublemaking 11-year- old boy who gets a chance to redeem himself when a mysterious neighbor blackmails him to perform acts of charity in their down-and-out town. And “Juniper’s Christmas” by Eoin Colfer is a Christmas adventure about 11-year- old Juniper Lane, who is accidentally exposed to North Pole magic after she asks for help from a mysterious woodsman living in a nearby park. As you listen, you can enjoy knowing that in addition to entertaining the family, you are stimulating your child’s imagination and language ability as they visualize the people and places in these delightful stories. Hit ‘Play’ and Hit the Road Audiobooks the Whole Family Will Love
The Reading Ranch Advantage
Helping children build confidence in reading, writing, and spelling — one step at a time.
At The Reading Ranch, we offer small-group, phonics- based literacy programs for children in PreK through 6th grade. Our research-backed approach focuses on:
• Building strong phonics and decoding skills
• Strengthening reading comprehension strategies
• Mastering writing and spelling to clearly express ideas
Our Approach: • Small class sizes for personalized attention
• A structured, step-by-step curriculum
• Certified, caring instructors who motivate and support each child
Whether your child needs extra support or a challenge to stay ahead, we provide a fun, nurturing environment where reading becomes a skill they love to use.
Schedule a free, private reading assessment today at 214-449-1406 or ReadingRanch.com.
Apples Aster Coffee Constitution Foliage Grandparents Labor Lunchbox Pirate Sapphire Virgo Waffles Take a Break
Check Out Our New Podcast! Exciting news—we’ve launched a brand-new podcast filled with insightful conversations and valuable content!
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6991 Pecan St, Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034
214.449.1406
Pre-k - 6th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
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Locations 3010 Bee Caves Rd. Suite 203 Austin, TX 78746 9705 Tehama Ridge Pkwy. Suite 151 Fort Worth, TX 76177 771 East Southlake Blvd. Suites 99 & 102
111 Dallas St. Argyle, TX 76226 6991 Pecan St. Suite 200 Frisco, TX 75034 3115 West Parker Rd. Suite 210 Plano, TX 75023 101 West McDermott Dr. Allen, TX 75013 5881 Virginia Pkwy. Suite 450 McKinney, TX 75071 670 N Preston Rd. Prosper, TX 75078 701 N Preston Rd. #200 Celina, TX 75009
Southlake, TX 76092 580 S Denton Tap Rd. Suite 220 Coppell, TX 75019 5925 Forest Lane Suite 130 Dallas, TX 75230 2540 King Arthur Blvd. Suite 109 Lewisville, TX 75056
The Science Behind Our Favorite Star Sun-believable!
That big ball of fire in the sky plays a significant role in our lives. Most of us don’t give the sun a second thought unless it gets in our eyes when driving or we need to apply sunscreen before going outside. Without the sun, our planet would be plunged into darkness and frigid temperatures, making life impossible for us, plants, and all the animals that call Earth home. In honor of Sun Day on Sept. 21, let’s explore three lesser-known facts about the star at the center of our solar system.
It’s already been around for 4.5 billion years, and scientists predict it will survive for another 6.5 billion. When that time comes, the sun will grow to a red giant, consuming Mercury, Venus, and potentially Earth before becoming a white dwarf. Thankfully, none of us will be around to experience that phenomenon. THE SUN IS VERY HOT. Learning that the sun is hot is not a groundbreaking discovery; even our youngest children understand this concept, but many people don’t realize just how hot the sun is. At its core, the sun burns at 27,000,000 F. The surface is much cooler, sitting at 10,000 F. For reference, lava erupting from a volcano will only reach around 2,200 F at its hottest. The sun’s surface burns so hot that you could boil diamonds on it!
WE’RE LEARNING MORE EVERY DAY. Many details about the sun remain unknown. Astrophysicists have spent decades trying to predict and better understand solar storms, which disperse plasma across the solar system, often disrupting energy grids and spacecraft. In recent years, NASA has made a dedicated effort to learn more. They sent the Parker Solar Probe to the sun, where it studies solar wind and the corona from within 4 million miles of the star’s surface. Ideally, this information will make predicting future solar storms and space weather events easier.
THE SUN WON’T EXTINGUISH ITSELF ANYTIME SOON.
Thanks to science fiction, some people believe that once the sun uses up its energy, it will dim or explode and end all life in our solar system. However, that’s not a real concern. First, you must consider the age and lifespan of our sun.
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