Prerequisite skill
What it means: A smaller skill a child needs before a harder skill can become reliable.
What it might look like: A child may know letter sounds but still need more practice blending them into words.
Word Help
School and developmental language—without the jargon.
Quick explanations for terms parents may hear from teachers, clinicians, or developmental resources.
Remediation
What it means: Targeted practice that rebuilds a missing or weak prerequisite.
What it might look like: Instead of repeating a hard fraction worksheet, return briefly to equal parts and visual fraction models.
Scaffolding
What it means: Temporary adult support that is reduced as the child becomes more capable.
What it might look like: Model → do together → prompt → cue → wait → step back.
Executive function
What it means: Mental skills used to plan, start, remember, shift attention, control impulses, and monitor work.
What it might look like: A child may understand the assignment but struggle to begin, organize materials, or keep track of steps.
Decodable text
What it means: Text designed so beginning readers can apply phonics patterns they have been taught.
What it might look like: It is useful for practicing accurate word reading, while rich read-alouds support vocabulary and knowledge.
Fluency
What it means: Accurate reading with appropriate rate and expression that supports understanding.
What it might look like: Fluency is more than speed; meaning still matters.
Self-advocacy
What it means: Communicating what you need, what is confusing, or what kind of help would be useful.
What it might look like: “I understand the first step, but I need help starting the second.”
Serve and return
What it means: Responsive back-and-forth interaction between a young child and caregiver.
What it might look like: The child looks or vocalizes; the adult notices, responds, and pauses for another turn.
Progress monitoring
What it means: Using repeated observations or work samples to see whether a support is helping over time.
What it might look like: Look for meaningful change across several attempts, not one unusually good or difficult day.