About Us
Our Mission
To provide parents with expert, compassionate guidance, empowering them to help their children thrive in literacy from the earliest stages. We focus on:
Evidence-based strategies: Guidance grounded in literacy research and extensive classroom experience
Practical support: Tips and activities you can use immediately at home
A safe space: Confidential, non-judgmental coaching and listening for parents navigating challenges
Parent empowerment: Helping you feel confident, capable, and informed in supporting your child
Why Parents Choose Reading Start
Parents come here because they want:
Guidance informed by research and years of classroom experience
Support that recognizes the realities of parenting a child with reading difficulties
A neutral, safe space to ask questions, get advice, and feel heard
Strategies that are practical, actionable, and immediately helpful at home
Early literacy guidance to start strong—even before children can read
A Safe, Expert-Guided Space for Parents Navigating Reading Challenges
Reading Start was born from both professional expertise and personal experience. I’m Dr. Deirdre Cruz, a literacy researcher, teacher, and parent who has spent over a decade supporting children’s learning. I hold a PhD in literacy, and my research has focused on maternal literacy beliefs, parent-child interactions, and their impact on cognitive development. I’ve taught in K–12 classrooms for 10 years and in higher education for 7, giving me a deep understanding of how children develop reading and writing skills across ages.
Reading Start is also deeply personal. As a mother of two, I navigated my own child’s spelling difficulties and often wished for a neutral, supportive space to ask questions, explore strategies, and simply be heard. Reading Start is that space—a place where parents can gain guidance, practical strategies, and encouragement from someone who understands both the research and the real-world challenges of parenting a child with reading struggles.
A Personal Note
I understand how confusing and stressful it can feel when your child struggles with reading or spelling—or when you want to give them the best start and aren’t sure what that looks like. At Reading Start, you’re not alone—you have a partner who listens, guides, and supports you every step of the way.
