SMALL STEPS, BOLD GROWTH

SEPTEMBER 2026 | ISSUE 01

Small Steps, Bold Growth

A new school year brings fresh possibilities—and plenty to manage. Welcome to the first Bold Strokes newsletter, a space for practical ideas, encouragement, and guidance as you support your child’s learning.

This month, look beyond completed homework and report cards. How does your child feel about school? How much support does each day require? The answers can help you decide what to try next.

Below are some patterns worth noticing about your child. Remember to consider your child’s age, their school expectations and usual patterns. An occasional rough afternoon is different from a difficulty that keeps returning or interferes with learning and family life.

Getting started feels overwhelming. Your child understands the assignment but needs repeated prompting to begin, loses track of directions, or cannot work out the first step. [1]

Work gets lost along the way. Materials stay at school, deadlines are missed, or completed assignments never get turned in. Planning and organization may need explicit teaching and practice. [2]

Reading and spelling remain difficult. Notice ongoing trouble connecting letters with sounds, reading words accurately or smoothly, or spelling words already taught. Share these concerns early with the teacher. [3]

Homework takes over the evening. Work regularly takes much longer than the teacher expects, or your child needs an adult beside them throughout. Ask which parts are hardest and compare notes with school. [4]

Confidence is slipping. Listen for “I can’t do this,” repeated avoidance, or frustration around particular tasks. Ask what feels difficult before deciding what kind of help is needed.

Good grades are only part of the picture. Ask what it takes to earn them.

Small steps to try this month:

Start with a calm check-in. Ask, “What felt manageable this week? What felt hard? What would make tomorrow easier?” Choose one concern together and notice something your child is doing well.
Create a short daily reset. Check assignments, choose the next small task, and pack materials for tomorrow. Design a simple checklist with your child and practice using it together. [1, 2]
Collect examples and connect with school. Jot down the task, time spent, help needed, and what helped. Ask the teacher, “Are you seeing this too, and what support can we put in place?” If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, check how supports are being used.

When to reach out for support

You do not need to wait for falling grades to start a conversation. If difficulties persist, intensify, or disrupt daily life, contact your child’s teacher. These observations do not diagnose dyslexia, ADHD, or another condition; they help identify questions and next steps. A qualified professional can assess concerns when appropriate.

How Bold Strokes can help

Executive functioning coaching: Build practical routines for planning, organizing materials, starting assignments, managing time, and following through.
Orton-Gillingham literacy tutoring: Provide structured, explicit, multi-sensory instruction for students who need support with reading and spelling.
Educational advocacy and family support: Review educational records, prepare for IEP or 504 meetings, consider evaluation options, and plan productive school conversations.
Parent guidance: Choose manageable strategies that fit your child and family, with a focus on confidence and growing independence.

Let’s find a helpful next step.

If any of these patterns sound familiar, reply to this newsletter with what you are noticing. We can talk about your child’s strengths, current challenges, and whether Bold Strokes support would be a good fit.

Learn more: boldstrokes.co

Jennifer Schoolfield
Founder, Bold Strokes Educational Consulting

Parent resources: [1] Starting tasks · [2] Organization · [3] Dyslexia Basics · [4] Homework strategies

Resources from Understood and the International Dyslexia Association.