Acorn to Oak Academy

Home | Start Here | Toolkit | Course

Free Resources | About | FAQ

Acorn to Oak Academy

Course

This course is your step-by-step guide through your child’s reading journey.

Most parents want to help but don’t know where to start.
This course takes the guesswork out of reading, giving you the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to support your child every step of the way.

Learn to love to learn


Course Overview

This short video introduces the course – what’s inside, how it helps and what parents can expect.

It’s designed for parents of children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and international equivalents (Reception to Year 6 in the UK, Kindergarten to Grade 5 in the US).
Whether you live in Ireland, the UK, the US or elsewhere, the stages of learning to read are universal, even if school years are named differently.
You’ll learn what’s normal, when to worry and how to help, with calm, evidence-based guidance you can trust.

Course Overview

This short video introduces the course – what’s inside, how it helps and what parents can expect.

It’s designed for parents of children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and international equivalents (Reception to Year 6 in the UK, Kindergarten to Grade 5 in the US).
Whether you live in Ireland, the UK, the US or elsewhere, the stages of learning to read are universal, even if school years are named differently.
You’ll learn what’s normal, when to worry and how to help, with calm, evidence-based guidance you can trust.



Is Now the Right Time?

This video helps parents decide when to start. It explains that early understanding makes the biggest difference and reassures parents that anytime is a good time.

Inside you’ll find:

  • Clear explanations of how reading develops and what skills matter most
  • Step-by-step guidance through the Big Five components of reading
  • Practical, sensory-rich strategies you can use at home
  • Printable checklists, visuals and simple activities that make learning click
  • Real-life examples and reassurance from a teacher, psychologist and mum who’s walked this road herself

You don’t need to be a reading expert – just a parent who wants to help.
Let me walk you through it.

Access the course on Teachable

Is Now the Right Time?

This video helps parents decide when to start. It explains that early understanding makes the biggest difference and reassures parents that anytime is a good time.


Inside you’ll find:

  • Clear explanations of how reading develops and what skills matter most
  • Step-by-step guidance through the Big Five components of reading
  • Practical, sensory-rich strategies you can use at home
  • Printable checklists, visuals and simple activities that make learning click
  • Real-life examples and reassurance from a teacher, psychologist and mum who’s walked this road herself

You don’t need to be a reading expert – just a parent who wants to help.
Let me walk you through it.

Access the course on Teachable

Testimonials

I finally understand how reading actually works.

Aoife’s course made me realise how much I could do at home in simple, gentle ways. My son used to dread reading homework. Now he’s the one bringing books over.

Sarah / mum of a 7-year-old (2nd Class)

It took the panic out of everything.

When my daughter was falling behind, I felt lost between mixed advice from school and Google. This course gave me calm, clear steps and the confidence to know what’s normal and what needs support.

Emma / mum of twins (Senior Infants)

Like a reading manual I wish every parent got on day one.

I loved Aoife’s mix of professional knowledge and real-life mum honesty. The videos are short, practical and make you feel like you can actually do this, without becoming a teacher yourself.

Ciara / parent of an 8-year-old with dyslexia

Small steps really do work.

My son went from guessing every second word to sounding things out properly. The visual tricks and car game ideas were a huge hit. It made our evenings so much calmer.

James / dad of a 6-year-old (1st Class)

Reassuring, warm and full of sense.

I’ve done lots of online courses, but this one actually felt human. It’s like having a teacher, psychologist and parent rolled into one guiding you along.

Fiona / mum of a 10-year-old
Acorn to Oak Academy

Helping raise confident readers.

Email:

Home | Start Here | Toolkit | Course | Free Resources | FAQ

Acorn to Oak Academy

Helping raise confident readers.

Get in touch

Email:

© 2023-2026 Acorn to Oak, Aoife Ruane-Kelly .
All rights reserved.
Designed and hosted by Dublin Web Design
© 2023-2026 Acorn to Oak, Aoife Ruane-Kelly. All rights reserved. Designed and hosted by Dublin Web Design