Understanding Early Literacy Support in Schools: What Parents Should Know

As a parent, hearing terms like intervention, Fundations or extra small group instruction during the early elementary years can feel overwhelming — especially if this is your first time navigating the school system. The good news? Early literacy support is designed to be proactive, skill-building, and collaborative. The earlier we identify and support foundational reading needs, the stronger a child’s long-term literacy success will be.

With training and experience in Orton-Gillingham, Fundations, and coaching teachers in early literacy, I’m passionate about helping parents understand how schools support young readers — and how families can partner in the process.

Why Early Literacy Support Matters

Many kindergarten and early elementary classrooms use structured literacy programs such as Fundations — a multisensory, systematic approach to teaching reading, writing, spelling, and early handwriting. Kids see it, say it, hear it, and move with it to help early reading skills stick.

By mid-fall, schools begin collecting both formal and informal data to understand each child’s early literacy strengths and areas of need. This helps teachers form flexible groups that target specific skills — before small gaps can grow into larger challenges.

Early intervention isn’t about labeling a child. It’s about providing just-right support at the right time to build confidence, skills, and strong reading foundations.

How Schools Provide Literacy Support: MTSS in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, schools follow a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) — a framework that looks at the whole child and creates systems for sustainable academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success.

You may have previously heard the term RTI (Response to Intervention). While RTI focuses on academic intervention, MTSS is broader. It includes:

• ✅ School-wide systems and instruction
  
  

• ✅ Tailored supports for students
  
  

• ✅ Collaboration among educators, families, and specialists
  
  

Rather than reacting after a child falls behind, MTSS emphasizes early, proactive support.

The Three Tiers of Literacy Support

Although every district structures intervention slightly differently, the model below is widely used:

Tier 1

All students

High-quality classroom instruction using a structured, evidence-based curriculum (e.g., Fundations)

Tier 2

Students needing additional support

Small-group targeted instruction focused on specific skills (e.g., phonological awareness, letter-sound connections)

Tier 3

Students needing intensive support

More frequent, individualized intervention with specialists; may lead to special education referral if progress remains limited

Important: Tier 2 and Tier 3 supplement Tier 1 — they do not replace it. Students still receive core classroom instruction alongside intervention.

Most schools run 6–8 week intervention cycles, reviewing data and adjusting support as needed. Groups are flexible — children move in and out based on growth.

What Early Literacy Support Looks Like in Kindergarten

Early intervention is grounded in building the skills that create strong readers, including:

• Phonological and phonemic awareness
  
  

• Letter identification and sounds
  
  

• Oral language and vocabulary
  
  

• Early decoding and encoding (reading and spelling simple words)
  
  

For example, a child may receive a “double dose” of Fundations — one whole-group lesson plus a small-group session reinforcing the same skill. Another child may join a group focused on phonological awareness to strengthen sound-based skills before applying them to print.

These early, targeted supports help prevent small struggles from becoming persistent reading difficulties later.

A Parent’s Role — and Why Your Voice Matters

Families are an important part of literacy growth. If your child begins receiving intervention:

• Ask for updates every intervention cycle
• Celebrate small progress — confidence fuels learning
• Stay curious, not worried — early support is a strength

When schools and families collaborate, children thrive.

📍 Need Support Navigating?

If you’re looking for guidance on how to support your child’s early literacy journey at home or through school, I’m here to help.

You can always email me or head over to my website for more information, resources, and support services:
👉 www.wildflowerparents.com

P.S. A free Early Literacy Skills Guide is coming soon — stay tuned!