MINNESOTA LEARNING SOLUTIONS

MNLS BLOGS

She finally realized she was smart.

What changes when a child stops believing they’re “bad at school.”

June, 2026

One of the things I hear most from parents is:

“We tried so many things before finding this.”

Extra help at school.
Tutors.
More practice at home.
Different curriculum.
More phonics.
Trying to push through.
Trying to wait it out.

Many of these families are doing everything they know to do.

That’s why it can feel so confusing when a bright child is still struggling.

Recently, a parent shared this after her daughter completed a program:

“She finally realized she was smart, she just didn’t know how to show it before.”

I think a lot of kids quietly begin believing the opposite.

“I’m bad at reading.”
“Math just isn’t my thing.”
“I can’t focus.”
“I’m behind.”
“I’m just not good at school.”

But sometimes the issue isn’t effort.
Sometimes the approach simply doesn’t match the child.

One family shared that their daughter was finally ENJOYING reading again.

Another mom shared that for the first time, math no longer ended in tears.

Another parent said their child began advocating for herself with teachers and school after years of feeling defeated.

Those kinds of shifts change more than academics.

They change how a child sees themselves.

Summer can be such a helpful time for this work. Without the daily pressure of school, many kids are finally able to slow down, rebuild confidence, and head into the next school year with a stronger foundation.

There are a limited number of program dates remaining.

If you’ve been wondering whether a different approach might help your child, we’d love to hear your story.

You can schedule a complimentary phone consultation here:

With hope and understanding,

Tracy
Minnesota Learning Solutions

💡 Questions I Hear Often from Parents

Is it normal for my child to flip letters or numbers?

Yes. And for many children, especially those with dyslexia, this is more common than you might think.

It’s not carelessness. It’s not a lack of effort.

It’s often a sign that they’re perceiving the symbols incorrectly.

The good news is, with the right tools, children can gain clarity and consistency… and those reversals often begin to fade.

Clay Creation of the Month

Clay creation compliments of Marigold!

Email us a picture of one of your clay models that you would like to be shared in an upcoming newsletter.

Congratulations!

Ellie recently completed her Davis Mastery for Math program with Sydney.

At the beginning, math often felt overwhelming. As she built a stronger understanding of fractions, decimals, and multiplication, her confidence started to grow.

One moment that stood out was her saying she wasn’t worried about her test on exponents because multiplication finally made sense.

That shift from uncertainty to confidence is what we’re aiming for.

Nice work, Ellie! 

Congratulations to Collette on completing her Davis Mastery for Dyslexia Program! 🎉

One of the things Collette shared at the end of her program was that she’s “getting better at reading” and “not as frustrated when reading anymore.”

Over the past couple of weeks, Collette worked hard learning new tools for focus, energy regulation, and emotional regulation. She now has ways to move through confusion and frustration more easily instead of getting stuck in it.

One of my favorite parts was watching her confidence grow as things started to click and become clearer for her.

Way to go, Collette. I’m excited to watch you continue to grow and learn.
A BIG congratulations to Genevieve! 🎉

After previously completing her reading program, Genevieve recently came back to continue her journey through Davis Mastery for Math with Sydney.

Over the course of her program, she strengthened her addition and subtraction foundations, built a deeper understanding of the “why” behind carrying and borrowing, and worked through challenges with so much determination.

One of my favorite parts of this work is watching confidence grow right alongside the skills. Genevieve kept showing up, kept trying, and kept growing each step of the way. She even reached goals beyond academics, including tying her shoes independently. 💙

Way to go, Genevieve! We are so proud of all your hard work and can’t wait to see where your growth takes you next.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT

I wanted to share a children’s book that offers a beautiful reminder that communication comes in many different forms.

More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean explores how we communicate through facial expressions, movement, art, music, gestures, and connection, not just spoken words.

I love how this book helps broaden the understanding of communication and gently reminds us that every child has their own way of expressing themselves and connecting with the world around them.

This can be a meaningful read for helping children feel seen, understood, and valued for who they are.

We have hope and help for Dyslexia, ADHD, Executive Functioning, and Autism. It’s easy to get started! Just reply to this email or call 763-250-0485.

Professional services described as Davis®, including Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, Davis® Attention Mastery, Davis® Math Mastery, and Davis® Reading Program for Young Learners may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators or Specialists by Davis Dyslexia Association International.  dyslexia.com