Hands-on, research-based literacy instruction that thinks outside the worksheet.
Let’s empower your little reader starting today.
Our approach
There’s a reason why kids dread working with reading tutors.
Because when a session involves worksheets, sitting still, memorizing, and generic topics—it is NOT fun.
But when a tutor involves your interests, engages your senses, utilizes active learning and uses toys instead of worksheets—it is FUN. And kids LEARN.
Maybe that’s why Little Readers Big Thinkers has a 90% family retention percentage year after year.
Keep reading to learn about what makes my reading programming so empowering for young readers.
1:1 Private Tutoring
Personalized literacy growth plan based on informal & formal assessments
Multisensory, research-based instruction that reinforces phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills using evidence-based strategies tailored to individual learning needs
Weekly 60 minute sessions for five weeks
Sessions held at your home or at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Includes curated book list designed to meet your child’s needs & interests
Book Clubs
Small group literacy classes organized by grade/age level
Themed lessons that follow the scope and sequence of the Science of Reading to build a strong reading foundation for all learners
Session activities include a mix of books, crafts, games, and more all designed around specific literacy skills
Weekly 75 minute sessions for five weeks
Classes held in Arlington Heights
Includes literacy enrichment goodie bag
Meet Miss Amanda
Amanda Simkin is a proud mom of two middle schoolers and a teacher who has made it her life’s mission to help kids of all ages fall in love with reading. As a Reading Specialist with over fifteen years of experience, she has welcomed hundreds of Arlington Heights area families into the Little Readers Big Thinkers community.
Amanda is a fierce advocate for the Science of Reading, which emphasizes foundational skills like phonemic awareness and phonics to support fluency, vocabulary building, and overall reading comprehension. She firmly believes that learning should be fun, integrating items like shaving cream, balloons, magnatiles, jump ropes, and more into her literacy curriculum.
When she isn’t teaching, she is either walking her dogs, watching her sons play baseball…or at the library.
What to Expect from a Session
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Multisensory activities that think "outside the worksheet"
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High quality literature with books that serve as both 'windows' + 'mirrors'
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Research-based instruction that follows the "Science of Reading" philosophy
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Detailed summary reports of each lesson
“I just had H’s conference at school. He is now qualifying for enrichment. What a difference two years makes, thank you so much for what you do!”
— BRANDI, LITTLE READERS BIG THINKERS CLIENT