Did you know that 66% of children aren’t reading at their expected grade level? That’s not just a number, it’s a wake-up call.

When children struggle to read, they fall behind. Not just in reading, but in every subject that relies on it. Over time, this gap grows wider, affecting their confidence, classroom engagement, and even their future career opportunities.

What Is the Behind Cycle?

The Behind Cycle is what happens when kids fall behind in language and literacy early, and never get the support to catch up. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Through my Behind Cycle Program, I help parents, caregivers, and educators create strong foundations for communication from birth. This program is part of a larger mission: to empower every child with the language tools they need to thrive in school and in life.

Why Early Language Matters

Research in education shows that a child’s vocabulary directly impacts their reading comprehension, intelligence, and academic performance. In early elementary years, especially from kindergarten to second grade, children are learning to read. By third grade, they are reading to learn.

Think about it like the butterfly life cycle. A child first learns simple words like butterfly, caterpillar, and egg, before being introduced to more complex terms like pupa or chrysalis. These vocabulary milestones reflect cognitive growth, and they don’t happen by accident. They’re built through everyday moments of talking, playing, and reading together.

The Power of Intervention

Early intervention is the key to breaking the Behind Cycle. By nurturing communication from birth, we give children the tools to express themselves, make sense of the world, and develop the confidence to participate in it fully.

As a speech-language pathologist and author of the Talk, Play, and Read series, I’ve spent over 30 years helping children with speech and language delays find their voice. Now, with the Behind Cycle program, I’m on a mission to help families everywhere do the same, starting in the home.

What You Can Do

Start where you are. Speak to your baby. Sing to your toddler. Read aloud every day. These small, consistent acts have a lasting impact. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or neighbor, you have the power to help a child grow into a confident communicator and a lifelong learner.

Let’s Change the Stats—Together

No child should fall behind simply because they didn’t have access to early language support. The Behind Cycle program is a donatable resource created to support families and communities, ensuring every child has a fair start.

Want to make a difference in a child’s life? Donate to the Behind Cycle and help us provide resources to children in need. Visit Talkplayandread.com for more information. Support our mission and help us reach more families through our Patreon.