During the pandemic, alongside many families we experienced the trials and tribulations of leading our kids’ learning at home. My wife was (at the time) a primary school teacher so in many ways we had an advantage when it came to home learning. That said, kids don’t always want to please their parents in quite the same way they do their teachers. Lessons went from a novelty to a bit of a chore!  

We didn’t realise at the time, but part of that struggle for our wee lad was likely dyslexia. When he returned to school he started to fall behind. We assumed it was partly his young age for his school year, partly the effect of repeated lockdowns.  

Prior to dyslexia being raised as a possibility by his teacher, we took the decision to work with a private tutor. The logic was that although he resisted reading with us (we later clocked this was partly due to him being very tired due to having to concentrate so hard) we figured if he had time with another teacher, he’d probably pay a bit more attention. 

Our son absolutely loved his chance to sit down at the computer on Saturday morning and have his first “meeting” online. It was a completely different environment to his normal learning, and he had the opportunity to mimic Dad at work. Great fun. His tutor was able to easily connect with him and to share reading material. He absolutely lapped it up.  

One added advantage of the screen-based lessons is that we are able to add coloured filters via the computer accessibility settings which helps him read the words on the page, making them appear less jumbled. 

He’s now been attending these lessons for close to 9 months. Alongside the additional support he has received since entering the dyslexia pathway at School, the online sessions have worked wonders for his confidence. He enthusiastically joins the call every Saturday morning. He has a fantastic rapport with his tutor, it’s a joy to see them interact. 

What a superb arrangement! His tutor gets to use her skills and earn cash at a time and place that is convenient to her. All in a way that has genuinely made a difference to our son. 

I’m proud to be helping bring a platform like Wisebee to the world that can support more positive shaping of young minds, while providing a flexible income for those with the skills and passion to help.