I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. 

When my daughter Saskia was in kindergarten, my world turned upside down. Despite my 10 years of experience as a Montessori educator, I was at a loss, I couldn’t teach my own child to read. Watching her struggle and shed tears broke my heart as a mother. I knew I couldn’t let this be her future, so I decided to fight this problem head-on. What followed was a journey that would reshape not only Saskia’s life but also the lives of countless other young learners.

We spent significant time, resources, and energy searching for the right solution. Ultimately, we made a big move, uprooting our family and moving from Virginia to New Jersey in 2021. This shift allowed Saskia to access resources that weren’t available in her previous school. For her to succeed, we crossed three states, leaving our life behind so she could get the reading help she desperately needed.

A Transformative Idea Born from Personal Experience

Watching Saskia’s progress gave me an idea: What if I could create a solution for other struggling readers? Knowing the power of play from my Montessori background, I began incorporating play-based strategies into my work. I saw firsthand how well-designed games could help dyslexic students engage with reading in a way that felt natural and fun. This eventually led to the creation of VOWEL POWA(R)™, a game I developed from scratch at my kitchen table using recycled materials. What started as an idea grew into a practical, effective tool for teaching reading skills, and students loved it!

 

A Family Vision to Impact the World

Through free game nights at local libraries and testing sessions with my students, I witnessed how VOWEL POWA(R)™ could reach children of all skill levels, increasing engagement and improving literacy. When my eldest son, a fellow dyslexic learner, told me, “Mom, what you’ve done is the most amazing thing ever,” it hit me that our family’s journey wasn’t just about us. It was about helping thousands of other families avoid the struggle we’d endured.

We now have the opportunity to bring VOWEL POWA(R)™ to classrooms, libraries, and homes across the country. But for this to happen, we need support. We’re launching a campaign to fund the first round of game production.

Sheridan Hotung playing VOWEL POWA(R)™ Educational Game for Dyslexia / Dyslexic Readers
Vowel Powa(r)

Let Reading Be the Adventure

VOWEL POWA(R)™ isn’t just about reading. It’s about reclaiming joy, rewriting the story, and discovering your child’s inner storyteller.

Curious to see how it works? You can try a mini version of the game today, perfect for a quick play session with big impact.

Sheridan Hotung, CALT
Certified Academic Language Therapist & Coach to the dyslexic community of children, parents & educators

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