At Hebrew Scouts, we believe that every child can learn to read Hebrew in a way that is accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful. Whether your child is just starting out, hitting some bumps, or struggling to keep up with the class, we’re here to empower you—with structured tools, thoughtful- tiered support, and, when needed, direct services. We partner with families, tutors, and schools to help all learners succeed.
🤔 Could My Child Be Struggling?
You’re not imagining it—reading Hebrew is hard for many children. In fact, up to 40% of children struggle to learn to read in the early years without explicit instruction—even in their first language. And when it comes to Hebrew, which is often a second or third language, it can feel even more overwhelming at first.
So if your child:
- Hates homework or avoids Hebrew reading practice
- Mixes up similar-looking, or sounding letters and vowels
- Gets stuck on remembering letters or syllables again and again
- Seems bright but can’t read fluently
- Guesses instead of sounding out words
- Seems curious and attentive but not when it comes to reading
…you are not alone, and there is nothing wrong with your child.
Reading challenges are not an illness or a sign of low intelligence. On the contrary—some of the brightest minds have had difficulty learning to read. Think Alexander Graham Bell, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Tamir Goodman… and me.
🧠 Why Do Some Children Struggle With Reading?
Phonemic Awareness Doesn’t Always Come Naturally
Some children can hear and manipulate sounds easily (e.g., “What’s the first sound in bayit?” “What’s the last sound of yad?”). Others need to be explicitly taught this. Think of it like musical pitch. Some kids sing in tune right away. Others need practice—but they can get there! And today we know that phonemic awareness is essential for literacy.
Phonological Processing Speed Varies
Some children are born with faster phonological processing—they can name letters and blend sounds almost instantly. Others process sounds more slowly. This isn’t a sign of low intelligence—it just means they need more repetition and structured support. Reading without a good rate is extremely frustrating and burdensome. Making a child read can feel like pulling out teeth (and kids only have twenty teeth). Reading more than twenty words can feel like the most tiresome thing in the world.
Challenges (and Strengths) of Learning Hebrew
Unlike English, Hebrew has a consistent sound-letter system, which can help struggling readers. But it also comes with challenges: similar looking letters, diacritical vowel marks (nikud, small marks added to letters to inform pronunciation), and unfamiliar vocabulary. For many second-language learners, this makes explicit instruction and thoughtful pacing essential.
🤝 A Flexible System of Support—Designed for You
At Hebrew Scouts, we believe in universal instruction that works for a wide range of learners. But we also recognize that some children need different starting points, pacing, or scaffolds. That’s why we’ve built a tiered system of supports that you can use independently—or with our direct help.
Whether you’re a parent, tutor, or school partner—we’re here to empower you.
🟢 Tier 1: Self-Guided Support with Proven Tools
Many families and tutors are able to help their children succeed using our structured, ready-to-use materials. This is ideal for:
- Children who benefit from a manageable amount of strategic support
- Parents or educators with some teaching experience or comfort guiding supportive instruction
- Learners who need a structured, engaging, and comprehensive curriculum that gradually builds skills step by step
Getting started on Tier 1:
Does your child know the Alef-Bet?
- If not, begin with Phase 1.
- If yes, move ahead to Phase 2.
- Not sure? Use our Three-Part Assessment to find out whether your child’s Alef-Bet knowledge is strong and fluent enough to support successful Kriah.
Phase 1- Alef Bet
While Hebrew Scouts offers a full range of Alef-Bet materials, the Letter Lab Alef-Bet Worklets are especially comprehensive and provide a well-rounded, engaging learning experience that has proven to prepare children for Kriah.
Letter Lab Alef Bet Worklets – Support your child in building Alef-Bet recognition, phonemic awareness, Hebrew vocabulary, handwriting, and early literacy skills such as encoding and sound-symbol correspondence.
Phase 2- Kriah
If your child meet criteria on the above assessment you have two options for Kriah instruction:
Option 1: Comprehensive Track
NikudQuest Unit Kits– Everything you need to teach Kriah—no prep required!
Each kit includes a student-friendly Guidebook, 5–7 decodable Hebrew books, and ten engaging game sets. With step-by-step scripted lessons, playful and targeted practice, meaningful vocabulary, and built-in checkpoints, it’s the complete learning experience for classrooms, tutors, or home.
Designed to build phonemic awareness, reading accuracy, and fluency—from phrases and sentences to full stories.
Option 2: Faster Track
The NikudQuest Guidebooks take learners from decoding their first syllables and words to reading full sentences, stories, Torah verses, and tefillot. With clear, step-by-step lessons, meaningful practice, and intermittent checkpoints to monitor progress. Children build the skills and confidence to read Hebrew for both everyday communication and sacred texts.
🟡 Tier 2: Strategic Support – Hebrew JumpStart Session
Some children need a bit more direction—and some parents want confirmation before diving in.
Tier 2 is for you, if your child is:
- A few months behind
- Hesitant or inconsistent
- Between levels or unsure where to start
What you’ll get:
- A 30–45 minute informal assessment with your child
- A 30–45 minute mini consultation with parents, educators
- Personalized placement and pacing plan
- Clarity and confidence about next steps
👉 Schedule a Kriah JumpStart Session
If you can’t find a time that works for you, reach out to Nechamy@hebrewscouts.com
We partner with you to get your child started in a way that is doable, clear, and supportive.
🔴 Tier 3: Intensive Support – Clinical Evaluation & Tailored Plan, Tutoring
Some children need more than materials—they need a customized, intensive support plan. This is ideal for:
- Children who have been struggling for a while
- Learners with possible learning risks, such as dyslexia
- Students who have plateaued or are not responding to general instruction
We offer:
- Diagnostic and criterion-referenced testing and tutoring
- In-depth evaluation and remediation of:
- Phonological processing
- Symbol imagery
- Language comprehension (vocabulary, syntax, comprehension)
- Orthography achievements in reading and spelling
- Memory, attention, and a full learning profile relevant to literacy leaning
You’ll receive:
- A comprehensive written report
- A consultation for family and educators
- Clear tools and design to begin a targeted, effective intervention
- Options for leadership and implementation support for interventions
To Learn More:
Fill out this form. I’ll reach out to answer your questions and help you schedule suitable services.
This is more than testing—it’s a turning point.
🎯 Our Goal: Independence, Not Dependence
We’re not here to overserve or keep your child in tutoring forever. Our mission is to help each learner get on a secure, steady, and promising path toward Hebrew reading success.
For some families, that means using our tools independently. For others, it means getting targeted support or professional guidance for a time. We recognize that every child, tutor, and family has different needs, and we’re here in a flexible, responsive way to meet you where you are.
We aim to equip you with tools that work, support you until you feel confident, and ensure your child is growing with joy, confidence, and increasing independence—so they don’t just get help, they get ahead.
🧡 Why Families Trust Hebrew Scouts
We’ve helped hundreds of families and schools. We care deeply about making Hebrew reading:
- Joyful
- Feasible
- Research-informed
- Culturally meaningful
We’ve designed a system that works—and we’re ready to share it with you.
Hear the Testimony from our Partners.
Ready to get started—or still have questions?
I’m here to help. Email me directly at Nechamy@hebrewscouts.com or fill out the inquiry form so we can build the right plan for your child together.
