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Excerpts from just a few of the
hundreds of letters of praise sent from people teaching reading at home:
“Dear
Toe by Toe team.
My nine
year old son has only four pages left to complete Toe by Toe.
He is looking forward to finishing it so he can celebrate over the half
term holiday. I would be so glad if you could send him a completion
certificate to celebrate this achievement that he has diligently been
working towards since 6 July 2012…. Many thanks for your help with the
certificate, but even more so for the work on Toe by Toe”
Dr R.H. –
Parent, Somerset – May 2013
"Hi. I have
used Toe by Toe with my dyslexic 10 year old - FANTASTIC!!!! He
has now started reading for pleasure thank you!"
Becky R, Proud
mum, U.K. - May 2013
“I am just
writing to let you know that my 10 year old son has just recently
completed Toe by Toe. As his mother, I would like to say that this book
is
brilliant and we are so grateful to have found this when we did.
In my son's words he would like to say "I could not read before, but now I
can. It was hard work but now I can read".
I cannot say in words what a huge difference this has made to Matthew. He
has grown in confidence already and shows much more interest in things
around him, now he can read them. Thank you for having written such a
brilliant, structured book”.
Mrs Jones – Bristol,
U.K. April 2013
“Dear Mrs Cowling,
Just a few rather inadequate words of thanks for all the hard work, dedication
and skill that you have brought to bear in teaching our daughter over the last
few years. It is no exaggeration to say that, but for you, her reading and
writing would be well below the standard achieved by her classmates. Not only
was her education and future at stake, but also her own self-esteem. The
bright, confident and outgoing child which we have today is the direct end
result of your teaching….. I hope that you continue your good work for many
years to come.”
Extract from a letter to Keda in 1992 – 2 years before TBT was published…
“My
son started Toe by Toe in October 2011 and he
finished today. He has had to work really hard as
he has found it very difficult, however, he has gone
from a non reader to being able to read. His sense
of achievement is enormous, and it has helped his
self confidence. He is having a couple of weeks off
and then we are starting the spelling book! We
emailed you with a question early in the process and
the advice you gave really helped. Thank you so
much”
P. L., parent U.K. – Feb 2013
“My
son, aged 8, has just this week finished the book. It took him 11 months of 4
days a week during school term time, some difficult days with the odd tantrum
along the way, some of them mine! His reading has improved dramatically along
with a new found confidence that's a pleasure to witness. Please pass on my
thanks to Keda for her wonderful book, I'm about to start a new copy of
Toe by Toe with my other son aged 7, at his insistence.”
Q.C.,
Dublin parent – Jan 2013
"Hi
just to say a big thank you for Toe by Toe. It took us rather longerthan
we thought but was worth every exercise. My son is 9 and I would be grateful if
you would send him the certificate and wrist band. A very Satisfied Dyslexia
tutor and mother…”
Cassie Hadlington – parent & tutor, Lancashire U.K. - Jan 2013
"Hello, My son completed Toe by Toe with excellent
results.
He started on 1st August and
finished at the end of Sept. He did
not miss a day. I believe you will
send him a certificate for
completion”
Proud mum, Cheshire, - Nov 2012
"Hi.
I am a Head of SEN in a school in
India. Being a member of Dyslexia
Guild, I attend conferences in the
U.K. and study CPD courses offered
by Dyslexia Action. Well, I have a
son who is dyslexic and on one of
the conferences, I got my hands on
this structured programme and bought
it. Back in India, I started this
programme with my son and he has
improved tremendously. Many Thanks
for that...."
Dr Deepa R., India - Oct 2012
“I would just like to say that yours
is the only reading programme
suitable for a gifted dyslexic who
has a fantastic memory. In other
programmes my daughter already can
read all the words using sight, but
she has no phonic skills, but with
Toe by Toe she is forced to apply
the skills she is being taught.”
Gwen H. -
Parent U.K. - Oct
2012
“I am emailing today to let you know
just how utterly thrilled I am with your
Toe by Toe programme. My now
nearly nine-year-old son was diagnosed
with mild dyslexia last year. It was a
huge relief after the struggles we had
endured during his first few years at
school. We started Toe by Toe in
November last year after it was
recommended to us by Dyslexia Action
and we are now on page 121. Within
about eight to ten weeks he was able to
access the kind of books that his peers
were reading. By March he took
standardised reading and comprehension
tests at his new school and we
discovered that his Reading Age had
improved by two years in one year. He
continues to go from strength to
strength as we start to focus more on
his writing and spelling. He does this
in the knowledge that he does not have
to contemplate a future that once
appeared to be compromised by
the prospect of struggle, defeat and
failure. My husband and I cannot than
you enough for the dedication and
commitment you showed over a period of
years to bring this programme of study
to the general public at a very
reasonable cost. It has helped turn our
son's life around. The positive impact
on our whole family has been great.
Thank you!”
Sarah Oxburgh – Parent, U.K.
Aug 2012
"Just to say thanks for a
great adventure, my son has
now finished the 'toe by
toe' manual after a very
long haul, it has helped him
so much and he is more
confident in his reading.
Is it true that you send out
a certificate for finishing
'toe by toe'? He was the
first person in his school
to start 'toe by toe' and
now many children are taking
on the book."
Proud parents, Devon, U.K. –
Aug 2012
“… However if he does read a
word wrong what I do know is
that he can ‘Toe by Toe’
it. He has all the rules
and comprehension of the
scheme and can adapt
accordingly. This was very
obvious when he had first
completed the scheme. It
was 4 years ago that he
completed the scheme and he
has read in church until
very recently and although
always confident about
standing up in front of an
audience initially he would
have to practice the reading
numerous times and arrive
early to make sure it was
the correct reading. In
later years he was not fazed
by reading off the page for
the first time. Biblical
readings are not always the
easiest!!
I truly value the help the
Toe by Toe scheme has
given my son and talk and
promote it at every
opportunity. It has been
the one really powerful tool
that he can use constantly.
I do not suffer from
dyslexia or any processing
difficulties but found it
very interesting. It also
allowed me to see that all
the things I did
“automatically” were not
automatic to my son. My
other son asked to go
through the course. He too
does not have any
difficulties and went
through it at a quicker
speed but he and I actually
enjoyed it and it gave me
peace of mind to know I had
not “missed” anything with
him.”
Mary M, parent – Aug 2012
“It was quite a journey and
we kept the book as a
souvenir. I've just taken a
look and we were on
Toe by Toe
24th Jan until the 18th of
December. I'm no longer
worried about his reading
and he's no longer worried
about his reading so it
definitely did the trick.
Basically
Toe by Toe
taught him the skills to
overcome the areas where
he was having difficulty.
I'm thrilled that for the
modest price of the book
and a modest amount of time
each day his reading is back
on track."
Meg E, Dublin parent – Aug
2012
"I just wanted to let you know how Toe by Toe changed my son's
life. About 14 years ago, when he was 8,
we were attending parent's evening at
his primary school, and were shocked and
distressed by the very poor quality of
his written work, and his low reading
age. His teacher had seen a
demonstration of
Toe by Toe,
and been very impressed, and the school
had let her buy just a couple of copies.
My son was not a severe enough case to
have special help at school, so the
teacher gave me the book to work through
at home with him. Many hours (and many
tears and tantrums) later, we finished
the course, and the difference in his
reading was nothing short of
miraculous. Last Friday we watched him
graduate with First Class Honours from
Bristol University!"
Amanda L. - parent, U.K. - July 2012
"Toe By Toe has helped me in
spelling and reading and now I am
reading chapter books! Now I LOVE
reading because it's not that hard any
more. Toe By Toe sure has helped in lots
of ways."
William, Grade 6, Heathmont,
Victoria, Australia - June 2012
"Toe
By Toe
has transformed my daughter's ability to
read and spell to which I am so grateful
to you all for the wonderful manual you
have created - it is quite brilliant.
Wishing you all the best and once again
thank you for making an incredible
impact on my own daughter's attitude and
abilities at school.”
Carole M., parent - U.K. May 2012
"Dear Toe by Toe,
Toe by Toe is boring but
brilliant. It helps my reading skills
get better. I used to get my B and D
muddled up and I hardly do now. I think
other people like me who find reading
difficult should have this book.
Yours sincerely,"
Mabel P. - Age 8, April 2012
“My 8-year old daughter and I have just
finished Toe-by-Toe. We are so
delighted with the progress she has
made. It's outstanding. Most
of all the confidence it has given her
and a new joy to reading, learning and
homework!”
Althea J. – parent, U.K. Mar 2012
"Thank you so much for your wonderful
book. I discovered it after searching
the internet looking for something to
help my 9 year old son who has been
struggling with his reading. His
progress has just been amazing and his
reading has improved tremendously –
thank you!"
Sarah, parent - South Africa Feb 2012
“I would like to pass on my thanks for
this fantastic helpful system. My
daughter aged 9, has dyslexia and
although very bright has struggled with
reading and spelling. This book has
been a brilliant aid for us to work
through together - the improvement has
been great. We started it together on
the 24th July 2011 and will finish it
together by the end of January. She has
been amazing how she has stuck at it and
been determined to succeed. I am very
proud of her.
May
I thank you once again for all your
efforts to assist children with
difficulties to read more fluently and
for the aid for parents to be able to
support effectively”
Moira R. – parent, U.K. Jan 2012
“I wanted to let you
and
Keda
know that I have been to Jessica's
parents evening this week at school.
It was a very positive meeting... her
teacher can not believe her reading
progress!!!!!!!
I'm not keen on schools tests for
children but I do feel it's necessary
to measure progress. Jessica has
recently
completed a reading test that
relates reading
ability to age. (She had done the
same test 12 months ago). The results
show she has gained 4.5 years in reading
age in 1 year!!! and is now 3 months
ahead of her age!!!
Her
teacher did question the test results as
he has never seen such a big
improvement.
I am very proud, as you can
imagine...and it's all due to Toe by
Toe. I can not thank you enough for
this 'magic' book, it has turned my
daughter’s life around, she is now
gaining confidence in all areas of her
life and loves reading!!! Please
pass on my e-mail address to anyone who
wants to hear from someone who has 'been
there and done that' and I will gladly
tell them our experiences and fantastic
results"
Pam Williams, Parent U.K. – Nov. 2011
“I thought I would update you on my
daughter’s progress. She is only 6 and
started the programme earlier this year,
in April. She is now top of her class
at reading and can read almost
everything – even the newspaper. We are
on page 189 of the programme and my only
problem is trying to slow down the pace
as she is reading words perfectly that
she does not recognise or understand.
Lots of other children and the teachers
at her school are now using Toe by Toe.
She was awarded student of the month at
her school for her incredible progress.
She has progressed in just six months
from a child who was suffering from a
very significant loss of confidence
because she was so far behind and
distressed and was unable to participate
in school - to a child who is happy,
confident and brimming with eagerness to
go to school and learn. I believe the
very early intervention with Toe by Toe
was so vital. I would hate to think
where we would be now if she had not
started on the programme. It is
certainly working exceptionally well for
her. Thank you for the programme and
the help.”
Bridget (parent) Ireland– Nov 2011
“We have found
your "little red book" to have a really
big impact!”
Renee Gordon – home educating mum, South
Africa, Nov 2011
“I also want to tell you about what
happened to my husband Paul at work last
week. He has lots of new students
starting at this time of year, and one
of them had put down on his form that he
suffered with dyslexia. Paul went to
talk to him so that he could put the
necessary support into place for him,
but the lad said 'Oh I don't need any
extra help, I have overcome my
dyslexia'. Paul asked how he had done
this and he said by doing Toe by Toe
and reading lots”
Anna B. – parent, U.K. Sep 2011
“…At the time I was using
Toe by Toe
with my then 10-year old daughter who has
Down's Syndrome. She is now 18 years old
and I wanted to let you know that her
literacy skills are amazing for someone of
her ability. She loves reading, she loves
writing, is able to express herself well
with a wide range of vocabulary, uses
figurative language and manages the
idiosyncrasies of the English language
well. Her spelling skills are more than
reasonable and anything she doesn't know she
has a good attempt at. She has developed
into a confident young woman who has great
aspirations for her life - her father and I
are extremely proud of her. A part of her
success is due to your scheme and I wanted
to say a sincere thank you”
Kim – parent of a child with Down’s
Syndrome, U.K. Sept 2011
" I
am a parent from the West of Ireland and currently my 7-year
old is doing Toe
by Toe. …
The improvement I have seen is just brilliant. I was in bed
the last night and it was too late to read a story but I
heard him pick up a book and start reading it and breaking
up the word and sounding them out and putting it together
again. To hear him read or trying was music to my ears. This
is a fantastic achievement for this child as prior to this
all he wouldn’t even make an attempt as he had it in his own
mind I CANT READ. But thanks to Toe by Toe he now
believes I CAN READ.
I don’t know what else to say but that I as a parent of a
child using Toe By Toe would be honoured to have you
at our school."
Maria - parent, Co. Galway, Ireland - July 2011
“I am a 12-year old boy who has just completed Toe by Toe. When my
teacher first showed me your little red book I did not feel over the moon about
doing it…. Over the next few months I dreaded hearing those words – ‘now for 15
minutes of Toe by Toe.’ However, over the next few months, I realised
how reading was getting so much easier even though the words were getting a lot
harder. Now that I have finished the programme, I feel so much more confident
at reading. I want to thank you for your magical red book. It was a miracle
for me!”
Dean (12 years old), Co Monaghan, Ireland – June 2011
"My mum got me toe by toe when I was 5 and I thought it was the best book. I
still remember the ‘bat before the ball makes b and ball before the bat makes d
and that still helps me now’ :) my mum passed it on to a friend of hers to help
her child and highly recommends it and I do too and I plan on using toe by toe
with my children when I have them so it can help them as much as it helped me”
Jodie G. - Dyslexia and the "Toe By Toe" manual's Facebook Page -
May 2011
"My daughter learnt to read using Toe by Toe, it was like the right key
turning the lock for her, can't recommend this enough! Watching Secret
Millionaire, and remembered how successful this scheme is…”
Rachel W. - Dyslexia and the "Toe By Toe" manual's Facebook Page -
May 2011
"Dear Keda,
Thank you for making this book. I've been on
the book for 2 years now. and have finally finished. Before I started Toe
by Toe I couldn't read but now I can read. I can read big books now and
sports pages from the newspaper This book has also helped me with my
spelling. Thank you very much.
P.S. No one has helped me with this letter
Dylan M. - Ventnor, Isle of Wight - Feb 2011
"Thank you for all your help in making 'toe by toe', it helped me to read better
and faster. I feel that I am better and more confident to read more books
because of you. It has helped me in school a lot in English and subjects that I
need to read. This has helped me read more books because I can read faster and
better. Thank you for all your help and support in making me have more
confidence in reading"
D.D. - age 14, January 2011
“My friend’s son started with me on 23rd September 2010 and has almost
completed Toe by Toe. He is brilliant and the local primary school cannot
believe it!!!”
Joyce S. Parent & private tutor, Northern Ireland - Dec 2010
"Hi - Just wanted to let you know that my 7 year and
1
month old son has just completed your book – he
started Feb 28th 2010 and finished today! He is now reading. Thank you - the
book is simply amazing!"
Vicki - parent, U.K. Nov 2010
"I
am a great advocate of Toe by Toe and thank you for producing a really
practical aid in a world of flannel."
Jonathan E. - parent,
Derbyshire, U.K. - October 2010
"I am a teacher and I ordered
Toe by Toe to use at home with
my son, Benjamin, and - I have to say - it has transformed our lives"
Parent, Basingstoke - October 2010
“Dear Keda and all involved in the Toe by Toe book,May I please let you know
what my son has achieved yesterday in his GCSEs:
4 ‘A’s in Maths, Science, Additional Science and Design Technology
4 ‘B’s in Geography, ICT x 2 and Citizenship
6 ‘C’s in French, Statistics, Eng. Lit. and Eng. Lang., Adult Numeracy and
Literacy.
We cannot thank you and Professor Sue Fowler at Oxford enough. To achieve these
grades all at the higher paper is remarkable. When he is asked he often refers
to the help that your little book inspired. These grades mean that he can go on
to Grammar school and study ‘A’ Levels in Engineering, Maths and Physics.
As a mother, words cannot begin to express my gratitude to you all. To achieve
‘C’ grades in both English and French is breathtaking. At the age of 8, I was
told by his then teachers that he would be lucky to finish school with any
grades. What a difference – with a lot of hard work and CONFIDENCE."
Vanessa T. (parent) - Aug 2010
"Dear
Keda Cowling & team,
I would
like to put into words the immense gratitude I feel towards you for the life
time of dedication you have shown to children and adults alike. You see, you
have changed my son’s life. You have empowered my wonderful, bright, articulate
boy. Before Toe by Toe, he frequently called himself ‘thick’ or
‘idiot’. You have made him realise he’s pretty darn smart! Yes, he has
dyslexia, but so what…? He now has the skills to cope. Everything is
achievable….”
Tracey M. - parent – Preston, Lancashire, Jan 2009
“My
daughter, age 11, has been working her way through your manual. The change in
her reading ability and, more important, her self-confidence, have been amazing.
She has a long way to go to overcome her dyslexia but now we feel confident in
encouraging her in her dream to be a teacher, as there is now hope that she will
make it through high school and on to university. Thanks so much for giving her
hope.”
Donna M (parent) – Binnu,
Western Australia. Jan 2009
"It
helped my son's speech/diction which was all part of his difficulties. Thank
you for helping me to help my son. If it hadn't been for your scheme, my son
may never have read, spoken or written. He now has several C and above
GCSEs..."
Parent/teacher, Castle
School, Bristol - Oct 2008
“Hello again Keda. Our granddaughter has now finished Toe by Toe. We cannot
praise the book enough; it has made a huge difference to her reading, spelling
and general confidence.”
Carole Shore, Stockport –
Sep 2008
“Dear Keda
I just wanted to let you know how successful Toe By Toe has been for my
daughter Emily who is 11 years. Emily started the Toe By Toe Scheme in
April 2006 and she has just got to the last page of the book. What a
transformation in Emily. She is now a confident reader and her self-esteem has
improved immensely. One of her favourite places is Waterstones bookshop! Two
years ago, Emily's reading age was four years behind her chronological age.
Today she has come home from school with a note from her teacher to say that her
reading age is now 12 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Toe By Toe
is brilliant. Thank you so much as you really have made a significant
difference to Emily's life!”
Nicola J. (parent) – April 2008
"I am a
Teaching Assistant in Cheshire and a mum of a dyslexic 18 year old. I have been
delivering the Toe by Toe programme in my school for the past two years.
I have seen children blossom and become confident readers and best of all see
them enjoying books because of Toe by Toe. I only wish I had found Toe
by Toe when my son was at primary school. Thank you".
Lorraine Garner T.A. &
Parent, Cheshire - Apr 2008
“My daughter has recently completed the Toe-by-Toe programme and I just wanted
to say how impressed I have been with the improvement in her confidence and
reading. We rely on our “rules” and she understands she can use them on a
day-to-day basis and doesn’t panic when confronted by “scary” words anymore!
Thank you!”
Mrs A.T. Parent, Solihull – June 2007
“Dear Keda,
Just a quick e-mail to thank you for Toe-By-Toe! My 9 year old son is a changed
child and has just this last Monday completed the book! There were many times
that he wanted to give up but we persevered and he is now a confident and happy
reader. Thank You! Thank You! I am told that he may receive a certificate to
mark his achievement. He is so proud and this would really please him.”
Linda T. (parent), Tonbridge - June 2005
"Dear Keda,
When I wrote to you a while ago you asked me to let you know when my son
finished toe-by toe. Well he's done it!! The scene of huge rejoicing and
celebration!
He
has been doing Toe by Toe for 9 months during which time he
was recommended to use yellow-tinted glasses by the Dyslexia Research Trust. At
his last assessment about 6 weeks ago his reading age had gone up by 3 years in
6 months! He is so thrilled and the difference is so noticeable. Thank you so
much for your work, we are so grateful to you."
Jane K., Proud Mum, U.K. - Apr 2004
"Dear
Keda,
I started my young son on Toe by Toe
in November last year. His reading has improved enormously, to the extent
that he will now read independently. I have found it most helpful to have
such a structured programme to follow where I can see exactly where his
difficulties are"
Mrs S.S., Bolton,
Lancashire - Feb 1998
“Mrs Cowling,
I’ve enjoyed Toe by Toe a lot because it has helped me a lot with my
reading and my spelling. My Mum and Dad are glad because of Toe by Toe.
When I first started, I though it was stupid, but now it is cool!”
Wayne L. – primary school pupil, Milton Keynes, June 1996
"Before toe-by-toe, I was living in a deep dark hole. Everyone
else understood things and I didn't. When I was given the book, I
felt a rope ladder had been thrown down to me. It didn't have any
rungs... I had to build them myself and that has taken time.
Now I feel I'm near the top and I can see daylight. I feel sorry
for anyone stuck at the bottom."
Edward Charlton (aged 10), Nantwich, Cheshire
“I would like to thank you, Mrs Cowling, for producing this wonderful book...”
Sharon Watson (Parent), DL1 UE
“I am now a total addict of Toe by Toe…I have been working with Toe
by Toe for over a year and have seen the amazing results not only in reading
ability and improved fluency but also in the child’s confidence.”
Jane Carleton-Glenn (Specialist teacher, 76139 Karlsruhe,
Germany)
"This book has been tremendous, there has been
a great improvement in my son's confidence and also his reading ability.
An extremely clever and structured book for dyslexic children, a vital
reading tool that should be available in all schools."
From: Caroline Duggan (Parent) Hereford
HR4 0SD
"My only criticism of Toe By Toe is that it was not available
four years ago when my son began to fail. If it had been available,
my son would not have had to suffer the effects of ignorance, denial of
developing literacy, and sheer neglect of his obvious dyslexic problems.
This book should be promoted so that every parent and teacher should know
of its existence. No child should have to suffer as Scott did..."
From: Brenda Fieldsend (parent) , Barnsley
S71 3NJ
"I like the highly structured progression - especially the 3
ticks. This is an excellent manual for parents willing to devote
just 20 minutes per day. The system is clear, logical and simple
to administer."
From: Karen Tiffany (parent), Shipley,
W. Yorks. BD18 2JX
"My son’s improvement (in reading and writing) is due to your
wonderful book. He is now again a happy, chatty, delightful child
obsessed with acquiring knowledge. It has truly saved our son from
a school life of feeling inadequate and fearful - you have given him back
his future and us our son"
From: Sarah Price (parent), Ashford, Kent TN24
9JT
"I am finding Toe By Toe brilliant. It is making
my child’s progress much easier and boosting her confidence. She
has come on in leaps and bounds since starting it and seems to be enjoying
reading much more."
From: Erica Fyle, Somerset BA4 4ET
"...I cannot believe the difference Toe By Toe has made
to my son’s reading. He is now a fluent, confident reader and every
signpost we go past he tries to read. So different from a year ago
when he was struggling to read anything. So, an enormous THANK YOU
- I don’t know where we would have been without it"
From: Liz Gartside, Hove BN3 4QQ
"It is so good to be able to tell a child, ‘By the time you finish
Toe
By Toe you will be able to read anything’..."
From: Helen Albans (Private tutor), Sheffield
S10 5PQ
"This book has been a godsend and the best bit is that my son
enjoys using it. In the past he has shied away from books and now
he enjoys them and is making great progress"
From: Mrs. J. Ward (parent), Clydebank,G81 6LJ
"My son has been working on Toe by Toe for the last two
terms...He now has a reading accuracy of 10.02 (it was 7.08) and a reading
comprehension of 12.06 (previously it was 8.00). I would just like
to pass on my thanks to you and everyone concerned in the production of
this book that has given my son the chance to access the normal school
curriculum and increase his self confidence to an amazing degree."
From: Christine Wilson, Surrey GU16 6PN
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