
SEARCH & TEACH
Ages: 5 years & above
SEARCH & TEACH is a two-part, research-based early intervention program developed by NILD. It is designed to first identify learning readiness skills in young children (SEARCH) and then provide targeted instruction (TEACH) to strengthen those foundational skills before academic failure occurs.
Progression of Reading Skill Development
As children begin Kindergarten, they’re not just starting school—they’re beginning the crucial journey of learning how to read. Educators widely agree that Kindergarten to Grade 2 are the most important years for building reading skills. By Grade 3, children are expected to read to learn, making a strong foundation essential.
Purpose:
The main goal of SEARCH & TEACH is to:
-
Detect early signs of learning vulnerabilities
-
Strengthen essential pre-academic cognitive skills (such as attention, visual/auditory memory and sequencing)
-
Prevent future reading and learning difficulties
-
Help children develop the mental tools they need for school success
Who It’s For:
SEARCH & TEACH is ideal for:
-
Kindergarten to Grade 2 students
-
Children who may appear “bright” but struggle with reading readiness
-
Learners with early signs of learning delays or difficulties in focus, memory or coordination
-
Schools and parents looking for proactive strategies before academic gaps widen
Methodology:
-
SEARCH is a 30-minute, one-on-one screening assessing 5 core areas and 10 sub-skills needed for learning
-
If gaps are found, TEACH is introduced: a customized intervention using multi-sensory, cognitive-based techniques
-
TEACH sessions are short (20–30 minutes), fun and game-like, yet strategically designed to build skills like:
-
Visual and auditory memory
-
Fine motor control
-
Sequencing
-
Directionality and spatial orientation
-
Attention and language processing
-
-
The approach is non-academic—it builds the foundation for later learning, not curriculum content

Third Grade
Reading to
learn

Second Grade
Improving fluency
and comprehension

Building reading skills
First Grade

Kindergarten
Learning
to read
.png)
SEARCH & TEACH
Ages: 5 years & above
SEARCH & TEACH is a two-part, research-based early intervention program developed by NILD. It is designed to first identify learning readiness skills in young children (SEARCH) and then provide targeted instruction (TEACH) to strengthen those foundational skills before academic failure occurs.
Progression of Reading Skill Development
As children begin Kindergarten, they’re not just starting school—they’re beginning the crucial journey of learning how to read. Educators widely agree that Kindergarten to Grade 2 are the most important years for building reading skills. By Grade 3, children are expected to read to learn, making a strong foundation essential.
Purpose:
The main goal of SEARCH & TEACH is to:
-
Detect early signs of learning vulnerabilities
-
Strengthen essential pre-academic cognitive skills (such as attention, visual/auditory memory and sequencing)
-
Prevent future reading and learning difficulties
-
Help children develop the mental tools they need for school success
Who It’s For:
SEARCH & TEACH is ideal for:
-
Kindergarten to Grade 2 students
-
Children who may appear “bright” but struggle with reading readiness
-
Learners with early signs of learning delays or difficulties in focus, memory or coordination
-
Schools and parents looking for proactive strategies before academic gaps widen
Methodology:
-
SEARCH is a 30-minute, one-on-one screening assessing 5 core areas and 10 sub-skills needed for learning
-
If gaps are found, TEACH is introduced: a customized intervention using multi-sensory, cognitive-based techniques
-
TEACH sessions are short (20–30 minutes), fun and game-like, yet strategically designed to build skills like:
-
Visual and auditory memory
-
Fine motor control
-
Sequencing
-
Directionality and spatial orientation
-
Attention and language processing
-
-
The approach is non-academic—it builds the foundation for later learning, not curriculum content

Third Grade
Reading to
learn

Second Grade
Improving fluency
and comprehension

Building reading skills
First Grade

Kindergarten
Learning
to read
.png)
SEARCH & TEACH
Ages: 5 years & above
SEARCH & TEACH is a two-part, research-based early intervention program developed by NILD. It is designed to first identify learning readiness skills in young children (SEARCH) and then provide targeted instruction (TEACH) to strengthen those foundational skills before academic failure occurs.
Progression of Reading Skill Development
As children begin Kindergarten, they’re not just starting school—they’re beginning the crucial journey of learning how to read. Educators widely agree that Kindergarten to Grade 2 are the most important years for building reading skills. By Grade 3, children are expected to read to learn, making a strong foundation essential.
Purpose:
The main goal of SEARCH & TEACH is to:
-
Detect early signs of learning vulnerabilities
-
Strengthen essential pre-academic cognitive skills (such as attention, visual/auditory memory and sequencing)
-
Prevent future reading and learning difficulties
-
Help children develop the mental tools they need for school success
Who It’s For:
SEARCH & TEACH is ideal for:
-
Kindergarten to Grade 2 students
-
Children who may appear “bright” but struggle with reading readiness
-
Learners with early signs of learning delays or difficulties in focus, memory or coordination
-
Schools and parents looking for proactive strategies before academic gaps widen
Methodology:
-
SEARCH is a 30-minute, one-on-one screening assessing 5 core areas and 10 sub-skills needed for learning
-
If gaps are found, TEACH is introduced: a customized intervention using multi-sensory, cognitive-based techniques
-
TEACH sessions are short (20–30 minutes), fun and game-like, yet strategically designed to build skills like:
-
Visual and auditory memory
-
Fine motor control
-
Sequencing
-
Directionality and spatial orientation
-
Attention and language processing
-
-
The approach is non-academic—it builds the foundation for later learning, not curriculum content

Third Grade
Reading to
learn

Second Grade
Improving fluency
and comprehension

Building reading skills
First Grade

Kindergarten
Learning
to read
.png)
Intervention Programs
Every child learns differently and cognition begins early. Our personalized programs target each child’s unique strengths and needs, using informal assessments and flexible strategies across the C.A.P.S. framework—Cognitive, Academic, Perceptual-Motor and Socio-Emotional—to help them thrive.

Search & Teach
Giving Children a Strong Start in Reading
Progression of Reading Skill Development
.png)

Third Grade
Reading to
learn

Second Grade
Improving fluency
and comprehension

Building reading skills
First Grade

Kindergarten
Learning
to read

Third Grade
Reading to
learn

Building reading skills
First Grade

Kindergarten
Learning
to read

Second Grade
Improving fluency
and comprehension
As children begin Kindergarten, they’re not just starting school—they’re beginning the crucial journey of learning how to read. Educators widely agree that Kindergarten to Grade 2 are the most important years for building reading skills. By Grade 3, children are expected to read to learn, making a strong foundation essential.
SEARCH & TEACH is a research-based early intervention program that strengthens the perceptual skills needed for reading success. It’s especially valuable for children at risk of reading difficulties, giving them the tools to build confidence and thrive as lifelong readers.
SEARCH (Screening &Assessment)
-
A 20-25 minute screening that evaluates a child’s cognitive and perceptual skills.
-
Identifies strengths and weaknesses in key learning areas.
TEACH (Intervention & Skill Development)
-
A one-on-one program tailored to strengthen weak areas identified in SEARCH.
-
Uses structured activities to enhance perceptual, motor and cognitive skills essential for reading success.
-
Sessions are conducted several times a week for optimal progress.
Program Details
-
Age Group: 5 to 7 years (typical kids).
-
Age Group for neurotypical depends on the year of diagnosis.
-
Can be administered to a whole class to identify kids at risk in any of the key areas required for learning.
-
Prepares children for reading success, and prevents the emotional consequences of frustration or failure in the classroom.
By addressing learning challenges early, SEARCH & TEACH ensures that children build a strong foundation for academic success, making their transition into formal education smoother and more confident.
As children begin Kindergarten, they’re not just starting school—they’re beginning the crucial journey of learning how to read. Educators widely agree that Kindergarten to Grade 2 are the most important years for building reading skills. By Grade 3, children are expected to read to learn, making a strong foundation essential.
SEARCH & TEACH is a research-based early intervention program that strengthens the perceptual skills needed for reading success. It’s especially valuable for children at risk of reading difficulties, giving them the tools to build confidence and thrive as lifelong readers.
SEARCH (Screening &Assessment)
-
A 20-25 minute screening that evaluates a child’s cognitive and perceptual skills.
-
Identifies strengths and weaknesses in key learning areas.
TEACH (Intervention & Skill Development)
-
A one-on-one program tailored to strengthen weak areas identified in SEARCH.
-
Uses structured activities to enhance perceptual, motor and cognitive skills essential for reading success.
-
Sessions are conducted several times a week for optimal progress.
By addressing learning challenges early, SEARCH & TEACH ensures that children build a strong foundation for academic success, making their transition into formal education smoother and more confident.
Impact and Benefits:
SEARCH & TEACH helps children:
-
Gain the readiness skills needed to thrive in reading and writing
-
Close learning gaps before they grow into larger academic struggles
-
Build confidence and motivation for school
-
Improve focus, attention, coordination and learning stamina
-
Transition more easily into formal classroom instruction
Key Features Parents Should Know:
-
It’s a prevention-focused program, not a remedial one—best used early
-
The SEARCH screening is gentle, fun, and helps pinpoint a child’s unique learning profile
-
TEACH sessions are short, engaging and child-friendly
-
It targets thinking and processing skills that affect reading and classroom learning
-
Ideal for schools, early childhood centers and parents who want to support their child’s learning from the start
-
It can help prevent mislabeling or unnecessary referrals by addressing root causes early

More information on Search & Teach can be found on nild.org.


