Phonetic Based Reading Program

Hi Meredith,

Both my girls loved The Phonics Game. I paid a ton of money for it new but I've seen it on ebay for around 50 or so dollars. I just gave mine away and the little girls using it, at three, is reading and enjoying it.

M.

You should wait and see what your school offers. Phonics is overblown and should be done with a reading program. I wouldn't spend all the money they want as just reading picture books with kids is so beneficial. As long as a parent spends time reading with their children, that is the best you can do.

I agree with the other mom who suggested Sing, Spell Read and Write. I homeschool, and used it to teach all 3 of my children to read. They all loved it! The songs and games are great and reinforce the phonics. All my kids read above grade level.

I ran my own preschool for 2 years. I used the program to teach my 4 yr old class to read. They have all since excelled in Kindergarten, and are great readers!

It is expensive, but worth it! Whatever you choose, make it fun! Your child has many years of school ahead, so enjoy whatever you do now.

Good luck!

Check out Sing Spell Read and Write. It's a fabulous program!

We love Headsprout. It is an online program you can find out more at Headsprout.com. We did it with our now 10 year old and she is a great reader. She has some eye development issues so we waited until she was 6 to do it. I am currently doing it with my five year old. He has some special needs, but it still works. When he needs more practice we just repeat the lesson. One time I decided we need to go back over a whole bunch of lessons. l emailed them and they moved me back. If you google Headsprout, you'll find a lot of info like the report from Florida where it was developed and the research they did. Alos, there is a comparison report that shows how the headsprout readers compare to other well know reading programs. You can try the first few lessons free.

I have Hooked on Phonics, too, but don't use it as much as the Headsprout. I use the Hooked on Phonics as a supplement when I think my daughter, and now son, need more practice.

Good Luck.

I recently checked out the Hooked on Phonics kits from our library for my 5 year old daughter. She did NOT like the dvd or workbook (boring) but she did like the little readers in the kit. She did well learning how to read the books in Kindergarten levels 1 and 2 without doing the workbook or dvd activities. I would also recommend "BOB" books, which can be found online or at Toys R Us or most bookstores. My daughter also likes the website starfall.com, which teaches phonics and reading skills.

We have Hooked on Phonics, and although my two reading kids have enjoyed the sticker progress sheets, it teaches reading differently from the actual Kindergarten classroom at our elementary. I spoke with my sons teacher and she sent home books and worksheets that correspond with how he is taught in class as to not confuse him. So, in short, talk with your childs teacher first.

H.

I taught my daughter to read at 4 with Hooked on Phonics. It is a great concept, but is hard to hold the attention.

She was on the younger side and didn't know the uncommon sounds, and I went on even when it said don't it didn't matter much.
I did skip around a little to try to keep her attention. She loved the books, computer games, not the work book.

It messed her up a little in kindergarten because it teaches
AT then C- AT B-AT school taught C-A-T and B-A-T. And sounding out words becoming a little harder at the level.

I started it 3 times before she was ready and finally finished it. Like I started, it did help me to teach her to read. I had no idea how to do it. So I glad for that, it was hard. Knowing my second child's personality we will not be doing it.

Hooked on Phonics is better than not teaching your kid to read at all, because school won't. I wish I new about starfall.com back then.
My 2 year old is already on it. If you haven't look at it, do before you buy anything.

this book, pick it up from the library:
"Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons"
Very helpful, step-by-step easy lessons.