📚 The top 4 tools to teach your child to read
Our favorite early literacy programs for parents to use at home with kids
A lovely aphorism holds that education isn’t the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.
But too often, neither are pails filled nor fires lit.
One of the most bearish statistics for the future of the United States is this: Two-thirds of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient in reading.
Reading may be the most important skill we can give children. It’s the pilot light of that fire.
Nicholas Kristof, NYTimes
Reading is a crucial skill for children, offering benefits such as self-directed learning, knowledge, upward mobility, pleasure, and academic success. Unfortunately, two-thirds of fourth-grade students in the United States are not proficient in reading, a concerning statistic for the future of the country. When APM’s “Sold a Story” podcast was released, many parents were shocked to learn that the way reading is taught in most schools is not in line with established scientific research on how children learn to read. There are proven methods for teaching reading, including systematic phonics, multisensory strategies, differentiated instruction, and explicit instruction.
[T]he science of reading is bigger than phonics. [It] is the converging evidence of what matters and what works in literacy instruction, organized around models that describe the how and why. -Cindy Jiban, NWEA
Unless you’re a literacy specialist, it might feel a little daunting choose from the thousands of early literacy tools available to make the right choice for your child’s reading program, aligned with the science of reading. Luckily, we have reviewed and tested dozens of popular tools to select our top four choices for different learning needs. Whether you want to give your avid reader a head start or support a struggling reader, our guide will help you choose a reading program that aligns with the science of reading and maximizes your child's chances of success.
Like math programs, the best tool to support a child’s reading varies considerably according to their learning needs (even among siblings). Children differ in how they learn. A small percentage even teach themselves to read “by osmosis,” (precocious readers), figuring out how to decode as parents read to them. However, most children will NOT teach themselves to read, and require at least some explicit instruction in phonics. Learning a language is a natural process for children, but learning to read is not.
Whether you want to give a head start to your avid storybook lover or support a reluctant reader, our guide will help you choose a reading program that aligns with the science of reading and maximizes your child's chances of success.
It can feel almost magical when you give your child a skill that opens a new world to them. Teaching your child to read may be the most delightful, inspiring, and exciting experiences you’ll share together. Enjoy ❤️
What we looked for
Evidence-based: Aligned with the science of reading, extensive, conclusive studies and neuroscience research that’s been conducted over the past several decades about how children learn to read.
Mastery-based: Students must master one concept before moving on to the next in an order that makes sense for learning.
Secular: No religious content or religious references.
Fun and engaging: Kids love to use them and keep coming back for more.
Easy for parents to use with kids: Open and go, easy and enjoyable for parents to use with kids.
Good user experience: Intuitive and simple to follow, the apps are not buggy.
Full curriculum: Can be used as a stand alone curriculum to teach reading. Some apps we tested are great to supplement reading at school or build letter/sound awareness, but we wouldn’t necessarily recommend them as a full curriculum.
Kids learn to read: With reading programs, there’s a clear outcome. When kids use these programs they finish knowing how to read fluently.
Diverse and inclusive: Includes diverse characters and perspectives.
How we tested
Parents. We reviewed feedback from over 100,000 homeschool parents on programs their children, many of whom are teachers.
Teachers. Our own teachers tried dozens of different math programs from our initial selection, reviewing them for pedagogical approach and accuracy.
Literacy specialists. We consulted with certified reading teachers to ensure that the programs were aligned with the latest research on the science of reading.
Children. We observed dozens of students use these, starting from a point of no letter awareness or reading ability to devouring chapter books independently.
A note about affiliate links: We independently review everything we recommend. Some of of the products we recommend include affiliate links, but it does not impact our selection of curriculum. All products with affiliate links are marked with a star (*).
1. Our top choice overall
1. Wild Reading*
Also best choice for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and of course, physically active children, and of course, plant and animal lovers!
Child archetype: Loves nature, the outdoors, arts and crafts, and spending quality time with mom, dad or caregivers. Ideal for physically active children with short attention spans, as well as advanced and focused children.
Not a fit for: Children under the age of five who have expressed no interest in reading and have no phonemic awareness or parents/caregivers who don’t have 30-40 minutes a day to participate in reading lessons with kids.
Wild Reading is a nature-based, multisensory reading program designed for children ages 5-8. The curriculum was developed by Rachel Tidd, a special education teacher and homeschool mom whose own son was struggling to read at school. Dismayed that the reading programs available didn’t follow the science of reading she’d learned at graduate school, she decided to create her own. Wild Reading follows the engaging story of Matilda the Mouse, and is fully aligned with the science of reading, focusing first on letter pages, then word families as a developmental step before moving on to phonics, while incorporating spelling, language and reading comprehension skills. The program comes in the form of a digital download which families must print. Each week includes a different lesson and it’s generally recommended that a caregiver do 2-4 activities per lesson with their child for optimal results. Learning outdoors can be highly engaging for kids, helping them focus, and is by design more hands-on and project-based. While learning happens “outdoors,” Wild Reading can easily be completed in an urban or rural environment, so families who live in cities can absolutely take advantage of the program. There are two levels and each level is $79, plus additional expenses for printing and some materials (though most are free and can be found outside).
Pros
Hands-on learning
Learning happens organically because children are engaged and connected to materials
Story is compelling and not too “babyish”
Great for kids with ADHD and Autism
Cons
Wild Reading is only available as a digital download, so parents have to print it, which can be expensive.
Wild Reading requires more parent/caregiver involvement than other programs (30-40 minutes a day, 2-4 times a week), but many parents find this high quality time together gratifying and joyful.
Wild Reading is on the pricier side at $79 per level for each digital download. There are two levels total.
Some parents with younger siblings were concerned about children throwing the rocks kids use to write letters as part of the curriculum.
On a budget: Selling the digital file of Wild Reading is not permitted under federal copyright law. Parents who are struggling financially may buy the printed version from another parent in Wild Reading Curriculum Group if the if the buyer has purchased a digital license. Some families may be even willing to donate their curriculum. Modulo is currently working to make a number of digital downloads available for free to under-resourced families, so please contact us if that’s of interest to you in the future.
Discount: Use the code “Modulo” for a 10% discount on Wild Reading
Listen to or watch Modulo’s interview with Wild Learning founder, Rachel Tidd, to learn more
2. Most efficient non-digital
Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons*
A classical, effective approach to teaching reading
Child archetype: Generally cooperative kids who are at least somewhat motivated to learn how to read.
Not a fit for: Kids who are easily board, reluctant readers, restless, very young and not yet shown an interest in reading, typically impatient or difficult to convince to do tasks that aren’t highly entertaining.
This timeless classic has been used by millions of parents to effectively teach their child to read in only 20 minutes a day for 100 days. After carefully reading the intro and understanding the technique, parents or caregivers simply read through the script to their child every day for 20 minutes, giving the child prompts as they go. It’s a phonics based-approach, that is sequenced in a way that aligns with the neuroscience behind reading. The only downside to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is that it’s a bit dry and doesn’t have fun pictures of monsters or princesses, so your child needs to be willing to sit with you twenty minutes a day and engage. You will not find any funny animals or monsters in this book to keep kids entertained. That said, it definitely gets the job done, so if you have a relatively patient child who enjoys 1-1 time with you and likes being read to, this program will be a good fit. John McWhorter shares the story of how he used this book to teach his daughter to read in the Atlantic, despite not considering himself to be what he’d describe as a “diligent teacher.” Be sure to consult the book’s official website for videos on how to follow the program. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is typically about $19 on Amazon, but can often be found at the local library, or via another parent who has used it with their child and finished teaching them how to read.
Pros
It’s highly effective and efficient if used correctly (parents and caregivers should read the instructions carefully before starting)
Some children love the routine and clear expectations of each lessons.
Many parents love that the lessons are each so short, and quick enough for kids to stay engaged. However, this is not the case with all students (see cons)
The programs features enjoyable extracurricular activities to keep kids engaged and learning.
Cons
If parents don’t carefully read the instructions at the beginning, the book won’t work as well and children may lose interest.
This is not an entertaining program. Many families find it dry and there are no visuals, but it gets the job done. Some families quit half-way through when their kids lose interest or started loathing the program. However, many children also love it. It will really depend on your child’s temperament and willingness to engage.
Some kids can’t sit still for an entire lesson, so parents stop the lesson after 20 minutes or even 5 minutes and return to it the next day. As in all learning, pay attention to your child’s pace and respect that above all else. Respecting your child’s pace pace is a critical component of effective mastery learning.
Some children with dyslexia have trouble with this program.
On a budget: Get it free at your local library (or ask the library to request it through your library network), used at Amazon or used under $8 on eBay
The book’s official website features several very helpful videos by the author to help parents understand how to follow the program.
3. Best for Dyslexia
Nessy(Ages 6-11)
Designed for children with dyslexia, but a great option for any child learning to read, regardless of whether they have dyslexia.
Child archetype: Designed for children with dyslexia, but appropriate for all readers. This is a good choice for a child who relishes screen time, videos and online games.
Not a fit for: Children too young for screen time, or who prefer outdoor, highly physical activities.
Nessy is an award-winning educational platform that draws on the Orton-Gillingham method to offer personalized reading and spelling lessons to children of all abilities. Nessy began as a solution for dyslexic children, but has grown to encompass phonics, math, typing, and early reading instruction for all children. The Nessy Challenge establishes a baseline for each child, and then automatically assigns target lessons. The program includes videos, games, and worksheets to help children work independently. Parents can monitor their child's progress through the reporting feature. Children are rewarded for their effort with virtual trophies and games. Nessy follows the Science of Reading and collaborates with leading academics to ensure their programs are research-based. Nessy has won three Educational Resources Awards and has been used in 190 countries. Nessy is an excellent choice for parents who want an affordable and effective online learning tool for their children. However, it may not be the best fit for children who need hands-on, in-person instruction. Nessy's programs start at $13.50 per month, making it an affordable option for families. Be sure to let your child complete the introduction without help as this segment places them at the right level in the game.
Pros
The games are fun and provide innovative tips and mnemonic devices
Inspires confidence and a love of reading in children, even those with resistance who have struggled with reading in the past.
Printables are available for supplemental work
Great for children with learning differences, not just dyslexia.
Does reading in conjunction with spelling, which is important for dyslexic kids
Cons
Some compatibility issues since with Mac, works best when opened on Chrome.
Some kids learn how to “game” the game and it doesn’t work as a learning tool for them anymore.
Some children need more explicit instruction than Nessy provides, so parents supplement it with other programs.
Like anything, children can have strong preferences and aversions to programs. Some kids loathe Nessy. In this case, it’s advised to try another program. Some children do not engage well with screen-based activities. Typically kids who dislike Nessy, might do better with a physical curriculum.
4. Best Digital App
Homer (Ages 2-8)*
The most fun, effective adaptive early learning app we tried for beginning readers.
Child archetype: Loves playing video games and understand how to use digital technology.
Not a fit for: Kids who are physically active and have short attention spans. Parents may want to be cautious about exposing children under the age of four to digital apps and there is some research suggesting this negatively impacts brain development.
Homer is an award-winning online reading program designed to help children aged 2 to 8 years old develop reading and critical thinking skills. After signing up for a 30-day free trial, families can select their children’s interests and answer questions to place them at the right level. To learn to read, children or a caregiver must select the reading pathway and play sequential games that are designed to adapt to the child’s level as they go. The program offers hundreds of lessons and activities that adapt to each child's reading level and provide personalized recommendations for books and activities. Homer's origin story dates back to 2011 when founder Neal Shenoy struggled to find a reading program that was engaging and effective for his own daughter. He was dismayed to discover that many programs were not aligned with the science of reading. The program is based on the latest research in early childhood education and is designed by literacy experts. Homer has won multiple awards, including the Parents' Choice Gold Award and the Academics' Choice Award. Homer is a great fit for families looking for an engaging and effective way to help their children develop reading skills. The subscription ranges from $8-17/month with a 30 day free trial
This helpful guide explains the science behind Homer’s approach to teaching reading with links to scholarly articles.
Budget: Teach Your Monster and DuoLingo ABC are also wonderful reading apps available for free.
Pros
The app is easy to use even for very young children
Homer builds a pathway based on a child's ability and pace, making it a personalized and enjoyable learning experience.
Homer has helped some non-verbal children to be on the path to speaking fully
Children can personalize the app to their taste, for example, by choosing monsters or princesses
Cons
Some families found the app very glitchy even when they uninstalled and re-installed it, while others had no problem at all.
Some parents felt there were not enough tools to help parents track children’s progress
Families will need to direct their children to the reading pathway to ensure they’re focusing on reading, not painting, math or other early learning activities
Homer may not be suitable for children with speech delays or dyslexia, as it requires verbalization to move on with concepts.
A note about using apps to teach kids to read:
While it would be nice to hand a child an app and let it teach your child to read, we’re not quite there yet. In general, we found most digital apps were not sufficient in and of themselves to fully teach a child how to read. There was also a huge variety in the way our kids responded to different apps. Young children can be especially particular about preferences and aversions. For every app one parent swore by, another parent “detested” ranging from reasons such as they found the app glitchy, to their child found the main character “creepy” or “annoying”. Since children who learn to read are often younger, they may not also be developmentally ready for this amount of screen time (there’s some evidence that early exposure to screens for children under the age of three can be harmful to brain development, possibly leading to ADHD and difficulty learning to read). One component of the science of reading is that reading needs to be highly differentiated for different types of learners, which is challenging to do with an app. If your child doesn’t respond well to the app, it might be an indication that they would do better with a physical curriculum.
More great digital apps that follow SoR
Lalilo (Free with premium option)
This new app by French developers is closely aligned with the science of reading and beloved by parents and literacy teachers alike. Families like that there’s an easy to follow parent dashboard where they can see detailed information about their child’s progress. Lalilo will soon be restricting many of the items that were previously available in the free version and only including them in the premium version. Premium members of the Modulo Community can get access to the app via our teacher code.
DuoLingo ABC (Free)
Winner of the 2020 Time Best 100 inventions and app store, this is an intuitive, highly engaging digital app, created by the founders of the DuoLingo foreign language app. While new, it has already won multiple awards and our Modulo students enjoyed using.
Reading Eggs* Fast Phonics
Many families found Reading Eggs to be the most fun and entertaining program they tried. Note that their program, Fast phonics follows the science of reading, but the Reading Eggs main program does not. Free for 30 days and $9.99/month after.
Teach Your Monster to Read (Free)
Teach Your Monster is closely aligned with the science of reading and most children find it to be one of the most fun and engaging apps. However, our Modulo students had difficulty understanding how to play some of the games and got stuck at various junctures through the app. This app is free, thanks to the support of the Usborne Foundation.
Lexia for Home (PreK-8th)
Lexia is an online, structured, adaptive, blended learning program that accelerates the development of literacy skills for students of all abilities Note that it is only available to purchase home licenses through Lexia’s family research partner, Lexia for Home. One license costs $175 for a year-long subscription
Also good reading programs
There are so many great reading programs that have been created to help kids, but we couldn’t include all of them in this guide. Here are a few more engaging programs homeschool families love that are aligned with the science of reading.
Alphablocks: Alphablocks is a British phonics-based television program that uses animated characters to teach children how to read by sounding out words in a fun and engaging way. We used alphablocks to help our earliest Modulo learners develop phonemic awareness and basic phonics skills by watching the videos with them, pausing before the little letters made a word and asking kids to sound it out before the letters did. It is available for free on YouTube.
All About Reading*: All About Reading is a multisensory reading program that focuses on decoding, fluency, and comprehension, and uses a variety of hands-on activities to help children learn to read. It costs $149-$199 depending on the level.
Explode the Code: Explode the Code is a phonics-based program that emphasizes phonemic awareness, decoding, and spelling skills through a series of workbooks and online resources. It costs $9.99-$16.99 per workbook.
Logic of English: Logic of English is a comprehensive reading program that teaches phonics, spelling, grammar, and handwriting through a systematic approach that emphasizes the logical nature of English spelling and pronunciation. It costs $99-$389 depending on the level and package.
Hooked on Phonics: Hooked on Phonics is a multimedia-based reading program that uses a variety of materials, including books, CDs, and digital resources, to teach phonics, decoding, and sight word recognition skills. It costs $39.99-$59.99 per level or $179.99 for the complete set.
Bob Books*: Bob Books is a series of phonics-based children's books that use simple stories and repetition to help children learn to read by gradually introducing new phonetic elements and sight words as they progress through the series, and it costs $16.99-$54.99 depending on the set.
The research
Why Trust Us
How we Tested
Our Top Pick: Wild Reading
How to use Wild Reading
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
The science of reading
When to start teaching kids to read
Reading by Osmosis: Can kids teach themselves to read?
Why use a reading curriculum at home with kids
About your guide
Resources for further exploration
Why Trust Us
This guide was created through extensive research, testing and consultations with literacy specialists over the past three years. The guide and CEO of Modulo spent 20 years as a classroom teacher and private tutor with children ages PreK-12th grade where she was able to directly observe the pros and cons of different reading approaches in public and private school. She herself learned to read at a classical Montessori school, helped by her mother, a certified Montessori early educator. To determine the best reading curriculum, we pored over tens of thousands of comments in secular homeschool groups to see which types of curriculum were most commonly recommended by parents, what they liked and disliked in each program. Since we have experience building tech products for parents, we were also able to do a deep dive on the user experience of each app, and prioritize apps that were well-designed with a solid user experience and minimal glitches We then tested them with dozens of our own students to see if they were engaging, and to observe if and where students got stuck, due to the way the apps were designed or glitches in the program. We were also able to see if the programs were able to teach children how to read or if supplements were required. Once we selected our top programs, asked literacy specialists and classroom teachers to evaluate whether they were aligned with the science of reading.
How we tested
After sifting through thousands of comments reviews in online parent groups, the fan pages of various programs and in popular review sites, we narrowed down the choices to about a dozen promising programs. Once we’d selected our top choices, we paired tutors with a wide range of abilities (ranging from college students with no prior teaching experiences to trained literacy specialists) to use these programs to teach children to read who had no prior reading experience. By watching children use curriculum and play with the apps, we were able to see first-hand their level of engagement, any places they got stuck, and if the app was able to serve as a full curriculum. To supplement these efforts, we tested the programs with parents and their own kids. We recommended selected families to try out different programs with their kids, and then consistently returned for feedback, changing recommendations until they found a program that worked for them. After a year spent on making our initial selection and two years testing them with families, we chose our top programs and had them reviewed by literacy specialists.
Our Top Pick: Wild Reading
Designed by a special education teacher and homeschool mom, Wild Reading is an evidence-based, outdoor literacy program. We like it because it uses a hands on, multi-sensory approach, is easy for families to follow and is closely aligned with the science of reading. Wild Reading was born out of Rachel Tidd's passion for integrating outdoor learning with core academics, inspired by her children's experience at an outdoor forest preschool. Rachel Tidd holds Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and a B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Wild Reading has been used in schools and by homeschool parents worldwide, and Rachel has written and presented about Wild Reading and outdoor learning at conferences, podcasts, and magazines. The Tidd family, including Leo, the business operations manager, and their two children, Finn and Taro, are passionate about outdoor adventures and have been a driving force behind Wild Learning.
Wild Reading is a comprehensive program that teaches young children how to read in a fun and gentle way. The program integrates outdoor learning, multisensory methods, and an overarching story, while providing a strong foundation in key reading skills such as phonological awareness, phonics, and writing. The program takes beginning readers on a story-based journey following Matilda the Mouse and her adventures to the top of a marvelous mountain. Each week, the story highlights the week's featured letter sound and is followed by engaging lessons and activities in phonological awareness skills, letter formation, word families/phonics, common "sight" words, writing activities, independent reading practice using decodable books, and other key literacy skills throughout the week.
Wild Reading is an evidence-based program aligned with the science of reading, applying a sequential, systematic, explicit and multisensory approach to phonics instruction based on the Orton-Gillingham method. Tidd devotes a large part of the first chapters of the intructor’s manual explaining how Wild Reading integrates the neuroscience of reading into the curriculum. First, it emphasizes phonics instruction, which is a critical component of reading development. The program teaches letter-sound correspondences systematically and explicitly, which is essential for developing decoding skills. Wild Reading focuses on building vocabulary through exposure to a wide range of texts, including both fiction and nonfiction. Research shows that vocabulary knowledge is a strong predictor of reading comprehension, and Wild Reading's emphasis on vocabulary development aligns with this research. Finally, the program emphasizes comprehension strategies such as making connections, visualizing, and summarizing, which are supported by research on effective reading instruction.
While many families will be eager to spend this enriching educational time with their kids, some families may be reticent to spend 30-40 minutes a day teaching their children to read outside. However, the highly engaging and effective exercises will make this time well spent and gratifying for all.
How to use Wild Reading
Wild Reading is an open-and-go program, meaning that it requires little to no prep time and can be easily implemented by parents without much prior teaching experience. The program provides a suggested pacing guide and weekly plans, making it easy for parents to plan and organize their child's reading lessons. Wild Reading is recommended to be used 2-4 times a week, providing families with flexibility to incorporate outdoor instruction into their schedule. Each lessons also includes a materials list. Most materials (such as hula hoops or outdoor jackets) will already be lying around your house, while the rest can be found in nature (for free).
The program is designed to be flexible, though we found families who use the program four times a week for 30-40 minutes get the fastest results. Weekly and daily schedules are provided, and most activities are designed to offer families flexibility in the amount of outdoor instruction incorporated. The program also includes a wide variety of enrichment activities covering a range of subjects, including nature study, science, art, movement, and music. Parents are encouraged to involve their children in the gathering of materials and to tailor the program to their child's interests and learning style.
Both levels of Wild Reading do have a list of required materials, which can be found on their information pages. For Level 1, the main materials needed include Bob Books Beginning Readers (approximately $10), Fun Tales Readers (around $20), and a moveable alphabet, which can be DIY-ed for about $30. Additionally, some sidewalk chalk will be necessary, which can vary in price from $1 to $10 depending on where it's purchased and how much is needed. For Level 2, field guides for your geographic area will also be required in addition to a moveable alphabet and some sidewalk chalk.
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
While Wild Reading is an excellent reading program for children, there are a few considerations that parents should be aware of, but that should not deter them from using it. One issue is that it is only available as a digital download, which can be cumbersome and expensive to print. Printing at home using an Epson Ecotank printer* is the most economical option, but it can still be expensive and time-consuming. Copy shops specializing in homeschool printing can be more affordable than places like Staples. While it can be more expensive than other programs, especially with the extra cost of printing and materials, which can reach $50-100 many homeschool families tend to be quite generous and will frequently donate or sell a printed version to struggling families. If you’re struggling financially, we recommend joining the Wild Reading Curriculum Group and asking if anyone is willing to donate or sell their copy. (Please not that it is illegal for families to re-sell a digital download but they can re-sell the used, printed version).
Additionally, there is sometimes a misconception that Wild Reading does not align with the science of reading because it includes sight words. However, this is not the case. The Wild Reading program recognizes that children do not memorize words as pictures, but need to decode them through orthographic mapping. Sight words and word families are introduced incrementally based on letter sounds being introduced or when they appear in decodable books. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to point out when sight words do not follow phonics rules.
Parents will need to invest time in teaching their children, as Wild Reading requires more parent/caregiver involvement than other programs, typically 30-40 minutes a day. However, many families find this time highly enriching, and the results of having a child who know how to read are worth it. These activities can be led by parents, babysitters, and even older siblings.
One parent expressed concern in a review about children throwing the rocks used to write letters, which may be a concern for parents with younger children who like to throw rocks at their siblings, but we’re skeptical that Wild Reading was the origin of this problem. Overall, Wild Reading is an enriching program that can be tailored to fit most family's needs.
The Science of Reading
“Kids are not being taught how to read because for decades teachers have been sold an idea about reading and how children learn to do it,” Emily Hanford (Sold a Story)
The science of reading conceptual models emphasize the importance of explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. These practices are supported by evidence and are effective in helping students learn to read.
Balanced literacy (the reading approach most frequently taught in schools) is an approach to reading instruction that seeks to incorporate multiple methods and strategies, including both phonics and whole language approaches. However, some advocates of balanced literacy may not have a deep understanding of the research on reading instruction, and may not be implementing evidence-based practices in their teaching. Teaching reading strategies that rely on guessing at words or using picture clues is not supported by the research and can actually be detrimental to students' reading development. Similarly, promoting leveled readers without regard for their content or level of difficulty can be problematic and may not provide the appropriate level of challenge for students.
The science of reading is more complex than teaching phonics. It involves explicit instruction, multi-sensory approaches, and the deliberate sequencing of sounds and other key approaches that have been proven to help children learn to decode words. What’s critical to know is the main conclusions from this extensive body of research have not yet been integrated into the curriculum in most skills, despite the evidence.
Cognitive and neuroscientists have over forty-plus years of research that enabled various science of reading conceptual models. It takes a deep understanding that balanced literacy folks have misunderstood attempting to be apart of the in-crowd. Adding science of reading conceptual models as updates to a curriculum, promoting students to read leveled readers, teaching reading strategies that have students guessing at words and referring to picture clues contradict the research.
Families interested in learning more about the science of reading can listen to the fascinating podcast, “Sold a Story,” watch this video from Nessy or explore some of the resources at the end of this post.
Sold a Story host, Emily Hanford has also published an excellent list of her favorite books on the science of reading here.
When to start teaching kids to read
Is learning to read earlier better? It’s important to keep in mind that children become developmentally ready to start learning to read at very different ages. In fact, in Finland, widely considered the best education system in the world, many kids don’t even start reading until age 7. Reading readiness depends on the child. For most children, this is usually around the age of 6 or 7. This gives children time develop the language and study skills critical to success. Starting too early could hurt a child’s confidence and make learning harder down the road.
One 2006 kindergarten study in the US showed there was improvement in test scores for children who delayed entry by one year.
Other research comparing early versus late readers, found that later readers catch up to comparable levels later on – even slightly surpassing the early readers in comprehension abilities.
If kids are recognizing sounds and letters, and show interest and eagerness in learning to read, then by all means teach them! If they’re younger than six and express frustration and reluctance to reading, it’s recommended to wait.
A positive early reading experience can instill a lifelong love of learning, whereas a negative one might create an aversion to reading and education that can be hard to overcome. Remember, what’s important is that they learn to read, not that they learn to read early. If you wait until they’re ready, they’ll learn more quickly and enjoy the process.
The best way to start preparing your child to read is to read stories to them. It’s not enough for children to learn to decode text via phonics and letter recognition. They also must have context for why they’re learning to read and how to put those skills to use.
Sebastian Suggate, of the University of Regensburg in Germany, shows that learning later allows children to more efficiently match their knowledge of the world – their comprehension – to the words they learn. "It makes sense," he says. "Reading comprehension is language, they've got to unlock the ideas behind it."
One of the best ways to help your child learn to read is to read with them, so keep that in mind as you explore these options.
As a rule of thumb, if your child shows interest and willingness to learn how to read, then by all means teach them! If they’re under 6 and put up a big fight, or show resistance, it’s advisable to wait until they’re ready. Rushing now won’t help them later as most readers’ skills balance out regardless of when they started.
Reading by Osmosis: Can kids teach themselves to read?
While most children need explicit instruction to learn how to read, 1% of children do teach themselves to read at a very early age. They are often referred to as “precocious readers” or hyperlexic. These children aren’t merely reciting books they’ve memorized, but have learned to decode, primarily on their own, with minimal instruction.
Children who are exposed to a print-rich environment, including books, magazines, and signs, from an early age are more likely to develop emergent literacy skills. In addition, children who are read to frequently by parents or caregivers are more likely to develop strong emergent literacy skills.
Emergent literacy is the development of skills and knowledge that precedes conventional forms of reading and writing. It includes skills such as understanding the connection between written and spoken language, recognizing letters and their sounds, and understanding that print carries meaning.
When a child is able to identify the sounds and letters in words and begin to decode them, it can be a powerful motivator for them to continue to learn how to read. Some children may also have a natural curiosity and interest in reading that drives them to teach themselves.
While emergent literacy can be a positive step towards learning to read, it's important to note that most children still require explicit instruction in phonics and other reading strategies to become proficient readers. The science of reading has shown that systematic phonics instruction is the most effective method for teaching most children how to read.
Why use a reading curriculum at home with kids
Many families will find that teaching their child to read is one of the most gratifying activities they do together. Not only is it magical to see your child learn a new skill, but reading also empowers children with knowledge and opens up a world of possibilities. As stated by the National Institute for Literacy, "Reading is the foundation for all learning."
The biological imperative to teach
According to evolutionary psychologist David Geary, "Our capacity for transmitting cultural knowledge and skills is an essential part of human nature, which has been critical for our species' success throughout our evolutionary history" (Geary, 2005).
In a study published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology, researchers found that teaching and mentoring behavior is deeply ingrained in human nature, and it is an essential aspect of cooperation and socialization. The study suggests that humans have evolved to be cooperative and to teach and pass on knowledge to the next generation as a way of ensuring the survival and success of the species (Laland & Brown, 2006).
Bonding
The bond between a parent and child is also evolutionarily significant. The attachment between parent and child is believed to have evolved as a way of ensuring the survival and well-being of offspring. Teaching your child to read is not only a way of passing on knowledge but also a way of strengthening the parent-child bond, which can have positive long-term effects on both the parent and the child's emotional and social development.
Getting a head start
According to research, early exposure to language and literacy experiences is critical for future reading success. The earlier a child is introduced to reading, the more likely they are to develop strong reading skills. This may take the form of reading story books, or explicit instruction if they’re ready for it.
1-1 instruction
At Modulo, we talk a lot about the efficiency of 1-1 mastery learning, especially for math and literacy. One-on-one instruction has been shown to be more effective for teaching reading than group instruction. Bloom’s Two Sigma problem showed that students who received tutoring achieved outcomes that were two standard deviations, or "2 sigma," above the average outcome for students in a traditional classroom setting. This is because it allows instructors (who can be parents and caregivers) to differentiate learning and allow students to learn at their own pace.
Unique knowledge of parents and caregivers
As a parent or primary caregiver, you know your child well and can differentiate their learning, catering to their individual needs and helping them succeed.
Most schools don’t teach according to the science of reading
The reason why most schools don't teach according to the science of reading is because of a historical pendulum swing in educational philosophy that favored a "whole language" approach to reading instruction. In the early 20th century, there was a strong emphasis on phonics instruction in reading, which focused on teaching children to sound out words by decoding individual letter sounds. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, a new philosophy called "whole language" emerged, which prioritized the meaning and context of texts over explicit instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness. This approach prioritizes context and meaning over explicit instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness. However, research has shown that explicit instruction in these skills is essential for reading success. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to prioritize evidence-based reading instruction in schools. The federal government has funded research into the science of reading and established guidelines for effective reading instruction. States and school districts are also beginning to adopt evidence-based reading practices, and teacher preparation programs are starting to emphasize the importance of explicit phonics instruction. However, there is still a long way to go, and it will take time and effort to shift the educational landscape to prioritize evidence-based reading instruction.
About your guide
Manisha Snoyer is the CEO and founder of Modulo. Over the last 20 years, she’s taught over 2000 children PreK-12th grade in 3 countries in public, private, homeschool and afterschool environments with a wide range of learning abilities and preferences. In addition to Modulo, Manisha organized the largest coalition effort of tech and non-profits helping families impacted by school closures (schoolclosures.org), a non-profit to provide free online tutoring to K12 students in math (masteryhour.org) and CottageClass, the first platform to help teachers start microschools in 2015. In her free time, she enjoys meeting new friends in coffee shops around the world, hiking and tasting tea and chocolate. As a child, Manisha loved spending long hours with her mom as she read Little House on the Prairie or the Wizard of Oz series. Manisha remembers learning to read herself as a very painful and unpleasant experience, but since she learned, it’s been her greatest delight - and she’s had her nose buried in a book ever since.
Sources
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Laland, K. N., & Brown, G. R. (2006). Niche construction, human behavior, and the adaptive-lag hypothesis. Evolutionary Psychology, 4, 136-153. doi: 10.1177/147470490600400117
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Strong, R. (2013, October 19). “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” - it’s an inspiring quote, but did WB Yeats say it? The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/education-is-not-the-filling-of-a-pail-but-the-lighting-of-a-fire-it-s-an-inspiring-quote-but-did-wb-yeats-say-it-1.1560192
Resources
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Reading List from Sold a Story
Videos and Supplemental Materials for Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Does Wild Reading require a greater maturity level than Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons? You said 5-7 and Engelmann is 3 and up. Not sure if that was a mistake or if it is only for older kids.