Most parents agree that after potty training, the next biggest challenge we face is how to teach our child to read! Unless you’re a teacher (and most moms are not), you probably feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
While there are plenty of apps, reading curricula, and phonics programs (our faves are below), there are also some simple, gentle ways you can connect with your kids at home as you lay a foundation for reading:
- Read out loud daily with your child & ask questions to gauge their comprehension
- Play word games – here are some of our favorites
- Buy some classic letter magnets for the fridge & teach kids letters and letter sounds simultaneously
- Build their home library & encourage private “reading” time, even if they’re just looking at picture books
- Listen to audiobooks and story podcasts together
- Make regular trips to the public library (storytimes!) and local book store
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Looking for free homeschool curriculum, printable PDFs, and apps? Check these out!
ABC Mouse
Ask for learning app recommendations in any moms group, and you’ll receive glowing reports for ABC Mouse! Sure, we all try to limit screen time – but sometimes you just need something a little fun and engaging for a change of pace.
- Over 10,000 individual learning activities
- Over 850 lessons
- Tons of games for Reading, Math, Science, and Art
Try ABC Mouse for FREE for 30 days!
All About Reading
All About Reading is a favorite among veteran homeschool moms! Their pre-reading program is designed for preschoolers and kindergartners, but it’s also very adaptable to suit a variety of academic needs.
Curious if your student is ready to begin All About Reading – Pre-Reading?
Check out their readiness checklist here!
Readability
The #1 reading app for kids! Readability is proven to raise your child’s reading level in 90 days. Get your free trial here.
Reading Head Start
This program is ideal if you want to teach your child how to read before kindergarten. While it is perfectly normal (and your child is on-track developmentally!) for children not to take an interest in reading until age 7, many children are able and willing to learn sooner!
But where do you start? If you’re not a certified teacher (and most homeschooling moms are not), you may benefit from a pre-planned program.
Reading Head Start takes only 10-15 minutes a day, and delivers real results parents love. Plus, it’s built on a foundation of decoding and phonics – not just sight words – which increases literacy as your child ages.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
This book is a classic for a reason! Moms have been using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons for almost 40 years, and it has sold over 1 million copies.
The newest edition, fully revised, is a step-by-step phonics process that only takes 20 minutes per day!
Whether you’ve got a beginning reader or an older child who struggles, this book is a must-read.
Everything you need is here for you and your child to learn together. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons will bring you and your child a sense of accomplishment and confidence while giving your child the reading skills needed now for a successful future.
Reading Horizons
The Reading Horizons at-home program has been nominated as one of the “Best Homeschool Curriculum & Products on the Planet” by How to Homeschool, and it has an excellent track record helping the following:
- Struggling readers
- Readers with dyslexia
- Reading tutors
- Homeschooling parents
- English language learners
Watch your child’s confidence in reading grow! They offer a 30-day trial which gives you full access to the software with foundational phonics instruction, word decoding, and learning the most common irregular words. If you’re homeschooling a child with dyslexia, we highly recommend it!
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR 30-day TRIAL
Hooked on Phonics
Another decades-old program, Hooked on Phonics is a favorite among families. It’s affordable and super easy to do at home!
Parents and grandparents both sing the praises of Hooked on Phonics, stating how simple and unintimidating it is.
The bright color photos and fun readers make it a good first fit for preschoolers or an added boost for kinders who need more confidence.
If your older child already knows how to read but needs a little help, they’ve got multiple levels for elementary students.
Try your first month of Hooked on Phonics for just $1!
Learning Dynamics: 4 Weeks to Read
With 4.5 stars on Amazon, 4 Weeks to Read by Learning Dynamics has helped thousands of kids learn how to read. Backed by university research and boasting a 98% success rate, the 4 Weeks to Read program includes:
- A teacher’s manual with easy 1-page lessons
- 50+ interactive books for your reader
- Audio CDs
- Flash cards
Children Learning Reading
Created by a teacher, Children Learning to Read is designed specifically for parents who wish to teach their children how to read at home – whether as part of a homeschool curriculum or kindergarten prep.
What we love about this program is that it’s an instant digital download. You have access to it as soon as you purchase! You can also print the materials multiple times for use with multiple children.
- 32 step-by-step phonics lessons
- Flash cards
- Lesson printouts
- Videos for how to teach the lessons
- MP3 audio files of phonetic sounds
- Fun games to increase learning
Looking for Christian homeschool curriculum options? Here are some of our favorites:
Abeka | Full curriculum for K-12
Christianbook | The widest selection of homeschool curriculum on the internet!
Notgrass History | Elementary, Middle School & High School
Apologia Math & Science | Elementary, Middle School & High School
The Good & the Beautiful | Full Elementary & Middle School Curriculum, High School Language Arts
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[…] early elementary years require the most hands-on instruction time (especially when they’re learning how to read), but as kids grow they become more and more […]