reading curriculum question

[Tyleah]

I am just totally stressed over trying to figure out which reading/spelling/writing/ language arts curriculum would be a good one for my child. (He is 5 and not reading). I have poured over reviews and feel more confused than ever.

I am wondering if anyone can recommend a curriculum that fits a learner who is very physically active, enjoys music yet doesn't want to repeat songs, loves games, needs to see results fast, and has short attention span (15-20 minutes), prefers to use speech rather than writing (invented spelling or drawings) to express himself.

I think he needs phonics, but not the ladder approach (ba, bo, be, bi), but rather the whole word approach (bat, bet, bit, etc.. ). He needs to see that he has actually read a real word to feel the accomplishment of the task.

We do so much with literacy now, reading daily for loads of reasons - research topics of interest, follow directions for projects, write thank you's, read mail, etc... But none of these has resulted in him really picking it up. He does write letters on paper and bring them to me to pronounce. He thinks it is hillarious how crazy his words sound! He doesn't have a real strong desire right now, so I want to just introduce activities lightly to see if it sparks an interest.

Has anyone used Happy Phonics? It is games based.

Appreciate any feedback people can give!

[white_feather]

Well, this is one of those questions where you're likely to get a different answer from each person you ask.

I'd offer that a 5 y/o doesn't need to read, and that you are doing plenty to pique his interest already. I'd continue to read to him, and do all those other things . . . but developmentally, most children aren't ready to truly read until they reach the age of concrete thinking -- around 7 or so.

If you wait until he expresses true interest, and let him lead the way, you'll find that he will learn faster, and with more enthusiasm, than if you push it too early. In fact, research shows that when children are pushed to read too early, it can backfire later with regression in reading skills, and even apathy.

I'd recommend picking up a copy of Learning All the Time by John Holt.

All this said, my 5 y/o has a thing for Reader Rabbit . . .

[Lillian J]

Sounds to me like you're doing more than enough to provide an environment in which he'll learn what he needs to know when he's ready. Five is awfully young to be worrying about any of this, and all my friends who are parents of successful young adult homeschool grads would be nodding heartily if they were here. He could learn at age eight (or even older) and still not be "behind" by the time any of it matters. The last thing you need to do is feel stressed over a five year old not reading yet. There's no race, and he seems to instintively know that. As the song goes, "Don't worry - Be happy" - because it sounds as if you have a great kid with a lot of humor and enthusiasm, and he doesn't need to read anytime soon, but will proably love it when the time comes. Enjoy! Lillian

[Linda on the move]

I feel strongly that 5 is too young for reading instruction.

Unless your child is begging for reading lessons, don't do it. Reading will be much easier when he is a little older, and any experience he has now that is difficult or frustrating will just make it more emotionally difficult when he really is developmentally ready to read.

[txhsmom]

My daughter is a kinesthetic learner as well

My daughter is also a kinesthetic learner and it can be hard to find curriculum that matches her learning style. I have tried several different phonics programs. I have heard good things about Happy Phonics so that is an option. Other programs to look into would be:

Sing Spell Read and Write http://www.pearsonlearning.com/singspell/
Go phonics http://www.gophonics.com/
Hooked on Phonics http://www.hop.com/
Rocket Phonics http://www.rocketphonics.com/
Astronauts to Zippers http://www.astronautstozippers.com/
McRuffy Phonics http://www.mcruffy.com/Phonicsinfo.htm
Alphabet Island Phonics http://www.eagleswingsed.com/products/ai1.html
Scaredy Cat Reading System http://www.joyceherzog.com/scaredy.html

Check out the Starfall website for free phonics games and activities http://www.starfall.com
Also headsprout has free phonics programs that you can download at http://www.headsprout.com

My daughter is 7 and I decided to start from scratch with her phonics this year. She can read most simple reader books but she struggles with speed and fluency and isn't interested in reading longer books. She also has trouble figuring out how to sound out words. I know a lot of people suggest to wait to teach reading until the child is older but I would suggest you go ahead and get started. If you encounter any resistance in your child to learning how to read/phonics then just back off for a while and slow down. I regret not purchasing a really solid phonics program last year. I discovered that scripted lessons without games, music or activities would not work for my daughter. We used Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading but this year we are going to try McRuffy Phonics instead. It includes spelling, phonics, grammar and handwriting all in one! Since my daughter doesn't have much patience for long lessons this is perfect for her learning style.

Anyway, for a kinesthetic learner I would suggest something that has short lessons, possibly involves moving around, games, and/or music. Skip workbooks such as Explode the Code because a kinesthetic learner won't have the patience to sit and fill out the sheets. Also, if you have a visual learner (like my daughter) she loves drawing on the white board in different colors and she seems to retain information better when I write words on the board.

By the way, check your local library because ours has Hooked on Phonics. Your library may have other phonics programs. Also ebay has a lot of used phonics programs such as HOP, Sing Spell Read and Write, etc.

Email me if you need more information about anything and good luck!

Pam

[Lisa Lubner]

both of my older kids have really enjoyed the DVD's from leapfrog... "letter factory" and "talking words factory". my son all on his own decided he wanted to write the letters as they were doing them in the video, and he learned all his letter sounds that way. he also like the HWT stuff, the chalkboard and the wooden (well, foam) pieces to make the letters. then when he expressed an interest, we got the bob books series. they're short and funny, and now hes started trying to spell other words to give titles to his artwork.

just go with it and have fun! oh, and starfall.com is a lot of fun too!