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Teach Your Child To Read *Giveaway*

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This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Sandra. Congrats!

Some days, when I’m reading to my son, I think that I could do it…I think that I could home school.  No preschool is going to give him the one-on-one attention that I can.  In just two short years, my little boy is having full conversations with us, knows his alphabet, and can spell dog.  As a mom, I want to do everything I can to foster his growth and development in all areas.  One of the most important things I can do for my son is to teach him to read before he enters kindergarten.

I grew up hearing about Hooked On Phonics.  I even remember the commercials with children stating, “Hooked On Phonics worked for me!”  So, I had to check it out for myself.  I had been perusing the internet, looking for a reputable program I could do at home with my son.  Hooked On Phonics offers a new Learn to Read program which gives children a strong foundation in phonics and reading readiness skills.  The program focuses on helping children learn letter names, letter sounds, uppercase letters, lowercase letters and blending sounds…all of the phonemic basics for learning to read.  Here is a bit more information from the site:

Designed in conjunction with leading educators, award-winning authors, teachers and parents, the new Hooked On Phonics Learn to Read gives children the fundamentals to become confident readers. The instructional approach and techniques used in this program are based on research and address each stage of the child’s reading development. Hooked On Phonics Learn to Read systematically builds from introducing letters to sounds, then to words and sentences, incorporating more complex sounds and blends with each step.

Apart from the fact that the program’s principles are well-researched,  my son enjoys it, which is extremely important.  The best program available won’t work if my son won’t participate.  Every day for the past two weeks, my son asks me to work with him on his “lesson.”  A “lesson” incorporates a variety of activities to reinforce a particular concept (in our case, the letters). The suggested time frame for completing each lesson is approximately 20 minutes (but it usually only takes us about 15).  Each day focuses on a letter (starting with A) and includes activities designed to help children understand the shape of the letter.  We then practice saying words that start with that letter and my son traces the letter with his fingers. A variety of senses are used, which I appreciate, since children learn in a multitude of ways.  Engaging multiple senses increases the likelihood that a child will retain the concepts being learned.  The lesson also includes a video clip, a story, flash card review, and online content to practice and reinforce the skills he just learned.  At the end of the lesson, we celebrate with a sticker.  My son’s favorite part of the lesson (besides the end where we get a sticker), is the online component.

My son is 33 months (just 3 months shy of 3) and the recommended age to begin this program is 3.  However, my son has always been developmentally advanced for his age.  He came into this program with a knowledge of the entire alphabet.  He knows his “ABCs” and can recognize all 26 letters on most occasions.  So in a sense, some of the aspects of this lesson are too easy for him, while others are definitely appropriate for where he’s at right now.  For example, right now he knows that a is for apple and b makes a “bah” sound.  But we’re working on rhyming (which he doesn’t really grasp at this point).  Here is a summary of what was included in the Learn to Read, Pre K version:

6 original storybooks written to promote the skills your child learns in the program, including 2 books by the award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, David McPhail
2 workbooks that will guide you and your child through all of the lessons and many fun activities
2 DVDs filled with music videos and fun introductions to each lesson, where letters come to life
Quick Start Guide
2 sets of stickers to proudly display in the workbooks and celebrate reading success
4 sets of letter and picture flash cards designed to reinforce letter names and letter sounds

Hooked On Phonics is a program that offers parents the tools to help their children learn to read.  It’s easy, fun, and effective.  My son has enjoyed reading since he was a baby.  Teaching him to read is a natural progression of our time spent reading.

The Pre-K version is suitable for children ages 3-4 and the program retails for $59.95.

You can keep up with Hooked On Phonics on Twitter, Facebook, or their blog.

Win It! One of you will win a Hooked On Phonics Learn to Read Program in the grade of your choice.  Simply visit the site.  Then come back and tell me what you learned and what grade level you’d choose.  Comments will close on March 25, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review and giveaway.

Caryn Bailey
Latest posts by Caryn Bailey (see all)

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142 Responses to Teach Your Child To Read *Giveaway*

  3. I would choose the Learn to Read, Kindergarten – Second Grade.

    I learned that this system starts out at a base level. Throughout the process, it keeps adding more and more. Letting them grow as a reader. I like how the kids will gain confidence as they learn more and more! Having your kids read is very exciting!! It’s such an important step in there lives! I think this would give me the tools to teach them even more!!!

    Kim xoxox

    Reply

  4. I learned that each lesson is designed to take less than 20 minutes but is flexible enough to accommodate your child’s individual learning style.

    I would love to win the 2nd grade program.

    Reply

  9. I learned that the children learn by playing FUN games or reading books that incorporate, apply and reinforce desired skills, concepts and knowledge … and these are done until these skills, concepts and knowledge are MASTERED. This allows childrent to learn at their own pace.

    If I won, I’d like the Kindergarten: 5-6 yrs

    Reply

  11. I would get the Pre-K version for my daughter, who just turned three recently. I really like that the program uses multiple learning aids. I am a visual learner, but we are still watching to see how my daughter learns best. With this program we will have all bases covered! Perfect.

    Reply

  14. I TRIED to vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar– link didn’t work. Worth an entry? lol

    Reply

  17. I like thw Kindergarten level and I learned that your child needs to know the alphabet to use this level

    Reply

  22. I would definitely get the pre-k version. When I thought Samantha her ABC’s, numbers, letters it was easy. She caught on quickly and was completely ready for kindergarten by the age of 4, and now in 1st grade is reading at a level 28 which is what kids should be at in 3rd grade! So I thought it would be just as easy with Sarah.. nope! She is one stubborn little girl. I think that H.O.P. would be perfect for us since she is starting kinder this fall and were really struggling with her ABC’s.

    Reply

  24. I leanred that the key to learning to read is learning the sounds that make up the words. I would choose the Pre-K version.

    Reply

  26. Lessons are designed to take less than 20 minutes. I would want the toddler edition

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  28. I learned that they also have a learn to type program which would be great for everybody at my house! If I won I would probably choose the grade 2 program.

    Reply

  30. The program is designed to turn the complex cognitive task of learning to read into an exciting and motivating experience.I’d like 1st grade.

    Reply

  31. I found out that learning phonics in the pre-k years will help you be a better reader in the school age years. I would choose the Pre-K 3-4 year old age group.

    Reply

  32. LEARNED: If your child is between the ages of 3 and 8 and reading below a 3rd grade reading level, he should be ready to use this program, either to get ahead in his learning or to improve his reading skills. And I’d love the Toddler one!

    Reply

  34. I’d love the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read – Kindergarten-Second Grade formy son! Thanks for the chance.

    Reply

  45. i learned that Hooked on Phonics content is “based on current research about how children learn best”. I would choose the Pre-K set.

    Reply

  47. Pre-K for us.

    The programs build systematically from letters to sounds, then to words and sentences, and ultimately to reading fluency.

    Reply

  56. I’d like the pre-K and I discovered the toddler pack is on sale for 19.95!!
    silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  68. I learned their basic approach. which abbreviated is learn, practice play. Sounds well-foumded. I woud pick pre-K for my granddaughter.

    Reply

  69. I learned that Phonics works because it is developed my leading educators and tested on children.

    member (dot) thao (at) gmail.com

    Reply

  75. i learned that the lessons aren’t very long, which is a good thing! i would choose the pre-k one

    Reply

  83. I would choose a Pre K reading program. I learned that there is a learning arc. “Children learn to read at different stages of their development. As a result, the Learn to Read program is broken up into an educational arc that addresses each stage of the child’s reading development”

    Reply

  106. welll i learned that your child does not need to know the alphabet before using the prgram..the program will teach it.
    oo and i would get the baby to 18 months!!!! my daughter looves when I read books to her so this would be greaaaat!

    Reply

  109. I learned about how the program can be effective for homeschooling, which is what I plan to do. I have a one year old and a two year old, so I would select the toddler program for ages 18-36 months.
    melsweeps775 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  110. I would choose 1st grade, which covers beginning and ending consonant digraphs and blends, two-syllable words, and words ending with -ing, -er, -ly, -es, and -ed.

    Reply

  114. My son doesn’t talk but he knows the letter sounds! (Go figure) I love that they include online games now – my son loves games! I would get the K version!

    Reply

  119. If possible, I would choose the Discover Reading Baby Edition Premium and I learned that it installs a love of reading early on

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  131. I learned that whether you are new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran, the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read gives children the fundamentals to become confident readers.
    I would choose pre-k

    Reply

  132. I have three in kindergarten (yes, three!). So, I’d pick the kindergarten one for my children.

    THANK YOU!!

    Reply

  133. The program is designed to turn the complex cognitive task of learning to read into an exciting and motivating experience.

    1st grade

    Reply

  135. I learned that it makes learning fun. After all, reading is FUNdemental! I would like the PreK version!

    Reply

  136. I learned that: ”

    More and more families are making the decision to homeschool their children as an alternative to public or private schools. The National Center for Educational Statistics estimates that in 2007 over 1.5 million families were homeschooling, and that number continues to grow (see NHES report). If you are one of these parents or caregivers, Hooked on Phonics products are a powerful tool for education in a homeschool setting. ”

    If I won I would chhose the 1st grade program.

    Reply

  138. The Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read program uses systematic instruction and multisensory materials to help children learn to read.

    I’d pick Discover Reading—Toddler Edition Premium

    Reply

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