When should we start reading/phonics?

[myfatherslily]

(My first post here!)
My 4 year old DD knows all the letter sounds (thanks to LeapFrog Letter Factory!) and is just beginning to sound out very simple words. Last week I made little flashcards with two letter words on them, to read 1-2 words/day (words like it, at, on, up...). She's been doing well and getting better each day (with each success). Once she does those smoothly, should I just go ahead and start a reading program? I am considering Phonics Pathways, MCP Plaid Phonics, or A Beka K5 phonics/reading/writing. I don't want to be pushy just cause I'M anxious to start! lol

We're currently doing:
Kumon Let's Cut Paper
Kumon More Let's Fold
Kumon Uppercase Letters (I have lowercase too)
Kumon Numbers 1-30
Developing the Early Learner

I have a little loose schedule that we follow so that we do two books/day, 4 days/week. So it's not as much work as it looks like:)

Anyway, what determines reading 'readiness' and what curriculum would you use for a 4 year old? OR would you wait another year?

[Blue Hen]

(My first post here!)
My 4 year old DD knows all the letter sounds (thanks to LeapFrog Letter Factory!) and is just beginning to sound out very simple words.

Knowing the letter sounds is great. Sounds like she is very ready to move forward.



Anyway, what determines reading 'readiness' and what curriculum would you use for a 4 year old? OR would you wait another year?

Since you asked I'll name my favorite; Reading Reflex. Great for a 4yo to use particularly since they do not have to write --- some programs have the kids writing to learn to read. And many libraries have it as one of their books.

Carole

[sarahv]

As soon as my four year old started to blend, I went right to two and three letter words. We are up to 50 words a day. He is ready to go the Bob books, just as soon as we move, and I unpack. :)

I wouldn't wait another year. If she's blending, she's already reading.

ETA: Of the programs you mentioned, I really like Phonics Pathways. I looked at it this summer, and wish I would have just broke down and bought it. :)

[Tonia]

My 4 year old DD knows all the letter sounds (thanks to LeapFrog Letter Factory!) and is just beginning to sound out very simple words. Last week I made little flashcards with two letter words on them, to read 1-2 words/day (words like it, at, on, up...). She's been doing well and getting better each day (with each success).

I would say she is ready for a reading program. Learning how to blend sounds together is the hardest part.

I am considering Phonics Pathways, MCP Plaid Phonics, or A Beka K5 phonics/reading/writing. Anyway, what determines reading 'readiness' and what curriculum would you use for a 4 year old??

I haven't used any of the programs you listed but I'll throw out another suggestion - Ordinary Parent's Guide. We use that and lots of games (I've got some ideas for reading games listed on my blog). It covers a lot of concepts but it is basic and black and white, if that matters to you.

[sagira]

My ds (4 going on 5) is also blending and has known his letters since he was 3.
I didn't want to push him, though. I wanted him to feel excited about it. I'm not using a phonics program (a gentle approach, Tanglewood Really Reading Program (http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/ReallyReading2.pdf) combined with Spectrum Phonics). I have a back-up plan too. In case he's not getting it I will switch to the aforementioned Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading.

So far just with my own ideas he's doing well, so I think we'll be fine.

Why not try the free download (Tanglewood's Really Reading)? Your dc may learn to read using this alone, then you can keep doing something else later if you wish :)

[mumtoo3]

we are using phonics pathways and love it i have tried so many different reading programmes but this by far the easiest and her favourite :D

[CMama]

I think that your dd is at the perfect age for phonics and I here that ABeka has a good phonics program. However, I suggest looking into Spell to Write and Read. I know there is someone here on the forum who uses Phonics Pathways w/SWR. You can find links to SWR from my blog (signature line below).

We're starting PreK/K4 in September w/SWR. My ds(4) knows letter recognition (upper and lowercase) as well as the 26 phonograms (letter sounds) of the alphabet. We'll be working on multi-letter phonograms and cursive w/large motor skills. You can find some good first readers from A Beka or BJUP (links to them on my blog as well, under Read Alouds).

Melissa

[myfatherslily]

Thank you for all the suggestions! The Tanglewood Really Reading Program looks good, especially for being free! I picked up the Original McGuffey's Eclectic Primer today from our church library, and she read most of the words to me (hen, top, hat, rat, cat, pot). I'm sure the big pictures helped:) But she was whispering the letter sounds to herself and then whispered them faster, then said the word, so it was still totally reading! Thanks again for the suggestions and for the encouragement to keep moving along:)