Has anyone tried Hooked on Phonics? If so did it work well for you? I have a 5 year old son (6 in April) who is only slightly behind in his reading, so I'd like to give him a little push. The commercials are convincing, but I am in Marketing myself, so I should know that is the goal of the commercial lol. So I'm just looking for some parents who've had real world experience with it.
I didnt try it but have heard great things about it .
We used the Leap Pad learning system and it was great.
Hi.
My 5 year old granddaughter uses the Hooked on Phonics. it really works. you have to actually work with the child, but after one session, you will see the light go on in his little head when he realizes he can read and sound words! good luck
I haven't tried Hooked on Phonics but we have tried Leap Frog Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory videos. There are three dvds in all. My son has learned so much from them. He is 4 years old and continually surprises me with his knowledge of phonics. I asked him the other day where he learned something and his response was "from my letter factory video." Hope this helps.
Phonics is always a good idea. Even if you just teach the basic sounds of the letters. It would also be a good idea to ask your teacher what method your school uses for teaching reading. Some schools only use whole word or sight word reading, which is the worst method since the child only learns to memorize words rather than sounds.
Hi! Could you elaborate on how a 5 year old can be behind on reading? My daughter will be 6 in April also and I couldn't imagine making that determination just yet and I am an educator.
As far as hooked on phonics goes, it certainly can be an effective tool if used properly. My advice to parents is to save your money and do a number of other things that are just as beneficial.
I have to go right now - I'll elaborate later.
I never tried it for my kids but they have it at my local library. It's a way to try it for 30 days before you buy it. You might want to see if any libraries in your area have it.
Hi C.,
I have the Hooked on Phonics Program. I would be happy to give it to. It was actully administered to my son while he was in pre-school by a reading teacher ( I paid for her to do the porgram and then I got to keep the kit). Actually, my daughter, who is now 7 enjoyed doing it more than he did. There is a great CDrom that comes with it. I think it's a good program. Hard to say how much it may have helped him, but you are welcome to mine if you would like. We could meet (I live in Smithtown) or I could mail it to you, which ever you prefer.
I have personally never tried it myself(my daughter is only two and not ready) but have gotten rave reviews from friends and plan on buying when my daughter gets older. The only advice I have been given is to educate yourself on how to use it extensively to get the best results and it is time consuming, so as long as you and your son can put in the time, all I can say is good for you!
At five I wouldnt worry. It MAY make him advance quicker or may not. Children have to be ready to read.It helps but it is not all that is needed. With the english language there are do many words that just need to be memorized. My daughter who I home schooled for exactly half of her 12 years frpm K-12 says of Hooked on Phonics "Huked on fonics werked fer me" THAT is the problem with Hooked on Phonics. It only will get so far and then it needs to be seriously amended. Basic phonic principles a good idea, but that you can do yourself with simple flash cards (thats all basically what Hooked on phomics is)
You can make phonic cards your self or I am sure buy them reasonably priced. "Education is power"
