Anyone using or used this? I have an almost 5 year old who loves books so I'd like to get her going on reading before Kindergarten if I can.
Thanks!!
Hukd on fonix werkd 4 me.
English isn't a phonetic language (like japanese, for example, which is). In edu circles there are 2 truths about language programs: Your Baby Can Read DOESN'T work, and Hooked on Phonics works great with some kids and causes massive delays and confusion in others.
For a free (and utterly amazing program that is both phonetic and rule based...and free) check out www.starfall.com
Its wonderful and we used it in an elementary school I worked at. My aunt is a 1st grade teacher and used it in her classroom when phonics were taken out of the curriculum...they brought it back and she says its a great tool
We used the Phonics Game (from the makers of Hooked on Phonics). I had one child that was struggling to read, and one that was just starting to get interested. After playing the game a handful of times they were both reading very well. Totally worth it!
My daughter is the same way. I really considered using Hooked on Phonics, but then I saw that it was $40 and it came with a bunch of DVDs that I didn't want. Anyway, I looked around a lot and found a couple of great items that my daughter loves and we have fun with.
Barnes and Noble has a book called Now I'm Reading-Animal Antics by Nora Gaydos. It has 10 books in it with great pictures and is a super easy read.
Ex: A cat. A tan cat. A fat tan cat. and so on. My daughter loves reading them to me.
The other thing I bought was from Mardels and is a workbook titled Book 1 Phonics by Teacher Created Resources. I looked through several phonics workbooks and this one looked like the best one to me.
Good luck!
