Learn how to read

074. Homeschooling 101: The First 10 Steps

074. Homeschooling 101: The First 10 Steps

Thinking about homeschooling your kids but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve already decided, but you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed? You’re not alone! We’ve walked this path, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

In this episode, we’re sharing a step-by-step guide to help you confidently launch your homeschooling journey. It’s packed with tips, insights, and real-life advice to make homeschooling not only doable, but enjoyable for your whole family. Don’t forget to download your FREE Quick Start Homeschool Guide!

Episode 074:

TWO WAYS TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE:
1. Click PLAY Button Above ^^ to listen here.
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Are you just starting your homeschooling journey? We’re here to help! Begin with our Get Started in Homeschooling page and Homeschooling FAQ to make the transition smoother. If you’re guiding a young child, explore our How to Homeschool Kindergarten. to make those first steps special. For middle schoolers, don’t miss our Middle School page packed with tips and advice. And if you’re heading into the high school years, our Essential Steps to Homeschool High School will guide you every step of the way!

Show Notes

Have you been considering homeschooling your kids?  Maybe you already made the decision and you’re ready to get started but maybe still feeling a bit uncertain or overwhelmed by the idea? You are definitely not alone. We know that more and more families are finding themselves at this crossroads, especially now, with growing concerns about the dismantling of the Department of Education and the looming threat that school vouchers pose to our public school system.

We’ve been where you are and have successfully homeschooled five children between our two families. Our goal is to empower other families by giving back to the homeschool community that has helped us over the years. And today we are going to help you get started in homeschooling with practical steps and plenty of resources.

BTDT Homeschool Hosts

Click here to discover why Maria and Nicole chose homeschooling. Hear their journey, meet their families, and learn how homeschooling was the right chose for their families:

And just a reminder: through our podcast episodes, blog, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and tons of free printable tools we’ve created, our mission is simple: we want to equip you with everything you need to make homeschooling not only doable, but enjoyable for your entire family. For this episode, we’ve created two powerful resources to help you get started: our free Get Started in Homeschooling Quick Reference Sheet, and our brand-new Homeschooling for Beginners eBook—a step-by-step guide designed to keep you encouraged and help you build the homeschool experience your family deserves.

Homeschooling is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You have options when it comes to your child’s education, and homeschooling is one of the most flexible, empowering ones out there. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our episode, 10 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Homeschooling. It’s packed with insights from our own journey that might just help you feel a little more at ease.

Episode 020: 10 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Homeschooling

And a lot of people want to know about high school and college even if they are just starting out. Homeschooling through high school is not only doable, your teenagers can thrive. In fact, creating a personalized high school experience for each of our kids has been one of the coolest and rewarding parts of this journey. It’s not just about preparing them for college or the workforce—it’s about helping them discover who they are and what they love.

In our free High School Series, we help you map out a solid foundation that gives them the skills and confidence to succeed — in high school and beyond., whether they’re heading to a university, starting a career, or starting a business.

So many homeschoolers are entrepreneurs. I own my own business and we even created a teen entrepreneur episode in the high school series with a free business start up packet you can download for them. Homeschooling takes a fraction of the time as traditional school, and it leaves your kids so much time and opportunity to pursue their passions and learn who they are. 

10 steps to get started:

Step 1: Know Your State Laws

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states but each state has its own rules about how, what, and when to teach. It’s important to stay in compliance with your state’s regulations. Look Up Your State Law.

When learning your state law, just be sure you understand your state’s specific requirements. And remember: it’s okay to meet your child where they are. If they’ve struggled with certain concepts, go back and revisit them. Homeschooling gives you that flexibility.

Step 2: Withdraw from Your Current School

If your child is already enrolled in public or private school, you’ll need to formally withdraw them. This usually involves a withdrawal letter sent to the school administration. Sample Withdrawal Letter 1 and Sample Withdrawal Letter 2

Step 3: De-School

This one is big. After leaving a traditional school setting, be sure to give yourselves this time to decompress. This adjustment period is called Deschooling and it’s essential for a smooth transition. Use this time to reconnect with them and reset. Don’t skip it! We go into specific details about how to do this and provide you with guidance in our deschooling episode. So if you’re at this stage, be sure to check it out and download your free deschooling resources to make the time you spend deschooling successful.

Step 4: Don’t Rush into Curriculum

This is one of the most common missteps. Don’t feel like you need to buy a full curriculum right away. First, take time to figure out your Homeschool Philosophy. This means learning about how your child learns best, and how you enjoy teaching. Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like school at home.

Step 5: Start Learning (as the Parent!)

This is a learning journey for you, too. We’ve got a great list of the Top 10 Books Every Homeschooler Should Read. They’re full of insight and guidance. You’ll explore different homeschool styles like Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unschooling, Montessori, and others. This is going to help you to define what kind of Homeschool you’re going to create and discover how your kids learn best. You’ll start to see what resonates with your family.

Top 10 Books Every Homeschool Parent Should Read
Episode 043: Top 10 Books Every Homeschooler Should Read with FREE Companion Workbook!
Step 6: Connect with Your Community

Find your people. Whether it’s a local homeschool co-op, field trip group, or an online support circle, connecting with other homeschoolers is so important. And let’s just say it: the myth about homeschoolers not being socialized? Not true. In fact, we were often too social, and sometimes had to scale back just to get things done at home! Check out our Episode 047: Socialization Myths in Homeschooling for more on that.

Step 7: Gather Your Resources

Now’s the time to start looking into curriculum, supplies, field trip ideas, online classes, and tools that fit your family. Whether your child has learning differences or just wasn’t thriving in their school environment, or maybe you have a brand new preschooler and you’re just getting started. You totally can do this successfully!  Take a look at our Top 25 Homeschool Essentials page. We’ve even shared a peek inside our homeschool rooms over the years!

Check out the BTDT Homeschool Lesson Planner and Ultimate Organizer homeschool planning book to keep you on track

To help you stay organized, we created the BTDT Homeschool Lesson Planner and Ultimate Organizer homeschool planning book to keep you on track. I created a video walk-through so you can see exactly how it’s laid out to ensure it works for you and your family. I like everything to stay organized in my book, but you don’t have to buy that, we also have free planner templates you can download on the 25 essentials page. Using tools like these will help you lay out your weeks and help you stay organized.

Step 8: Create a Schedule and Rhythm

Every family’s schedule looks different. Build a routine that fits your lifestyle and priorities. Having a consistent rhythm helps bring peace and structure to your days. And remember, it’s okay to change things up as needed. Episode 009: Schedules, Routines, & Rhythms

Step 9: Homeschooling is a Family Affair

This impacts your whole household. Consider everyone’s needs. Especially if you have multiple ages at home. You’ll also want to find balance for yourself so you don’t burn out. We talk more about this in our Episode 046: 12 Ways to Balance Your Home and Homeschool. As a single mom, it is definitely one of my biggest challenges which is why I really wanted to do that episode. Getting your kids involved and helping has been a big part of my sanity, but also their growth. You can download our free chore charts and free meal planners to help keep your home running smoothly.

Step 10: Grow and Learn Together

Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not just a schooling method. You’ll all be learning, growing, and evolving as you go. Keep an open mind. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Be patient, give yourself grace, and enjoy the freedom that comes with adjusting your approach when needed. There’s no one right way to homeschool and that’s one of the best parts! Episode 018. What is a Homeschool Lifestyle?


Homeschooling can be a wonderful journey for your entire family. Embrace it. While the future of education might feel uncertain right now, you are NOT powerless. You have the love, the commitment, and the support to create something amazing for each one of your children. We’re here cheering you on every step of the way!

This Week’s Free Resources

073. Breaking Through the Reading Plateau

073. Breaking Through the Reading Plateau

Strategies for Fluency and Comprehension

Your child can read – Congratulations! But what comes next?
If your child is stuck in the slow, robotic stage of reading and you’re not sure how to move them toward true fluency and comprehension, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we’re talking about that all-too-common reading plateau that many homeschool families face. Tune in as we share practical, encouraging strategies to help your child gain confidence, read with expression, and actually enjoy the process!

Episode 073:

TWO WAYS TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE:
1. Click PLAY Button Above ^^ to listen here.
2. OR Listen on your favorite podcast platform:

Are you just starting your homeschooling journey? We’re here to help! Begin with our Get Started in Homeschooling page and Homeschooling FAQ to make the transition smoother. If you’re guiding a young child, explore our How to Homeschool Kindergarten. to make those first steps special. For middle schoolers, don’t miss our Middle School page packed with tips and advice. And if you’re heading into the high school years, our Essential Steps to Homeschool High School will guide you every step of the way!

Show Notes

Congratulations! Your child has finally cracked the code and can read—that’s such a huge accomplishment! But what’s the next step? Today, we’re talking about what to do when your child seems stuck in that mechanical, monotone phase of reading. If you’re wondering how to help them read with more expression and confidence, you’re not alone. Many homeschoolers face this challenge, and in today’s episode, we’re sharing simple, effective ways to help turn reading into full fluency.

Maybe your child can decode words but hasn’t quite made the leap to fluent, expressive reading, and you’re wondering how to help them embrace the joy of books. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place!

If you have a child who hasn’t quite reached this stage and is still learning to read, be sure to check out our earlier episode on teaching reading. It’s full of helpful strategies to support your child as they build a strong foundation in phonics and early literacy skills. Today’s episode builds on that groundwork, so if you’re still in those beginning stages, it’s worth going back and giving that one a listen first. 

Learn how to read
015. How Do You Teach Your Child To Read?
When is my child ready to read? What curriculum should I use? Can I teach reading with games? Tune in!

What is the Reading Plateau?

So, let’s start by defining what we’re talking about today: the reading plateau. It’s that in-between stage where your child technically knows how to read but hasn’t yet transitioned to fluent reading. You might notice they’re reading word by word, in a robotic tone, without much comprehension or enjoyment. This plateau is a totally normal part of learning to read. It happens because reading isn’t just one skill—it’s made up of many layers, like decoding, fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking. It takes time, patience, and a bit of intentional practice to move from simply sounding out words to really enjoying and understanding what’s on the page.

The good news? With the right strategies, you can help your child break through this stage and become a confident, thriving reader. Let’s dive into how to do that!

Build Fluency Through Repetition and Modeling

Fluency is the key to unlocking the next stage of reading. A fluent reader can read smoothly and with expression, making the text come alive. So to begin we’re going to list out three effective ways to build fluency:

  1. Repeated Reading:
    Revisit favorite books and stories. This repetition helps them build confidence and focus on reading smoothly instead of just decoding. Don’t underestimate the power of familiar books—they make reading feel easier and more enjoyable.
  2. Read Aloud Together:
    Take turns reading aloud with your child. When you read, model expressive, fluent reading. When it’s your child’s turn, encourage them to mimic your tone and pacing. This shared experience also strengthens your bond.
  3. Use Audiobooks:
    Pair an audiobook with a physical book. Your child can follow along while listening to a skilled narrator. This not only builds fluency but also shows how stories can come to life with proper pacing and expression.
Audiobooks
Download FREE Audiobooks!

Strengthen Comprehension Skills

Once fluency begins to improve, it’s time to focus on comprehension. Here are three steps to help your child understand and connect with what they’re reading:

  1. Ask Questions:
    While reading, pause to ask questions like, ‘What do you think will happen next?’ or ‘Why do you think the character made that choice?’ Open-ended questions help your child think critically about the story.
  2. Summarize and Retell:
    At the end of a chapter or passage, ask your child to summarize it in their own words. This helps them process the story and strengthens their memory and understanding.
  3. Make Connections:
    Encourage your child to connect the story to their own life, other books, or the world around them. For example, ‘Does this remind you of anything we’ve done?’ or ‘Have you read another book with a similar character?’ This step brings the story to life in a personal way.

Make Reading Fun and Joyful

Reading should feel like a treat, not a chore. If your child is stuck in the mechanics of reading, it’s crucial to make it fun again. Here’s how:

Introducing Rich Literature

Introducing rich literature to children offers countless benefits, from exposing them to beautiful language to fostering critical thinking and imagination. Here’s how to make it meaningful and manageable:

1. Start with Short Classics and Picture Books
Begin with accessible yet captivating stories like Charlotte’s Web or The Tale of Despereaux. Beautifully illustrated picture books, such as Where the Wild Things Are or Blueberries for Sal, are also excellent choices. These books introduce timeless themes and rich language in a way that feels approachable and engaging.

Books for New Readers
024. Favorite Books For New Readers
Finding the right book is essential to help to ignite young readers and set them up for a life-long love of literature. We will discuss branching into beginning chapter books and talk about great read-alouds they will love!

2. Discuss Themes and Ideas
After reading, try asking open-ended questions to help your child explore the story in a fun and thoughtful way. Questions like, “What do you think the character learned?” or “Would you have done the same thing? Why or why not?” can spark great conversations. These kinds of questions help kids connect with the story and start thinking more deeply about what they’ve read.

3. Encourage Creative Responses
Bring the story to life with creative activities:

  • Illustrate a favorite scene to strengthen comprehension.
  • Write a new ending to spark imagination.
  • Act out key moments to make the story more interactive.

Creative projects like these deepen engagement and make reading more of an immersive experience.

Anne of Green Gables is a favorite!

4. Read Aloud Above Their Level
Reading books aloud that are above your child’s independent reading level—like Anne of Green Gables or The Chronicles of Narnia—is a great way to expose them to more advanced vocabulary and rich storytelling. It builds their comprehension, sparks curiosity, and invites them into deeper, more meaningful stories. When you share great literature together, you’re not just reading—you’re planting the seeds for a lifelong love of books.

042. Favorite Books for Middle Schoolers
Learn strategies to ignite a love for reading for your middle schooler and tips to finding the perfect book to get them excited about literature. Get your FREE Reading Book Planner!

Tips for Reluctant Readers

Not every child falls in love with reading right away, and that’s okay. The key is to spark their interest and make reading feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. If you have a reluctant reader, here are some creative tips to help them engage with books in a way that feels fun and rewarding:

1. Use High-Interest Materials
If your child loves dinosaurs, grab a book about T-Rexes. If they’re into jokes, pick up a kid-friendly joke book. And yes—comic books, sports magazines, or even books about video games absolutely count as reading. My son was obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes, and those hilarious comic strips were a total turning point for him. They made reading feel fun and approachable, not overwhelming. Sometimes all it takes is finding that one thing that clicks.

This is the first book collection of the classic and beloved Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. This was one of the motivators for my then 4 year old to read fluently!

The goal is to meet your child where their interests are. When they see books as a way to explore what they already love, they’re more likely to pick one up.

2. Make Reading Playful
Sometimes reading can start to feel like a chore, so adding a little playfulness can make a big difference. Try turning it into a game:

  • Scavenger Hunts: write clues your child has to read in order to find hidden treasures around the house. It’s simple, exciting, and gives them a reason to read with purpose.
  • Reading Games: Turn reading into a challenge, like timing how many sentences they can read fluently in one minute, then letting them ‘beat their score.’ Or you can play a game like our our favorite -Apples to Apples, where your child needs to read, but it’s a game and fun and takes the pressure off. 
  • Story Challenges: Try asking your child to guess what might happen next in the story—or better yet, encourage them to create their own ending! One game my kids absolutely loved was Storymatic. It gives fun prompts that help spark their imagination and get those creative juices flowing. When reading turns into a game, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like something they want to do.
The Storymatic Kids offers fun and engaging writing prompts and games designed to inspire creativity and laughter

3. Go Beyond Books
and just like those games, not all reading has to come from traditional books. Look for opportunities in the world around you:

  • Read menus at restaurants together.
  • Explore a favorite recipe and let your child read the steps.
  • Look for signs or instructions while running errands.

These everyday moments can help reluctant readers see that reading is practical, fun, and all around them.

4. Let Them ‘Read’ to Someone Else
Reading aloud doesn’t have to be just with parents—pets, stuffed animals, or even younger siblings can make the perfect audience! Some libraries even offer programs where kids can cuddle up and read to a therapy dog, which is such a sweet, low-pressure way to practice. Having a ‘listener’ helps take the focus off perfection and builds both confidence and fluency. And if your child loves to be creative, turn reading time into a mini performance! Encourage them to use funny voices, add gestures, or act out the story—it makes reading feel like play.

5. Rotate Their Book Selection
If your child feels bored with their current books, it might be time for a refresh. Rotating books or heading to the library to explore new ones. This can reignite their curiosity. Let them take the lead in choosing what looks interesting. Sometimes a book’s cover art or an intriguing title is enough to capture their attention.

6. Focus on Humor
Laughter can be a powerful motivator for reluctant readers. Funny books like Geronimo Stilton, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, joke books, or silly poetry by authors like Shel Silverstein can really grab their attention. When kids discover that reading can actually make them laugh out loud, it shifts their perspective—and suddenly, picking up a book feels a lot more fun.

A Light in the Attic
Shel Silverstein’s poetry is clever, loved by all ages, and is accompanied by beautiful and often funny images.This is a favorite in our home! When you read this book to your child, you’ll belly laugh.

7. Encourage Ownership Over Books
Sometimes kids connect more with books when they feel a sense of ownership. Help your child create their own mini-library by organizing their favorite books in a special spot. Let them decorate a bookshelf or write their name inside the front cover. This simple step makes books feel more personal and gives them a sense of pride in their growing collection.

Remember, every child’s journey to becoming a confident, expressive reader looks a little different. It’s not about pushing—it’s about sparking curiosity and creating joyful, positive experiences with books. Be patient and trust the process. With a little support and the right approach, even the most reluctant reader can discover that books are full of adventure, imagination, and endless possibilities.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Remember that reading is a journey, not a race. Every child progresses at their own pace, and it’s our job as homeschool parents to guide them with patience and encouragement. Breaking through the reading plateau can feel daunting, but with some of these strategies, you can help your child move from mechanical reading to a lifelong love of literature!

This Week’s Free Resources

015. How Do You Teach Your Child To Read?

Learn how to read

How Do You Teach Your Child To Read?

Listen to This Episode 015:

Scroll Down for this week’s FREEBIE!
Reading Log and Tracker with Book Rating (pdf)

Are you just starting your homeschooling journey? We’re here to help! Begin with our Get Started in Homeschooling page and Homeschooling FAQ to make the transition smoother. If you’re guiding a young child, explore our How to Homeschool Kindergarten. to make those first steps special. For middle schoolers, don’t miss our Middle School page packed with tips and advice. And if you’re heading into the high school years, our Essential Steps to Homeschool High School will guide you every step of the way!

Show Notes:

Reading is necessary for learning and instilling a love of reading at an early age is the key that can unlock the door to lifelong learning. It’s the foundation that helps us learn and make sense of the world around us. Reading builds social and emotional skills and ignites imagination. Reading builds self-confidence, independence, and is a critical foundation for developing logic and problem-solving skills.  

Learning to read

Reading Readiness

Is my child ready to read?

One of the biggest factors and obstacles in teaching a child to read is their pre-reading skills and reading readiness. These skills are essential for reading development. Trying to teach a child who has not demonstrated a grasp of these skills and is not ready for the next step can lead to frustration and anxiety for both you and your child. It is also not developmentally appropriate. A child who is ready to start learning to read will be much easier to teach than one who is not, and sometimes it can be difficult to determine readiness.

Even the best reading program cannot instill an interest in reading. So, what are some of the pre-reading skills that are essential for reading readiness? Many of these skills will naturally and organically develop during the toddler and pre-K years. If you have a preschooler, be sure to check out our Preschool Page with free Routine Charts

Essential Pre-Reading Skills

  • Rhyming: Rhyming is one of the first indicators of reading readiness because much of phonics instruction involves manipulating language, which is closely related to writing.
  • Matching/Sorting Items, Colors, and Shapes: Children love to organize and sort things, so it’s great to include these activities in daily life and normal conversations. While there are plenty of toys you can buy for this, you can also use items around your house like kitchen containers, plastic plates, Tupperware with lids, socks, shoes, or even setting the table with colored cups and plates.
  • Motor Skills: Developing motor skills is crucial. Activities like holding a pencil and drawing large shapes, making letters with a finger in a cake pan filled with rice, using a stick to write in the dirt, or using sidewalk chalk are all beneficial. Creating letter shapes with dough is another fun option. Remember, there are no rules that dictate you must use pencil and paper; these activities still teach the necessary skills.
  • Book/Print Awareness: Your child should know how to handle a book properly. This means that when offered a book, they can find the cover and hold it right-side-up. They should understand that books are read from left to right and that we turn one page at a time. This knowledge often comes naturally from cuddling up on the couch while you read to them.
  • Language Skills: Your child should be able to join in conversations and enjoy telling or retelling stories. Making up stories during pretend play or pretending to “read” a favorite book they’ve heard many times are also signs of readiness.

Signs of Reading Readiness

  • Hearing Parts of Words: Your child can hear parts of words (like syllables) and sounds in words (like /c/ /a/ /t/ in cat). Phonological awareness (such as clapping and counting syllables) and phonemic awareness (like hearing each sound in a word) are essential for when they begin to look at letters and sound out words.
  • Understanding Text Has Meaning: Your child understands that text has meaning and that the purpose of reading is to gain information. For example, if a child sees his name written out, he understands that name refers to him, not anything else.
  • Reciting the Alphabet: Whether it’s singing the ABC song or just saying each letter from memory, knowing the alphabet is an important step toward reading readiness.
  • Identifying Letters: Your child can identify and name some or all uppercase and lowercase letters. This is important because individual letters make up words to be read and written. They don’t need to know all of them but should see the differences.
  • Letter-Sound Correspondence: Your child can correspond some or all letters to their correct sounds. This skill is necessary for decoding, which is the act of sounding out words.
  • Echoing Simple Text: Your child can echo a simple text that is read to them, demonstrating an understanding of one-to-one correspondence in reading. This means that each word on a page corresponds to a word that is read.
Learning Letters

There is a very broad range of when a child learns to read, and it can be just as normal for a 4-year-old to be ready as it is for a child not to be ready until age 8. There is nothing wrong with listening and watching your child and determining the best pathway to take.  All children are different, and this is one of those great homeschooling benefits where you can go at your own pace and tailor this to your child and meet them where they are.

Other Developmental Signs

  • Social Development: Social development is important for reading because children need to know how to take turns, cooperate, and develop self-control before learning to read. Much of reading instruction involves activities and discussions where these skills are essential.
  • Emotional Development: Before learning to read, children need to have a good self-concept and an understanding of how they fit into their world.
  • Physical Development: Children need to have strong bodies that can support sitting, as this is often the preferred position for reading a book. They also need to have the fine motor skills necessary for writing and turning pages.
  • Cognitive Development: For reading readiness, children need to have the cognitive ability to visually and auditorily discriminate between letter shapes and sounds. Visual discrimination involves recognizing similarities and differences among letters, such as distinguishing between L and T, a and o, or 6 and 9. Auditory discrimination means that a child can hear the difference between sounds like /f/ and /v/, or the ending sounds in words like ‘cap’ and ‘cat’.

What Curriculum Should I Use?

Before we jump into curriculum options, let’s talk about the importance of being read to. As we discussed in another episode, reading to children is the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores. A study from Ohio State University highlights the profound effects of reading on child development, showing that children who are read to in the first five years of life have a 1.4-million-word advantage over children who are not read to at home.

There is no ideal age range for reading aloud to your children, and there is no end range. Many families still enjoy read-aloud time with high schoolers and college students. “The Read-Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease discusses the benefits of reading aloud and offers great book suggestions for every age range.

Read Aloud Handbook

Benefits From Reading Together and Reading Aloud:

  • Vocabulary
  • Language patterns
  • Thinking skills
  • Writing skills
  • Encourages independent reading
  • Bonding time
  • Problem solving
  • Concentration
  • Memory work
  • Moral lessons and life skills

It’s not only about instruction; it is essential that your children learn to ENJOY THE STORY. Reading is challenging, and you don’t want to make it harder for them. Help them understand the reason for reading. Here are seven strategies for getting the most out of your read-alouds. 7 Strategies for getting the most out of your read alouds.

Books for New Readers
Episode 024: Favorite Books for New Readers.

Back to curriculum…

When choosing a curriculum, consider these Six important factors:

1. Understand the reading program parts. It should have at least two parts, but ideally will cover phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.  These components work together to create reading abilities.

All About Reading is super easy to use and totally scripted, open-and-go. It uses the Orton-Gillingham instruction approach which not only helps kids with learning differences, but kids without learning differences find it’s a lot easier way to decipher the code.

2. Knowing the names of ALL the letters is not necessary.

3. Teach the sound the consonant represents; begin with the short sound for vowels.

4. Introduce consonants and vowels in a strategic order so a child reads sooner than later. Do not introduce letters in ABC order. 

5. Multiple letter sounds should be introduced at one time.

6. Search play vs. structured teaching approach for PreK and Kindergarten levels.

Check out our
Full Curriculum Guide>>

Teach Your Child to read in 100 Easy Lessons is a popular program. Critics say it can be dry or boring.  It also has a writing component and if you have a resistant writer, this can be a struggle, but you can skip the writing part, and you can also move on rather than cover it repetitively, if you feel you’ve mastered a concept.  It is totally ok to use curriculum as a guide and use the parts that work for you.  Don’t be afraid to adjust things like this.

Sometimes a child needs more phonics mastery after a reading program. Here are some to consider:

Phonics Pathways

Explode the Code– This program is silly and fun and the kids really liked it- it’s probably the only workbook they would do!

All About Reading

The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading

Logic of English

Language Lessons for Little Ones by Sandy Queen an informal introduction to language arts with a Charlotte Mason flavor for preschool students.  

Your reading curriculum may have a follow up book list or recommendations for what complements their program or what they suggest students read next.

early reader recommendations

Top 50 Books for New Readers
View the complete list:
Top 50 Books for New Readers

Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie Series

Dick and Jane

MCGuffey Primer Reader

Dr. Suess Beginner Collection – perfect for rhyming fun!

Bob books

Leveled readers may also be something kids like to start with and progress through. (I can read series and I can read it series).  Your library probably has these books sectioned off in the children’s area and can be fun for kids to pick their own. Graphic novels-there are always internet arguments about whether graphic novels are really “reading.” Of course, they are! Anything that gets your child’s interest and helps them practice their newfound skill has value.  Many students have strengthened reading skills with comics like Calvin and Hobbs or the Far Side.

Graphic Novels are reading too!
Our favorite: Calvin and Hobbes

We are both Charlotte Mason style homeschoolers and this philosophy takes issue with what we call “Twaddle.”  The idea is that it is easy to find books that appeal to the eyes- lots of pictures, short sentence snippets, lots of action but not a lot of substance.  These books are entertaining but offer little substance and don’t require a lot of effort. Often parents think this is what young children need, but the Charlotte Mason approach would say this is not how you strengthen the mind and the imagination. We know kids have great imaginations because we can see it in their play and their drawings, and the stories they tell us.  When we give them less of a prefabricated story and idea and picture, they illustrate the rest in their mind.  So rather than giving them easy, thoughtless books, challenge them with quality, living books that will make them paint pictures in their own mind and words and strengthen their mind’s eye. We don’t need to spoon feed every scene of a story. Visual overload can squelch imagination rather than strengthen it.  

How do you do this without feeling like you are dictating your kids every reading move? Easy- when you go to the library, let them pick the things they want while also picking your own choices.  Fill your bookshelves at home with quality books.  Mix them all in.

Many find reading really takes off when you find that child’s “currency.”  Maybe a popular series that they hear people talk about often, or perhaps they want to teach themselves something.  A video game with lots of text may encourage reading- Animal Crossing was a game that encourages young readers if they want to play.

Best games for Learning How to Read

Hands-on, play based learning, especially for young children, is one of the best ways to learn.  So incorporating games and play into your reading instruction is going to be very helpful.  A really fun reading game is the app and computer game, Teach Your Monster to Read. This is a great option if you are looking for a free web-based reading game for kids.

This program has a bunch of fun reading games and built-in rewards to encourage your child to read and improve reading skills over 3 levels. They have both web browser-based and an app-based options. 

Peggy Kaye’s books are great options.  They had fun activities like this driveway chalk hopscotch game with letters, for instance.  They aren’t necessarily things you would do every day, but fun to break up a program when it gets boring, or if you are struggling and needed to do a walk away. Games for Reading– Playful Ways to help your child read. 

Extend your child’s learning and enjoyment of classic stories with Peggy Kaye’s Games with Books, featuring fun, educational games for reading, writing, and math skills.

Webkinz

Sequence Letters is a great board game for teaching both the letters and the sounds they make. It’s a great way to teach early phonics skills in a an interactive way and it’s a good way to include your preschooler in family game nights. 

Boggle JrWe loved this game! Grows with your child by introducing the ABC’s with many different ways to play as they learn

Reading Eggs and Starfall are excellent app programs for teaching children to read. When Starfall first launched, it was a free website designed to create a fun environment for children learning to read. Since then, it has evolved into a comprehensive program offering pre-K, kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade curricula, with both paid and free options. Starfall is packed with great free online games for teaching your child to read. It is web-based and also has an app, making it a great option if you need to use screen time while on the go.

Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs
30 Day Free Trial for homeschoolers!

Tall Tails is a game that can boost your child’s literacy skills by encouraging them to build a creative story. This game is perfect for the entire family to play together, each adding the next twist to the tall tale. 

Scrabble Junior is letter-matching fun for your little one. It’s a great way for teaching sight words. On a more basic level, you can just hide the tiles around a room and then have kids identify the letter or sounds and make words. You can also do this with Bananagrams.

Karaoke– music is infectious! and children can’t help to watch the words dance by while they sing along. 

Reading games are fun and simple to do

These fun hands-on reading games can be incorporated into your homeschool life and the activities you are already doing:

  • Rhyming Games: Make up jingles with different rhyming words.
  • Making Silly Rhymes: Change words in rhymes, poems, songs, or short stories and see if your child can find out what you changed. For example, “Happy Birthday to shrews…”
  • Listening Games: Ask your child to close their eyes and identify various sounds (e.g., crumpling packaging, tapping with drumsticks, footsteps, opening a door, eating something crunchy). You can also create a sequence of sounds and have them remember the order.
  • Play “I Spy”: List objects you can see that start with certain sounds.
  • Take Out Sounds in Words: See if your child can identify what is wrong when you alter a word, such as saying, “Can you grab me a ‘flice’ of bread?”
  • Clap Syllables: Clap out the syllables in names, words, songs, and poems. Music is a wonderful way to engage young students.
  • Stamp or Dance to Poems and Songs: Encourage your child to stamp their foot or dance to the rhythm of poems and songs.
  • Alliteration: Make silly sentences with similar sounds about everyday objects, like “Sing a song with the sleepy sister.”
  • Play Bingo or Memory: Use flashcards showing capital letters, and have your child find the matching lowercase letter or sight word.
  • Library Story Time: Attend library story time sessions. Librarians can also help you find great books.
  • Sing the Alphabet Song: Sing the alphabet song while pointing out both capital and lowercase letters.

There are many choices and pathways for teaching your child to read, and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take your time, be patient, and be willing to walk away for a little while if things get difficult. It’s crucial not to spend too much time trying to teach something to a preschooler that you could explain in five minutes to a second grader. Sometimes waiting for readiness makes all the difference, and stepping back for a bit can give your child the extra maturity needed to grasp a concept. It may seem counterintuitive, but it really works! Trust the process. You’ve got this!

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