Reading Programs for Kindergartners: 5 Tips

by Mary Follin

Researching reading programs for kindergartners? You and many other parents! Kindergarten used to be reserved for playtime, naps, and learning to share. (Remember those days?) Educators have since learned that kindergarteners are open to learning some pretty important reading skills, even at this early age.

And why not? Kids love learning to read, as long as concepts are introduced in an age-appropriate way. At this tender age, children can tolerate small doses of basic reading skills, as long as they're presented in a consistent way and lessons are kept short. (Kindergarten happens to be a sweet spot for our program, Teach Your Child to Read™. Lessons are only 5 minutes a day, which is about as long as most kindergartners are willing to sit still.)

Short, easy lessons are an obvious fit for your kindergartner, but they also make reading easy for you to teach, especially if you've never done it before. (Plus, you're busy, right?) With straightforward guidance from any of the reading programs for kindergartners on the market, you should have no problem teaching your child to read.

And be sure to take it slow! Even if your child is having fun learning to read, introduce each new concept one at a time. At this young age, children learn quickly as long as learning is delivered in small doses. What follows are 5 TIPS to make the most of any of the reading programs for kindergartners you choose.

Reading programs for kindergartners

Reading Programs for Kindergartners: Why is Phonics so Important?

Many reading programs for kindergartners take a phonics-based approach to reading. The beauty of phonics is that it can be introduced in tiny bites, a mere few minutes a day. Small children love playing with sounds, and associating sounds with letters becomes a game for them.

Phonics is foundational for developing a child into a strong reader. Once children know the 'sounds' and the 'rules' of the English language, they can sound out almost anything, even at a surprisingly young age. These are the kids who naturally become independent readers—and who love to read!

5 Tips When Using Reading Programs for Kindergartners

1) How Early Can You Start?
Your child is unlike any other. As a parent, you're the best person to decide when to start teaching your child to read. Is your child able to sit still and focus for 3-4 minutes? Are there any developmental or language delays? If you have a 3-year-old who is curious about everything, go for it! But don't let your enthusiasm create pressure on your child's willingness to learn.

2) How Long Will It Take?
If your child is 3 or 4, he or she will typically take longer than an older child who is already in kindergarten or 1st grade. The key is, let your child set the pace! It may takes weeks—or months—for your child to grasp some of the concepts, and that's okay. If your child has any familiarity with phonics before starting school, he or she will already be well-situated to learn.

3) How Long Should the Lessons Be?
NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. We can't emphasize this enough! What's nice about phonics is that it segments nicely into short micro-lessons. The best reading programs for kindergartners are designed for a young child's naturally short attention span. Besides, you're busy, right? Consistency is key, and by keeping lessons short, you'll be able to commit to a daily practice.

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4) How Do I Measure Progress?
Please don't test your kindergartener! Learning to read unfolds more naturally when you focus on process, not progress. It's critical you let your child set the pace for learning, even if you need to take extended breaks for a while. There's no hurry. Once your child learns to read (even a few words), reading is the reward. Before you know it, you'll find your child reading words on signs, menus, and in the grocery store—everywhere!

5) Do I Have Bragging Rights?
If at all possible, avoid showing-off your child's new skills to friends, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. It's tempting, I know! But please let your child's learning be something special between the two of you. Reading is personal; think of all the things you've read that have moved you to tears or brought you great joy. Please give your child the space to explore the adventure of reading without having to perform for anybody else.

As you can see by these tips, when exploring reading programs for kindergartners, you'll want to be sensitive to the learning needs of small children. Attention span, stress levels, intrinsic reward, and time spent with you should all be considered when choosing the right program for your family.

What parents particularly love about Teach Your Child to Read™ is that it's a gentle, nurturing approach, designed for you and your child to work together. Child-centered, our program is 100% interactive and requires only a few minutes of screen time each day. And as an added bonus, the 5-minute-a-day lessons are easy for you to fit into your busy schedule. Although my children are grown, they still remember spending one-on-one time with me, learning how to read!

Ready to give our reading program for kindergarteners a try? Learn more about Teach Your Child to Read™.

Learn about the difference between sight reading vs phonics,

See reviews of the 5 best reading programs for kindergartners: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Reading Eggs, Teach Your Monster to Read, and Hooked on Phonics. And of course, Teach Your Child to Read™ is in there, too!

Our Program is One of the Easiest Reading Programs for Kindergartners!

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Founder and creator Mary Follin began her career as a systems engineer with IBM. Since then, she's worked in a variety of industries including market research, product development, and product innovation, and she currently provides marketing consulting to professional services firms. She is also the author of Ethyr, a 2018 Moonbeam Children's Book Award winner. Mary is a columnist for Fredericksburg Parent & Family—together with Erika Guerrero—offering parenting advice in ASK MOM. Her column was recognized as a winner in the 2021 Parenting Media Association award.