How I Taught My 3 Kids to Read
I have now taught all 3 of my children how to read. I have used the book, 
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann.
My first son started when he was 4 1/2. He was ready to learn and already trying to do it on his own. He also knew his ABC’s and the sounds they made. There did come a point half way through the lessons that he got real frustrated and so we put the book away for a few months. When we picked up the book again he was able to blend the sounds together perfectly and finished the book.
My second son asked to use the book at 4 1/2 as well. He started off with blending the sounds together to make the words pretty early in the book. He did know some of his ABC’s and sounds, but not all of them real well.
My third son started his lessons with me when he was 5. He wasn’t as into learning the ABC’s as avidly as his brothers. He learned the sounds ABC’s made as he went along. He did want to read so we went ahead and started the book.
This book is a phonics based book. In the beginning the letters and words are large sized fonts so the child isn’t intimidated. As they go along the word font sizes get gradually smaller. There are no stories in the beginning, but gradually the stories crop in and go from short stories to a story that covers a couple of pages. This book requires a parent, guardian, teacher, etc. to sit and read with them for about 20 minutes for each lesson. The stories are silly stories that made my kids laugh.
I did supplement this book with their other learning books, and I read to them often. They were showing signs of readiness for reading and were often found trying to read words on their own. A common thing was that we would put the book down about half way through and pick it back up after a couple of months and their reading improved greatly.
After this book, I have them read the cute little “Bob Books” and the 1st grade level “Pathway Readers”, which are Amish.
My boys are 11, 9, and 6 years old and they love reading. 
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Comments: I recommend it highly to anyone, and have. Its a great way to start and within days your young child is actually reading! It rewards them almost immediately, and that’s hard to beat!
Comment by Xerraire — 7/28/2005 @ 1:35 pm
2.
Wendy,
I have taught three to read using the same book, and have started number 4. The last two aren’t quite ready yet but when they are … I will drag out my old tattered copy and start them in it!!
Comment by Jess Jordan — 7/31/2005 @ 9:27 am | Edit This
3.
i would like to find out how much the books are for pre schoolers, primary, and grade 2
could u email me at (*removed for privacy)
Comment by lisa francis — 7/31/2005 @ 4:45 pm
4.
Hi Lisa, you can find that book at Amazon.
Take care, ~Wendy
Comment by Wendy Shepherd — 7/31/2005 @ 4:55 pm
5.
Hi Wendy. I am a Special Ed. teacher and a tutor who uses SRA’s Corrective Reading
which was co-authored by Siegfried Englemann. Can you tell me if this is
recommended for children who are having difficulty learning to read? It sounds like a great resource!
Comment by Denise Johnson — 7/31/2005 @ 4:59 pm
6.
Wendy-
I taught my daughter who just turned 4 how to read with this book. I actually was doing
2 lessons a day at times because she loved it so much. She is now 7 and is reading novels. My son has just started using this book. He has speech problems and I believe that it is helping him. He isn’t taking to it like my daughter, but we will continue to use it until we get to a roadblock. I’ve suggested this book to numerous homeschoolers. It’s the best way to start reading.
Comment by Melissa A. Short — 8/1/2005 @ 2:11 am
7.
Denise, you can probably pick up a copy at the local library to see if you think it is appropriate. I personally think it is good for kids who need to learn to read at any age, even if it seems too easy at first. You will be better able to determine this by looking at the book.
Comment by Wendy Shepherd — 8/2/2005 @ 1:25 am
8.
Dear Wendy,
I live in India and would love to find out more about how to teach reading.It would be nice if you could also tell touch with young parents online.
Comment by Naima — 11/7/2005 @ 11:10 pm