How to Choose the Best Homeschool Reading Program

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Teaching your child to read and finding the best homeschool reading program can really feel very overwhelming.

I mean, learning to read is a big deal…right?!

Even though you know how to read yourself, it doesn’t mean that you know how to teach someone else to read.

Some parents may have a knack for it, but I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of us would appreciate at least a little hand holding.

The good news is that there are LOADS of homeschool reading programs available, but the trick is knowing which one is the best.

I’m going to talk you through how to make that decision.

How to Decide Upon the Best Homeschool Reading Program

Teaching your child to read is very rarely a straight process. There will be curves and bends that happen along the way.

Some kids pick up on it really easily while others take their time.

There’s nothing wrong with either.

When choosing a reading program there are several things to consider.

Hopefully, the points below will help to reduce the number of choices you have in order that you’re able to make an easier decision.

#1 Understand How Your Child’s Learning Style

Here’s something you really should know… There is no best reading program.

In all honesty, the best reading program is the one that is best for YOUR child.

A good place to start is by knowing which learning style your child most strongly affiliates with.

There are four main learning styles that most of us fall into:

• Visual – You learn best by watching videos, viewing pictures, and seeing things done.
• Auditory – You learn best by listening.
• Kinesthetic – You learn best by doing.
• Reading/Writing – You learn best by reading and writing.

If you can understand how your child learns best then it can really help to streamline your curriculum choice.

Once I understood that my son learned the best by doing, it was an easy decision to choose All About Reading.

While their reading program caters to all learning styles, I knew it would be really great for my hands-on learner due to the manipulative aspects that they include in the lessons.

We started our school year using The Good & The Beautiful Language Arts and while I have nothing against the program itself, it just wasn’t the right fit for my son at this stage.

I do plan to revisit in the future, but for where we’re at, All About Reading is the perfect fit.

#2 Do Your Research

Once you understand your child’s learning style, you can more easily go about researching homeschool curriculum.

This may take you a while or not long at all.

I personally LOVE watching and reading reviews of curriculum so I’ll admit I lend a lot of time to it.

Good places to look are websites like Cathy Duffy Reviews, and also on Youtube.

If you’re a visual person then Youtube will be really great for getting a good understanding of what a curriculum looks like and how it works.

You’ll find many homeschool mamas sharing a lesson in video format so that you can get a real feel for the curriculum.

#3 Be Open to Change

I mentioned above that we switched reading programs during our school year.

It took a lot of thought for me to do that because it was difficult to change what we were doing.

Not for my son…but for myself.

So often, we can get tied up in what we think should be working or even just what we want to work.

It ends up causing friction because you’re fighting for what you want instead of what your child needs.

Related: What Homeschooling Isn’t

The beauty of homeschooling is that you get to cater your child’s education to fit them perfectly.

Try to lay aside your wants and expectations and just really take a look at what your child is needing.

Be willing to put away a program that isn’t working and find something that will.

There’s no failure, only the possibility of more joy and fulfillment in the program your child thrives in.

#4 Promote a Love of Books

No matter what reading program you choose, if your child is not seeing that behavior modelled, then it will be more of an uphill battle than it ever should be.

Read to your kids and let them see you reading.

Make it intentional and a part of your day until it becomes something so natural that you barely have to think about it.

I like to read to my children during breakfast. They’re all still and occupied.

It has really helped to teach them to be attentive without having to scold and be on their cases.

We do lots of picture books but during that time I always read chapter books to them.

They’re 5, 3, and 1.

Don’t underestimate what they’re capable of.

The very best thing you can do when thinking about teaching your child to read is to pick up a book and read to them.

#5 Be Ready to Stop

Once upon a time the expectation of when a child should learn to read was at a much older age.

We seem to be expecting it younger and younger and there’s a pressure to prepare our kids for “what they might face” at a younger age as well.

If your child is not ready to read and it is all an up hill battle…stop.

Stop teaching them and just read to them.

Work on your relationship with them and fostering a love for books.

They will learn to read, even if they’re not quite getting it at 5.

There are so many studies out there now showing that delaying formal education till 6 and older has many benefits.

If your child is fighting learning how to read then I am giving you permission to stop. Seriously.

Just read fun books together and try again in a few months. There is no rush.

Conclusion

Perhaps you came to this post hoping for a list of reading programs that are highly recommended.

Trust me, there are such posts out there, but what I wanted you to know was how you as the parent can feel empowered to make the decision about which one is right for your child.

The best reading program will be the one that works for your family.