Teach Your Child to Read In 100 Easy Lessons: Does It Work?
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The book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons has been used for more than one generation. But, what does it actually look like when used in real life?
Well, as a homeschool graduate, I remember my own mom using it to teach my little sisters to read. I also used it with my oldest child. To many, it seems like a magical book to create a good reader.
In short, yes, the method in the book works.
However, you probably want to know a bit more than that so we’re going to chat about how the book works and a few caveats.
What Is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons?
Simply put, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a step-by-step program that teaches children their letter sounds at the same time as it teaches them how to blend the sounds together and read words.
There’s no prerequisite that children must know their letter sounds before they begin using the book.
Instead, they are taught as blending is also being taught. There’s less emphasis on the letter name than there is on the sound of the letter.
It starts slowly with lots of repetition and builds until the end of the book where a child is able to read an entire page of words.
They use special markings over their letters to help children understand the required sounds.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is phonics-based. If that is important to you then you will appreciate that they take that approach in this book. A phonics-based program is ideal. Honestly, it’s the most research-supported method when it comes to the different ways to teach children how to read.
The lessons are laid out so that letter sounds are taught and reviewed first. Then you move on to the blending/reading portion. There’s picture recognition and comprehension as well as letter sound writing.
Your child will start out with simple words but will be able to read longer words with special sounds by the end of the program.
The age at which to start using this program is going to largely depend on the skills and readiness of your kid. I know of someone who successfully used it with their three-year-old child while others have waited until age six to begin any formal studies.
Pros of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
This is a simple program that is open-and-go. If you’re looking for something easy without any frills then this is the program for you. Teaching kids how to read can feel really overwhelming when you’ve never done it before. However, this is a good way to teach reading skills if you’ve never done it before.
It’s also a great option if you need something affordable. You can pick this up new without spending a fortune but you can also likely find it second-hand and save even more money.
Because it is non-consumable it’s ideal for families wishing to use it for more than one child.
Lessons are short and to the point making it ideal for young children who may not be able to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Short lessons are ideal for young readers as they really have to work hard to read at this point. However, each lesson will leave them with a sense of accomplishment which ultimately builds their confidence and will lead to more advanced skills over time.
Related: How Many Hours a Day Should I Homeschool?
It’s also a trusted curriculum. As I said, it has been successfully used for more than one generation.
This program is very supportive of the parent. There’s lots of information about how to use the book and what it is you’re trying to achieve.
The lessons are also scripted so that you’re not having to guess any of it.
Finally, this is also a great option for poor readers who need some extra help at home if they’re in school and struggling. Many schools do not use the direct instruction method of phonics to reach reading and children struggle as a result.
Cons of This Program
If simple is your thing then that’s awesome, but if you want something a little more colorful and engaging then I suggest looking elsewhere.
The lessons are short and to the point but they’re also rather dry and boring. There’s not a lot of variety to the lessons so you or your child may tire of them after a while.
This is more of a personal preference thing, but if you don’t like the approach of sounds being marked then you will take issue with this program.
Our Experience
This was the first ever reading curriculum that I purchased as a homeschool mom. Because my own mom had used it with my sisters, I wanted to give it a go.
Overall, I found it a great resource for us. It was a good introduction to reading. Because of the lack of color and variety in the lessons, I did find myself having to supplement it with other activities.
However, if you’re looking for a simple, effective, and affordable spine for a reading curriculum, then I highly recommend it.
You just have to be willing to get a bit creative and add some color and fun to the experience with some supplemental activities and books.
You may not have a completely independent reader by the end of using this program, but the sounds introduction, and other skills taught will absolutely help set up your child for reading success.
With the use of additional supplementary material, we were able to use this in our own home in an enjoyable way that my child looked forward to.
I also think it’s an affordable way to get a gauge on how your child is going to do with learning how to read. If they’re a natural reader then they’ll pick up on it quickly and you’ll have no issues. However, if they’re a struggling young reader and they’re not doing well with this program then you can then start looking at the most effective method for teaching them without already having spent a lot of money on a reading program.
Other Options
The two other options that I recommend for reading are more comprehensive and diverse but also come with a significant price tag.
They are:
Both are proven reading curriculums that are very thorough and effective. Do take note that if you have a child who may have some learning challenges relating to reading, All About Reading is my recommendation.
It uses the Orton Gillingham method to teach reading which is designed specifically for children with learning challenges such as dyslexia.
Final Thoughts
I have now spent several years of my life teaching my own children how to read. This was our first main reading curriculum and I’m so glad that we used it. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is an effective reading program that can work very well with just a little bit of extra work to make things more interesting.
The simple method of teaching along with repetition really does work to get children reading effectively. Countless parents have used it with their children effectively and appreciate the ease of delivery that the book contains. It’s a practical guide to teaching children how to read and equipping them with essential skills of reading. Even younger children can use it (my son was only 4 when we used it).
It’s also a really affordable option for anyone on a budget and can be resold once you’ve finished with it.
It will always hold a place of nostalgia for me being one of the first curriculums I ever purchased.
You will have a better chance of success if you take the time to add some fun supplemental activities and books, but overall it is still a solid reading program. It’s an interesting way to teach reading that is still simple and very easy for parents to use.
