There are many schools of thought when it comes to teaching children how to read. Phonics, sight words, lexical reading, and a variety of other methods may be employed. But there is heated debate as to which program best promotes literacy. Consequently, I thought that I should conduct a review on Children Learning Reading. It’s not just the topic but the actual name of a reading program. It’s an ebook compilation with extras that promises to transform children into fluent readers – quickly and without tears. Hopefully, my Children Learning Reading review will provide some tips on reading readiness and answer any questions you may have about this resource.

Instant Reading Success

As concerned parents, we want to prepare our children for school so they can flourish. As the hackneyed expression goes, ‘Reading is fundamental.” Once the milestone of literacy is met, youngsters can then better absorb the fascinating world around them. Knowledge accelerates and self-expression takes off.

But perhaps we’re in too much of a rush to promote literacy. Remember, the infomercial where babies mastered reading via flashcards? I’m sure a lot of parents felt a sense of bewilderment and pressure, comparing their kids with these accomplished babies. But you cannot always believe everything you see, exemplified by the fact that the Federal Trade Commission put the kibosh on that infomercial. (That company still sells its reading products online, by the way.)

Indeed, babies cannot just master reading. It’s not their fault. Simply, there are certain brain processes that have to ignite from a neurological standpoint for little babies, even with big brains, to be able to read. After all, they have to be ready, from a cognitive and developmental phase, to master the complexities of reading.

Now infants are not the primary target group in Children Learning Reading. Thank goodness! But creators of the program, Jim and Elena Yang, developed a program best suited for 2-7 year-olds. They promise quick results for this age-appropriate group but their strategies must be consistently and diligently implemented.

Phonetic Approach

One of the greatest assets of this program, in my humble opinion, is its reliance on phonics. Letters and corresponding sounds are introduced, and children begin to sound out simple words. Complexity builds as letter recognition (your child needs to trace the letters, too) and phonetic awareness increase. They begin to master more challenging words. Their decoding skills continually improve as they’re able to interpret sounds or groups of sounds called phonemes.

The authors of Children Learning Reading provide an excellent foundation in building phonetic awareness. But this review would be incomplete if I did not give some examples:

Sound and Word Discrimination: Which one of these words does not go with the others? bit fit hit lit sit bat

Rhyming: What rhymes with eat? – Answer: meat

Blending: What word is made up of b/a/t? – Answer: bat

Phonetic segmentation: What are the sounds in “wet“? – Answer w/e/t

Well, you get the idea. Children Learning Reading is chock full of phonics lessons, specifically tailored to meet the needs of your child and not exceed his/her attention span. But phonics review in Children Learning Reading is much more thorough and insightful than standard phonics books. You’ll receive insider information on how to best facilitate phonics awareness and knowledge.

For example, you’ll learn the difference between choppy blending and smooth blending, and why you must implement the latter. Hint: You must connect the letters in a given word so the child knows that the sounds of the corresponding letters should be naturally grouped together.

Jim and Elena Yang’s attention to phonics detail is amazing. Here is just one small tip they include in the Children Learning Reading manual: Sound out the letters in a word and then the entire word. They add, “While saying the word, make sure to swipe your finger across below the word – timing it so that the movement of your finger is synchronized with your pronunciation of the word.”

As I was reviewing Children Learning Reading, I couldn’t help but think that I was reading the “Teacher’s Edition” as it provides such complete, clear directions. It’s like following a simple map where two points are connected by one straight line. Your child will go from non-reader to reader just by following the direct instructional path blazed by the Yangs. As you and child walk on this path, you’ll soon get to your destination (i.e., decoding proficiency heaven and reading literacy.)

“But what about sight words,” you may ask. According to Jim and Elena Yang, research shows that the phonetic approach is superior to reliance on sight words. The authors write at length about why they teach ‘breaking the phonetic code’ system over the sight word alternative, citing the prevailing research. The simple answer: It just works better for the vast majority of kids.

Now, of course, even with phonics, children are introduced to exceptions to phonetic rules. Indeed, there are times where rote memory of sight words must be called upon.

Children Learning Reading – Structure and Organization

It’s not surprising that Jim and Elena Yang compiled this information to teach their own 3 children to read. You can see this resource leaves no stone unturned for any parent to serve as a reading coach.

There are detailed lesson plans and reading materials in pdf format. Accompanying audios will ensure proper pronunciation of phonemes, and when applicable, ‘phonetic exception words.”

If you get the Premium Package, videos are also offered to demonstrate how to facilitate lessons. Jim reveals a case study, showing his implementation of the lessons with one of his sons.

In the Premium version, cue card printouts are yours for the taking, and will help young would-be readers, particularly visual learners.

Children Learning Reading deserves a 10 out of 10 when it comes to systematic organization. There is a logical flow from lesson to lesson and skills build on earlier skills. There is also a synergism between the info formats provided (i.e., pdfs, audios, and videos.)

Children Learning Reading review – The Pros

I appreciate the premise that phonetic awareness is the most effective reading strategy.

The lessons are systematic and easy-to-follow, and you should be able to integrate them within your hectic schedule.

You’ll have a full understanding of why you’re performing these lessons. Jim and Elena provide compelling insight as to the reasons their strategies work. This will only increase your motivation to serve as your child’s reading coach.

You and your child will have a sense of accomplishment, even when mastering small steps. You’ll know that you’re doing everything in your power to prepare your loved one for school demands, giving him/her a head start.

You’ll be spending quality time with your child. The lessons call for communication and dialogue. The lessons can even be fun for both of you.

This is also a healthy diversion for your child, keeping him/her away from television and/or video games.

The information is all-encompassing, and covers all the important aspects of phonics and phonetic awareness. There are 50 lessons in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 e-books. (Stage 2 is obviously more advanced.)

Even if you feel that you are not a quality teacher or coach, your confidence to serve as a reading facilitator will become much greater when you view the sample videos, demonstrating how to teach (Premium package). But even if you choose the Standard package, the manual is a veritable teacher’s guide.

A variety of bonuses are included, such as fun and engaging lesson stories and children’s nursery rhymes.

Lifetime updates are available and you’re guaranteed to receive 12 weeks of email support from the authors.

Plenty of testimonials and success stories are provided, offered with video documentation.

You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. The Standard Package costs $49.95 and the Premium one only costs about $20 more at $69.90

There is a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Children Learning Reading Review – The Cons

Although you need not spend more than 20 minutes a day, this program requires daily commitment on your part and your child’s. (Still, any investment of your time should more than pay off when your child reaches literacy benchmarks.)

Although the lessons have that fun element, you may have to motivate your child to participate, at least initially. (Jim and Elena Yang even tackle issues of motivation and expectation, and help you create a patient, loving, nurturing, and encouraging atmosphere, conducive to reading success.)

You’ll have to devote more time and expense with printing and cutting the cue cards (Premium package).

If you’re anti-phonics (perhaps you should rethink this stance), Children Learning Reading will not be the reading program for you.

Bottom Line

Jim Yang labels himself a perfectionist but that trait serves his readers well. This course strives to be the perfect teaching reading instrument, and it accomplishes this goal.

I’m not surprising to see the scores of success stories. The lessons are clear, and both parent coach and child reader quickly become familiar with the skills they need to master to ensure literacy. One lesson logically follows another, and a review of a previous lesson is given, too.

While the authors promise quick reading fluency, they don’t promise overnight success. However, progress will be steady and in a relatively short time span, your child will be reading you bedtime stories.

I am an avid proponent of phonics and phonetic awareness, and several months ago, I was reviewing a host of phonics courses for my friend’s grandson. I looked high and low, including an online search for “best phonics program.” Children Learning Reading should have received top ranking for that term.

© 2015, Annie Lax, All Rights Reserved. Children Learning Reading review written for: ProminentOffers.com

Here are the bonuses you’ll receive as our gift for ordering Children Learning Reading program through our link:

	Raising happy and responsible children in the 21st Century is a must-read for all parents who want to raise success-bound kids.
	Whether or not to homeschool your kids is such an important decision. Read about factors you must take into consideration.
	Here are some creative suggestions on what to do during those boring, rainy days. With your help, you kids will be able to create things on the cheap.
	Here are some clever ways to keep kids busy.