Wide-eyed and curious, your child is beginning the first phase of reading instruction. Early reading skills set the foundation for literacy development and lifelong learning, which is why this phase of development is so fascinating and crucial for kids. But with so many learning apps, online lessons, and educational programs available today, how can you choose the right one?
In this article, we address some of the top features to look for in a reading program for kindergarten students. With these tips, we hope you feel empowered to help your child begin reading confidently! We’ll consider what features to look for, which curriculum works best, and how to align an early reading program with your child’s interests and needs. Let’s get your little one started on the path to reading success.
Effective Kindergarten Reading Programs: Know What to Look For
The reading program you choose for your kids has a direct impact on their literacy experiences. With the overwhelming number of options online, in stores, and at school, you need to prepare yourself with some basic reading knowledge if you want to discern which programs are worth trying.
While there’s no “one size fits all” program we recommend, we believe parents can make informed choices that best support their children. Here’s what to look for in a reading program that works.
1. Follows the Science of Reading
The science of reading is a multidisciplinary pool of research that scientifically explains how children learn to read. Backed by decades of evidence, it suggests systematic and synthetic phonics instruction is effective at teaching most kids the skills they need to become readers. The instructional approach is structured, delivering concepts in a direct, sequential, and logical order from easiest to most advanced. This style of instruction is crucial. It develops strong literacy skills from the ground up.
The goal of systematic, synthetic instruction is to equip children to decode (sound out) unfamiliar words by breaking them down into individual sounds—called phonemes—and then blending those sounds to form words. It builds phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. As children progress their decoding skills and map unfamiliar words to memory, they begin practicing fluency—the ability to read smoothly, easily, and accurately. Vocabulary expansion and language comprehension also play important roles in children’s understanding of what they read.
By choosing a program that follows the science of reading, you set your child on a path toward lifelong reading and long-term academic success.
2. Takes a Phonics-Based Approach
As noted in the science of reading, phonics instruction is fundamental in early reading as it teaches children the alphabetic principle—the correlation between alphabetical letters and speech sounds.
Introducing your child to phonics early on helps establish a strong foundation. Examples of fun ways to implement phonics instruction include:
- Phonics games: Interactive apps and board games that focus on letter-sound relationships.
- Songs and rhymes: Incorporating phonics songs and nursery rhymes to make learning enjoyable.
- Storytime: Reading books that emphasize phonics patterns and sounds.
Whether your child is starting to learn phonics before kindergarten or is on their way to decoding whole words on their own, a structured, engaging approach is necessary.
3. Engages Learners With Interactive Content
Learning to read has to be fun! Stories, books, games, and interactive lessons are important aspects of reading education because they keep children’s attention while allowing them to learn through play.
Look for a reading or phonics program that turns reading instruction from a passive explanation into an engaging, interactive experience. Signs of educational engagement include:
- Colorful illustrations that aren’t too distracting
- Relatable characters
- Interactive features such as video clips, quizzes, and games
- Multisensory instruction
Reading programs that implement exploration and discovery not only enhance learners’ comprehension but also foster positive attitudes toward reading. When learning feels like play, kids are more likely to develop a genuine interest in the concepts being taught.
4. Uses Age-Appropriate Lessons and Activities
Learning programs have to match the developmental stage of the learner. This not only maintains their interest but also builds their confidence and enables them to strengthen their skills over time. Age-appropriate content is designed to coincide with the cognitive and emotional capabilities of your child, providing a balanced mix of challenge and enjoyment.
Examples of age-appropriate reading activities for kindergarten-aged children are:
- Read-aloud sessions: Reading stories with plots that are interesting and simple enough for your child to understand, with colorful illustrations to help them build comprehension.
- Rhyming games: Enhancing phonological awareness through fun rhyming activities.
- Letter recognition activities: Using demonstrations, games, songs, and multisensory techniques to teach alphabetical letters and their sounds.
- Interactive reading: Encouraging children to participate in reading time by acting out scenes, sharing their observations, or using puppets to retell the story.
What you want to avoid in a reading program is any instructional content that looks passive, lacks assessment, moves too fast, or uses inappropriate materials (learning activities that encourage children to guess words based on pictures or read words based on their outer shape).
5. Tracks Your Child’s Progress
You’ll want to know how your child is progressing in a reading program, even if it’s a supplementary program you help them do at home. Look for one that has some kind of progress tracker, quiz, or assessment that reveals what your child is learning.
Additionally, if the program allows you to adjust the difficulty level or tailor the lessons to concepts your child is currently learning, even better. This makes sure your child feels appropriately challenged and motivated, which prevents frustration and boredom as they learn.
6. Supports Parental Involvement
Kids need positive reinforcement when learning. It boosts their confidence and motivates them to move forward. Similarly, positive parental involvement in a child’s reading program is crucial! Look for a program or app that provides additional resources for parents, helping you effectively support your child’s progress.
Parent-involved reading activities such as reading aloud, discussing stories, redirecting mistakes, and practicing phonics together can significantly enhance your child’s reading skills. Make this feature a priority when comparing different programs.
How to Choose the Right Program for Your Child
Once you feel confident in making judgments about different reading programs, consider the needs and interests of your child. Do they thrive with hands-on activities? Are they immersed in digital learning? Do they enjoy a combination of both?
Consider the program’s structure and content. Does it align with your educational goals? Is it based on a comprehensive approach to reading instruction?
Finally, read online reviews to see what other parents are saying about different programs. Ask other parents and teachers about what programs or at-home activities they recommend.
The Reading.com Program for Kindergarten and Pre-K
The Reading.com app is a science-backed reading education app designed to help early readers develop essential literacy skills. With systematic synthetic phonics instruction, engaging activities, and parental involvement features, Reading.com helps kids become confident beginner readers.
Start your child on the right track and try out these interactive reading lessons at home! Download the Reading.com app today to enjoy a free trial.