Tips from an Expert on Reading Using Phonics

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PARENTS FORUM

QUESTIONS ABOUT FRONTLINE PHONICS BEGINNING READING PROGRAM

Please send me details of Frontline Phonics as I am a teacher and would love to hear from U.

In short, Frontline Phonics is a phonetic reading program designed to help young children begin to read.

Frontline Phonics Reading Program

It was developed by a preschool that needed a great reading program focusing on letter & sound identification, blending concepts, and then blending application to reading words. I'm a teacher at that preschool. We had tried several different programs that were on the market, but each one lacked one essential element that we needed. We researched and developed a program that would meet all of our needs completely. We had such incredible success with this methodology and in-house program that the director/owner of the school decided to market it. The result—Frontline Phonics.

I've been teaching for 9 years. I've used Frontline for 5 of those 9 years. Hands down, it is the best program I've worked with. We have incredible success every year with it. 98% of our 4 year olds leave preschool reading at or near a first grade reading level. Keep in mind that we're a preschool working with 3 & 4 year olds, and we have that kind of success. It's amazing to watch every year--this program really works. It's very easy to use and very user friendly. The Frontline kit is designed to help the parent teach their child to read, but we follow the exact same program in school with our classes.

Hope that answers your questions. I don't work for Frontline, as I stated, I'm a preschool teacher. I work with them in a sort of coaching capacity, answering reading questions that parents/teachers may have about specific reading issues. You could get more details on the kit by calling 1-800-YES-READ if you have further questions.

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I have an 8-year-old son who is having a hard time reading. He is in the second grade and reads on a first grade level. How soon can I expect a change in his reading after he starts this program?

It's hard to say for sure as I'm unfamiliar with his background and previous reading experience. However, in my 4 year old classroom, I begin with the first few lessons the second week of school (in September), and by the middle of October, I have a large percentage of my 24 children reading. I'm a firm believer that this program can teach children to read, and improve any child’s reading abilities. It's fun for the child, very doable for the parents, and the results are tremendous. Good luck!

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We purchased Frontline Phonics, including the coaching program, back in October or November. My son had just turned 4. He LOVED the lessons—right up until I tried to get him to blend the letters. He is extremely resistant to even try it. He won't even sound them out with me. He says he "doesn't want to learn how to read." He is VERY bright –all his preschool teachers, friends, etc., rave about his verbal skills and abilities, but he seems almost afraid to try to blend the letters.

He wants to keep going on the lessons, and I did for a while—we're almost through all the regular letters, but I'm hesitant to keep going when he still won't even try to blend. It's almost like he's afraid if he learns to read that I'll make him read all the time and I won't read for him anymore, or something. It's very strange—everything else we do together, he is SO enthusiastic and willing to try anything.

I haven't ever called the coaching program or anything. To be honest, we quit doing the lessons several weeks ago. I thought maybe a break would help. Besides answering the question about blending, how also do you suggest we get back into it after a long break? Thanks very much for any input you can give.

Blending can be a bit of a tricky spot for some children. It sounds like he's very bright, but maybe just not quite ready yet. I have kids like this in my class, and here's what I do with them. First of all, I back way off. If they think I'm pressuring them, or if they feel pressure from their parents—they won't do it. They get defensive and frustrated. So make sure that there is not pressure coming from you about his abilities to read. After all, he's just 4 years old. He has many more years to figure this language code out, so there's no need to push yet.

I back way up, and make sure that everything we're doing stays fun. I also cut way back on the time we work on it. If you're working for 20-30 minutes and pushing for results—they'll push back by not wanting to “play” anymore. I keep my lesson/game times to about 10 min. No more. Here are few ideas that might help. I like to think of as many blending games as I can by using a set of cards that have the letters that they know on them. I hold them in my hand and let them pick three cards and lay them out. Then we sound out what they picked. Sometimes they're nonsense words, but they get the idea that I want them to read what they picked. Then I reverse it and I pick three cards. We play this game back and forth several times and they hear and see me read what I picked. Seeing me do it often helps them understand what I'm trying to get them to do.

Another blending trick I use that often helps them hear the difference between sounding out each letter and blending them into words is to read a very familiar book to them (or at least a page of it) sounding out each letter as I go. This has to be a very familiar book that they know and can instantly recognize that this is not how the book should be read. They can hear the difference between sounding out each letter and blending those letters into words.

Repetition is the key here. Playing and inventing lots of blending games will help. Keeping it fun will make him want to "play" again. When you feel that he's ready to try again, just start over with the lessons—he'll remember some of them, and when he recognizes them, just for fun, have him teach them to you! This solidifies the ides in his mind, and it's super cool to be the “teacher” and teach mom or dad what the letter “d” says. Good luck in your progress—call or write anytime, we'll all be happy to help.

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I was so excited when I purchased the Frontline Phonics program, I couldn't wait to start. When we began with the lesson plan, my daughter was fine until she was asked to repeat the letter sound. She would refuse to continue. I didn't know what to do. So, I continued with the rest of the lesson and would later refer the letter sound. But still she refused. I don't want her to lose interest. She enjoys the CD, coloring the worksheets and the letter searching game and LOVES to be read to. But will not sound out the letters for me. We have been on the letter “m” for weeks now, and still she will not sound out the letter. I don't know how to get her over this hump. HELP! I'm getting to a point where I'm frustrated.

Thanks for writing. It sounds to me like your daughter is a very typical 3 year old. You mentioned that she is interested in the music, the letter games, and coloring, loves to be read to, but is not interested in repeating or drilling on any specific letter. That's pretty normal behavior for a 3 year old. Quite often the interest to make the association between the letter and the sound it makes comes more when they are 4 to 4 ½ years old. Her lack of interest in repeating things to you could be just that—lack of interest.

Don't push her—let her learn at her own pace. I would put the lessons away for a while, listen to the music, let her play letter games around the house—always associating a sound with a letter. When she is curious about the letters in her name, how to spell her name, how to spell your name—that's a pretty good sign that she's ready to make the connection between the letter and the sound and how they fit together in a word.

Meanwhile, don't get discouraged. Keep it light and simple and fun, and when she's ready, she'll get it. Keep up the good work and enjoy working with your child.

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I just started using your phonics. Do I teach both of my children at the same time or should I have separate lessons? Now my son is 5 years old and my daughter is 3 years old. So far I have been teaching them both at the same time and it seems to be working but I thought it might be better separate them. What do you think?

I'm so impressed with what you're doing! There is no problem with teaching them together. If your 3 year old is interested and willing to sit through a lesson, then great, let her stay. A few concepts she might not get, but she's being exposed to the ideas and when she is ready to hear them, they will sound familiar to her. I think it's super if she's interested. I would keep them together until she shows a lack of interest. If she gets bored and wanders off during the lesson, that's OK, let her go. She'll have other times to learn the information so don't worry about pushing her.

The only reason I would separate them is if the 3 year old started to pass the 5 year old, making him feel uncomfortable. Then I would teach them at different times so that they can experience their own success in learning and not feel a sense of competition or sibling pressure. Keep up the good work and enjoy the process of working with your children.

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Our 3 year old is hyperlexic and is already beginning to read by sight. I think teaching him phonics would be helpful, because he is obsessed with letters and numbers. He knows every letter (upper and lower case) by sight (and has since he was 2). I did the first lesson online with him about the letter "m" and he caught on very fast. How often do you recommend using the program? How long does it take to complete? I'm very excited about this!

I'm a pre-school teacher and have used Frontline Phonics for the past 5 years with great success. We teach a letter a day (we have school 3 days a week), so we're introducing a new letter about every other day. The lessons only take 15 minutes or so to complete, and then we encourage the parents to talk about the letter while they're at home on their off days from school. If you chose to do it everyday, you could obviously complete the entire program quicker, but beware of burnout. Keeping it short and sweet will keep it fun.

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How hard is it to start this program, and how expensive is it?

Frontline Phonics is extremely easy to use. I use it everyday in my preschool and have tremendous success teaching 4 year olds how to read. It is a well-thought-out and well-guided program that enables you to teach your child the fundamentals of reading. I have been so pleased with the program layout and the program results. I think you will be too. Logon to www.yesread.com for program pricing and information, or give them a call at 800.YES.READ if you are interested.

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I need more information about the phonics program. I have 3 children who need to use it. There are two 7-year-old twins and one 4 year old. Help me please!

I'm a preschool teacher at a private preschool in my area and have taught children reading for many years. I know that this will sound like a blatant plug, but I have seen so much success with the Frontline Phonics program that I have to think that it might be a valuable resource for you. Frontline starts by teaching the alphabet letters and sounds with a fun song. Almost all kids like to sing, or at least listen to you while you sing along. I suggest that you play it while your child is playing with his toys, while driving in the car, while taking a bath, anytime and anywhere. Becoming familiar with the letters and sounds is the first step to reading success. In my school class, it is almost background music so that it quickly becomes second nature to them.

The blending concepts taught with Frontline are wonderful. Many phonics programs teach the letters and sounds and then jump right to reading, leaving out the important step of blending. Frontline handles this beautifully. Their stories are easy to read and understand, but still interesting enough to interest an older child, like your son. I believe that teaching phonics in the beginning and building on that solid foundation is the key to reading success. There are some great phonics programs out there, and some good help for parents who are home schooling or tutoring on their own. Frontline is the best one I've seen. I've seen it work over and over again for younger readers and for struggling readers. Good luck and enjoy the process of working with your children.

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How does the Frontline Phonics program teach the sight words that are included in the stories? Are they introduced within the lesson plans as needed, or is it expected that the child will simply learn them as he/she reads the books?

The sight words used in the Frontline Phonics books are taught pretty much as they read the books. In my class, when I introduce a new book, I specifically talk about the sight words in that book—I spell them, I show them to the child as we read through the book, and show them to the child at the front of each book. If they have trouble with a sight word, I make them a flashcard to take home so they can repeat and memorize how that word looks and sounds. The sight words are very simple (especially during the beginning books), and it doesn’t take them long to realize that there are some words that just have to be learned, but there are many words that the rules apply to.

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We are currently using your program and are pleased. Please provide some recent research on the benefits of your program. I'd be very interested to read some recent articles about the benefits of the phonics programs.

First of all, I'm glad to hear of your success with Frontline Phonics. I use it everyday in my classroom and have had tremendous success with it.

I'm smiling as I write this answer to you because I'm the one who writes the lead article every month, and I can't get much more current. I deal everyday with 384 three and four year olds in a private preschool setting. I'm right on the cutting edge (or bleeding edge as I sometimes refer to it) of the preschool/reading scene :o) so I'm trying to be current by being right smack dab in the middle of if all.

That said, a few words about phonics vs. sight word programs. It is an ongoing debate in education, and probably always will be. Obviously, Frontline is a phonetic based program, I use it, see the results and am a huge proponent of phonics based programs and introductory phonetic reading. Understanding phonetics helps a child have the ability and confidence to attack an unknown word and sound it out. Sight based reading uses memorization techniques to memorize words in our language and then recall them to be able to read them. Now in English, there are several exceptions to rules as you no doubt know, but there are rules first, and exceptions second. Phonetic based programs teach the rules, give the child the skills to reason out a word, and then allow for exceptions, instead of asking the child to memorize every word in our language.

Proponents of each program could argue their points eloquently and endlessly, and have many good and solid ideas on each side. I have learned a few other languages in my scholastic career, and I find it interesting that when you go to learn another language, you always start with a phonetic understanding of how the alphabet goes together in that language. I think the principals hold true as we give our children the tools and skills to figure out our written language.

You obviously have had success with the phonetic approach and that is wonderful to hear. May you have continued success and enjoy the process of working with your child.

PS--as the school year ends at my school (we go September-May), we have 99% of our 4 year olds reading on an introductory first grade reading level or higher--it seems to work :o)

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What is the main importance of teaching reading through Phonics?

Thanks for writing. That's a fairly loaded question. You could ask 27 first grade teachers that question and get 25 different answers. So here a few words about phonics vs. sight word programs. It is an ongoing debate in education, and probably always will be. Obviously, Frontline is a phonetic based program, I use it, see the results and am a huge proponent of phonics based programs and introductory phonetic reading. Understanding phonetics helps a child have the ability and confidence to attack an unknown word and sound it out. Sight based reading uses memorization techniques to memorize words in our language and then recall them to be able to read them. Now in English, there are several exceptions to rules as you no doubt know, but there are rules first, and exceptions second. Phonetic based programs teach the rules, give the child the skills to reason out a word, and then allow for exceptions, instead of asking the child to memorize every word in our language.

Proponents of each program could argue their points eloquently and endlessly, and have many good and solid ideas on each side. I have learned a few other languages in my scholastic career, and I find it interesting that when you go to learn another language, you always start with a phonetic understanding of how the alphabet goes together in that language. I think the principals hold true as we give our children the tools and skills to figure out our written language. Hope that helps a bit--Good luck to you.

DISCLAIMER:
Online “Ask a Coach” replies of www.frontlinephonics.com should be used for general advice purposes only. Information given by our coaches is not intended to provide a basis for action in particular circumstances without consideration by a competent professional.