We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Monday, July 14th
Scholar Within transforms reading into an innovative, multisensory experience that not only boosts students' literacy skills but also enhances their overall learning abilities. Scholar Within employs a comprehensive approach, incorporating numerous offline activities that stimulate the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning processes, thereby improving the retention and efficiency of information. Despite the abundance of worksheets and other tactile materials available, Scholar Within offers these print materials at an additional, reasonable charge, eliminating the need for daily printer use. Scholar Within not only caters to homeschool families, but also provides a Summer Reading Program focused on reading skills for students from kindergarten to the 8th grade. A learning disabilities expert and board-certified educational therapist designed the program to be disability-friendly. While the price tag is higher than most, this is a fully comprehensive curriculum that can change the way children learn for life. We think Scholar Within is a learn to read program worth checking out.
When Duolingo's ABC learn to read program first launched in 2020, it was a pretty basic, bare bones app short on features and somewhat repetitive. Parents would get frustrated at the lack of features and complain. The company listened to user feedback and transformed this basic little app into a simple yet powerful learn to read program. With offline play capability, consistent rewards for play, and educator-backed games and other activities, as well as it being a free app with absolutely zero ads or in-app purchases, Duolingo's ABC learn to read program has impressed us. We wish they had a desktop version, but we can't help but be pleased with the vast improvements they've made in the app in a short amount of time.
Choosing the best learn to read program is a daunting task because every child is unique and learns differently. But there are a few tried and true ways to narrow down your search to find a perfect program that can help a child learn to read.
While every child is unique, there are some tried and true methods to teach literacy that have stood the test of time and are pretty universal in application. These are teaching reading and literacy through a phonics emphasis (teaching letter sounds) or a sight words emphasis (teaching children to memorize common words in the English language).
Phonics tends to be easier and more helpful since children can come across an unfamiliar word and, with the help of phonics, sound it out. Sight words tend to be trickier because memorization is favored over learning. This can also be problematic in spelling, too. If children don't understand phonics, they have a more difficult time spelling unfamiliar words.
Learn to read programs can utilize these principles in tailored, customized ways that fit with the individual student, and that is where you can really decide which program is best for your child. Some learning programs focus on games while others make use of songs. Still others have a multisensory approach, which works well for children who have disabilities or problems focusing. Some programs are not just for reading but offer a comprehensive curriculum.
As you consider different learn to read programs, there are a few key aspects you'll find to be most important:
To help your child learn to read, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the top programs available today. We're confident that this information will make it simple and even fun to find a learn to read program that is perfect for your emerging reader!
Select any 2 Learn to Read Programs to compare them head to head