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Time 4 Learning Review

Monday, July 14th

2025 Learn to Read Program Reviews

Time 4 Learning Review 1.5 Star Rating

Time 4 Learning

1.5 Star Rating
  • $29.95 per month for elementary students, 30% off additional students
  • Automated grading and reporting
  • Pop-up offers, like 10% off the cost of subscription
  • Customer support available through phone, email or chat
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Start, stop, or pause membership anytime
  • Over 1 million customers over 20 years
  • PreK-12th online curriculum
  • 24/7 access to 3,500+ lessons and activities
  • Automated grading & reporting

Time 4 Learning's learn to read program is a popular platform with over 1 million customers over 20 years. They've kept up with technology to create an online curriculum geared toward homeschoolers, but it will work for those who want to supplement school or keep up skills during school breaks. This program has a beautiful website and has a history of mostly good reviews. But, there are some problems, like software glitches and recent changes that have frustrated parents. It has a hefty price tag, so it's important to do your research before committing to purchase.

Great for beginning homeschoolers

If you are trying to start a homeschooling journey and lack confidence, Time 4 Learning will not just help your child learn to read, but will act almost as a teacher's assistant and school administrator for you. From making sure you are schooling to meet state requirements, to grading and preparing progress reports for you, Time 4 Learning will definitely save you time and help to reduce the stress of record-keeping.

Making it easy to teach all the way through high school

If you are planning on teaching your child at home through high school, you will not have to worry about changing curriculum if you don't want to. You will also have the option every year to personalize the curriculum, customize the pace and schedule of different classes, and you can have Time 4 Learning help you to prepare transcripts and grades in order to meet state homeschool requirements.

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View a demo before committing to purchase

Time 4 Learning offers an online demo of their program on their website so you can get a feel for what the curriculum is like before signing up.

Hard-to-find pricing and invasive data gathering

While we appreciate the level of personalization that Time 4 Learning offers, we did not like that pricing is hidden until you go through a process that involves entering personal information about yourself, your child, and where you live before you can even see a price point. We also had to sign up for an account before we could see if they offered an annual discount or not. We wonder if they count accounts or actual subscribers for their marketing claims. In the fine print, we read that because we signed up we were agreeing to receive marketing materials from them. This was a big negative.

Low-quality graphics and music

Specific to the learn to read grade levels (K-3), we found that the graphics and music were low-quality and lacking. Some moms reviewed Time 4 Learning and said their children didn't want to use it after one time, as they weren't engaged. While looking at the demos, we were unimpressed with the presentation of the curriculum and the videos were sometimes even eye-wateringly ugly.

Active online community

Time 4 Learning has a beautiful online presence - the website is well developed and laid out nicely, and the social media channels are very interactive. It is obvious they spend a lot of effort engaging their subscribers. It's nice to see real-life pictures of families who use the curriculum, and they even have online activities like "Homeschool Spirit Week” to encourage that sense of community and fun. It is actually a rare thing to see this much online engagement in a learn to read program. We are truly impressed with their robust social media presence and their dedication to bringing a sense of belonging to all their students.

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Complaints of imitative conversations that may be undesirable

While potty humor is an easy way to get a laugh from a child, many parents are not happy with Time 4 Learning's inclusion of this in the curriculum. From stories about "stupid babies” to characters saying they like dictionaries to look up words like "poop”, examples abound of crass humor and sometimes developmentally inappropriate content. More examples include references to passing gas, murder and jokes like "If you're born in a bathroom, you're a pee-an - get it? European?” and things like that. It just doesn't seem necessary at all, and can lead to kids imitating this behavior, which often is disruptive in group settings and actually in a classroom would not be welcome. We are mystified as to why a curriculum would include things like this. There are also things in the curriculum that seem to border on prejudice or racial slurs. This is not what we would expect from something that is on the higher end of the price points for online learning programs.

Glitches and typos

Some parents complain that the Time 4 Learning online activities can glitch, causing students to have to start over. More problematic, though, are parents reporting that there are typos and misspellings in the reading curriculum. While this could be tolerated in another subject, misspelling in a reading curriculum is really embarrassing. Things like "glided” instead of "gilded' and missing capitalization for "English” are just examples of typos that should never have been published.

Recent problems with updates

People who've used the program for many years are recently reporting frustration with online updates. They complain that there aren't enough updates for the recent price increases and that the new updates are causing problems. They wish that student reports would be available the same day so that parents can plan better for the following day. They also express that the newer version does not allow parents to assign activities by day and it has become hard to navigate. Tutorials constantly pop up even if you've already done them.

Some reviewers say their children used this program and fell behind

Some reviewers say that when their children were temporarily homeschooled using this program, they fell far behind when returning to public school. Still others claim that there are too many crass jokes to try and get the kids to like the program and not enough learning. Still others say they like the program, but feel their children aren't learning enough or keeping up with other students in public school or other curricula.

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Auto-renewal, but satisfaction guaranteed

Time 4 Learning offers a 14-day money-back guarantee period. This offer is only valid for new members and does not include reactivated accounts. Cancellation policies are spelled out in fine print, and the membership does auto-renew, so be sure to calendar a cancellation if you don't want to be charged for a renewal. Time 4 Learning also reserves the right to raise their prices, but it won't affect your current month. This might be a sticker shock for those depending on the curriculum on a budget. It also appears they no longer offer an annual plan, so the prices could be raised on your subscription at any time.

Beautiful website, great community - but some problems

Any busy homeschool parent loves the idea of having someone else grade student work, and take care of state-mandated homeschool requirements and paperwork. The Time 4 Learning website does great at customizing curricula for individual students to align with personal goals and state requirements. It has a fabulous community on social media channels. But there are enough problems that we can only recommend this as a learn to read program with caution and an understanding that there may be problems that are not easy to spot at first glance with Time 4 Learning.

What's the Best Program to Help a Child Learn to Read?

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).

The Best Learn to Read Programs Compare Learn to Read Programs Compare Learn to Read Program Reviews What are the best Learn to Read Programs Best Learn to Read Program Reviews

Learn to Read Program FAQ

All ages can use these programs. Programs and courses have material suitable for all ages to use. Whether it is Pre-K, Elementary, middle school, high school levels, or adults there are programs that can help anyone learn and improve their reading skills.
Most learn to read programs are self-paced and allow the customer to learn the material at their own time. On average each course can take about 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the length of the material given. For most effective learning, it is recommended to plan out the courses ahead of time, and to review course material, when available.
Depending on the company and type of course, the cost can range anywhere from $49.99 to $199.99. Monthly plans can range from $6.99 to $30 per month. Having additional students on one course plan, with some companies, can reduce the cost per month.
Depending on the company you consider, there are typically multiple levels of learning from beginner to expert. Most companies organize difficulty with the age of the student. Courses are typically divided into the following structured categories: Pre-K, Elementary, middle school, or high school levels. Keep in mind, several companies only go up to 8th grade, rather than offering levels for high-school students. Be sure to read the details before selecting a plan.
Yes, depending on the type of plan you choose. Be sure to read the details of any course you intend to purchase.
Of course, companies offer several different learn to read programs and are committed to customer satisfaction. Some companies even offer a free 2-week trial (no commitment), 30 days from the date of delivery to request a full refund, 14-day money-back guarantee, and more.
Kids learn to read when they can identify individual or combinations of letters. Next, they connect those letters to sounds (talking and listening). Having a good program that has systematic teaching about phonics is key for a child to being able to learn how to read. Phonics is a method of teaching a person to read by correlating sounds with individual or combinations of letters.
On average, most children begin to read around the age of 6 or 7 years old. Some children even learn as early as 4 years of age. As a bit of advice, keep in mind that even if your child has a head start in learning how to read, his or her peers may eventually catch up - and that's ok.
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Continued from above...

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:

  • Price. How much does the learn to read program cost? Does it offer a good value for the money - are there resources and tools, updated content, and quality that meet the price point? Is there an annual commitment? A money-back guarantee? Is the price subject to change?
  • Age range. Is the program suitable for the age of the child(ren) you want to help with their reading progress? Is it developmentally appropriate for the ages it services? If you are looking for a consistent curriculum, does the program continue for older age ranges?
  • Teaching method. Does it follow a phonics-based or sight-word-based approach? Is it disability-friendly? Does it utilize too much screen time, or does it offer off-screen learning as well? Is there a lot of parent involvement, or does it lean toward independent learning? Does it include any physical activity? Does it include print material?
  • Reviews. What are parents and educators saying about this program? Does it have a positive or negative reputation? How long has it been around? Is it backed by scientific studies? Have there been any litigations or controversies surrounding it? Have people with similar educational philosophies and values found it to be helpful? How does it rate for children with dyslexia or ADHD? These are all excellent questions to ask when searching for a learn to read program that meets your specific needs.
  • Updates. Is the learn to read program updated? How recent are parent reviews or awards? Does the website have broken links or outdated information? Are social media channels updated consistently? If you are using an app or an online platform, is it updated for security and new software enhancements?
  • Spelling and writing. Does it include a program to teach spelling to your child(ren)? Is there a trace feature so children can learn to write? Does it offer printable worksheets for handwriting practice, or is it all online?
  • Full program or supplemental. Does the program offer a full reading curriculum (like a homeschool curriculum)? If so, does it align with state requirements? Is it meant to reinforce other programs or help struggling readers catch up over the summer?

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!

Compare Learn to Read Programs

Select any 2 Learn to Read Programs to compare them head to head

best-learn-to-read-products
  • Hooked On Phonics
  • Kiz Phonics
  • Scholar Within
  • Duolingo
  • K5 Learning
  • Phonics In Motion
  • ABC Mouse
  • Homer
  • Reading Raven
  • Time 4 Learning
  • Reading Kingdom
  • Reading Eggs
Hooked On Phonics vs Kiz Phonics Hooked On Phonics vs Scholar Within Hooked On Phonics vs Duolingo Hooked On Phonics vs K5 Learning Hooked On Phonics vs Phonics In Motion Hooked On Phonics vs ABC Mouse Hooked On Phonics vs Homer Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Raven Hooked On Phonics vs Time 4 Learning Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Kingdom Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Eggs Kiz Phonics vs Scholar Within Kiz Phonics vs Duolingo Kiz Phonics vs K5 Learning Kiz Phonics vs Phonics In Motion Kiz Phonics vs ABC Mouse Kiz Phonics vs Homer Kiz Phonics vs Reading Raven Kiz Phonics vs Time 4 Learning Kiz Phonics vs Reading Kingdom Kiz Phonics vs Reading Eggs Scholar Within vs Duolingo Scholar Within vs K5 Learning Scholar Within vs Phonics In Motion Scholar Within vs ABC Mouse Scholar Within vs Homer Scholar Within vs Reading Raven Scholar Within vs Time 4 Learning Scholar Within vs Reading Kingdom Scholar Within vs Reading Eggs Duolingo vs K5 Learning Duolingo vs Phonics In Motion Duolingo vs ABC Mouse Duolingo vs Homer Duolingo vs Reading Raven Duolingo vs Time 4 Learning Duolingo vs Reading Kingdom Duolingo vs Reading Eggs K5 Learning vs Phonics In Motion K5 Learning vs ABC Mouse K5 Learning vs Homer K5 Learning vs Reading Raven K5 Learning vs Time 4 Learning K5 Learning vs Reading Kingdom K5 Learning vs Reading Eggs Phonics In Motion vs ABC Mouse Phonics In Motion vs Homer Phonics In Motion vs Reading Raven Phonics In Motion vs Time 4 Learning Phonics In Motion vs Reading Kingdom Phonics In Motion vs Reading Eggs ABC Mouse vs Homer ABC Mouse vs Reading Raven ABC Mouse vs Time 4 Learning ABC Mouse vs Reading Kingdom ABC Mouse vs Reading Eggs Homer vs Reading Raven Homer vs Time 4 Learning Homer vs Reading Kingdom Homer vs Reading Eggs Reading Raven vs Time 4 Learning Reading Raven vs Reading Kingdom Reading Raven vs Reading Eggs Time 4 Learning vs Reading Kingdom Time 4 Learning vs Reading Eggs Reading Kingdom vs Reading Eggs
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