One of the most valuable gifts that you can give your child is the gift of literacy. While there are many resources one can turn to in order to teach a child to read, I chose to teach my boys using a website called Headsprout. From my perspective, Headsprout nailed the lesson plan from multiple dimensions:
- Fun: Uses a number of gaming metaphors
- Multiple levels of rewards: inter-lesson rewards, end of lesson rewards, milestone books, progress posters, etc.
- Fast paced
- Engaging
- Varied
- Easy for a child to use
- Great supplemental materials: extra books that can be printed out and used to reinforce lessons
- Bonus: Teaches your child the basics of computer use: mouse control, etc.
The proof is easy to see. Not only can my boys read, but more importantly, they ENJOY
reading! My second grade son just finished reading Eragon, a 497 page fantasy novel. My kindergartener enjoys reading easy-to-read books to his baby brother and reading the nutritional labels on the packages of all of our food purchases. I suppose it’s never a bad idea to know your phosphorous intake. At least, I’ve never been more aware of it. Thank you, Headsprout!
