Reading is fundamental. This basic skill paves the way for a child to be successful in school and then adulthood. Reading enhances imagination, which is a huge part of childhood. Every parent and caregiver wants his or her child to read. Most parents do not realize that there is a very simple tool available for them to each their child to read that is easy to follow, inexpensive, and self-contained. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann, Phylis Haddox, and Elaine Bruner is a phonics based reading program designed for children as young as three. This program takes 20 minutes a day and after 100 lessons your child will be reading at a 2nd grade level. This program is the best beginning reading program that builds a firm phonics foundation.

The Parent’s Guide is a comprehensive chapter which explains the program and teaches parents how to use it. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a teacher intensive program. Parents sit beside their child and teach the entire 20 minute lesson. Immediate feedback and correction are given. There is nothing worse than practicing something the wrong way and creating a bad habit. It essential to correct errors immediately.

Being animated and cheery throughout the lesson will make the time fly!  My girl actually fight over who gets to pull “the reading book” off the desk. Mind you, my younger daughter just turned three a few weeks ago but she is incredibly proud when she points to the sounds in the book and correctly identifies them.

Parents may worry about  the “funny letters” in the story. Don’t worry, the brilliant creators of this program systematically fade them out.  Each day the child will write down select sound which further commits this sound to mastery.  Children begin reading simple stories during Lesson 13.  The first story is three words (see me eat).  Stories are accompanied by single photos that help build comprehension.  You will be amazed at what your child is reading by the time you reach Lesson 100.

This book is based on research (and lots of it).  For more information please visit startreading.com

My brief history with this program: In college I worked as a therapist for a boy with autism.  We used the sister program Reading Mastery to teach him to read in his home program since he wasn’t learning this essential skill at school.  I immediately became hooked on how easy this program was for me to teach followed by how quickly my student was learning.  After graduate school I taught for a year at a charter school which utilized Direct Instruction programs for language, reading, and math.  My ESL children learned to read!  When I became a parent it was an obvious choice what I would use to give my children a head start with reading.

My older daughter is 4 years, 4 months old and is on Lesson 28 of this program.  I am ashamed to admit that it is my fault we do not do lessons on a more regular basis.  I could insert a million excuses, but instead I am going to commit to reading more!  Here is a video of her reading the story in lesson 28.  I was keeping it real with an untidy house and amateur videography.  :wink:

Teaching other about saving money and Direct Instruction are two things I am very passionate about. I believe that every family needs a copy of this book and that every preschool should be utilizing it. The current price on Amazon is less than $13. For thirteen dollars you can give children the skill of a second grade reading level. To me that is priceless. I am beyond excited that one lucky Coupons are Great winner will receive a copy of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  A huge thank you goes to the Association for Direct Instruction for sponsoring this giveaway.

Win it!

Prize: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

Number of Winners: 1

Giveaway End Date: February 14th, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EDT

Eligibility: This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

Random Selection: One winner will randomly be chosen and will be notified via email. He/She will have 48 hours to respond to that email or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory Entry!

Leave a comment with telling us which little person in your life this book is perfect for.

Additional Entries: (just in case you want them)

(Complete the Mandatory Entry and the Additional Entries for five total entries and five total comments. The mandatory entry must be completed before the optional entries count).

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Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for this post. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.  The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment.