Your Opinion on "Hooked on Phonics"

I used Hooked on Phonics with my daughter when she was 4 years old (she's 11 now). I thought it was a wonderful product. It was easy and fun to use, and my daughter got such a thrill out of learning how to read (I was so proud too). She could read by the time she went to kindergarten and is now in the highest reading group in her 6th grade class. It's a bit expensive, but it's worth the investment.

I think the concept of teaching/introducing phonemic awareness is important in the reading process. I have worked with Hooked on Phonics (the original "old" version) but I know they have improved upon it to make it more kid friendly. Seeing as your daughter is still preschool age, I wouldn't bombard her with too much too fast causing her to lose interest all together. One great book is How to Teach Your Child to Read by Siegfried Engelmann, which is also phonics based. Bob Books are also great introductory style easy readers for children showing initial interest in reading. The key for younger children is to make it fun! Fostering a love of books and words is more important than actual reading ability at this phase. Your child's future teachers will thank you for it! :)

Hi G.,

I'm a 1st grade teacher and I think Hooked On Phonics is one good tool but there are just basic things you can do with your daughter. Make sure she know's here abcs both upper and lower case, making an abc book with her and that way you can identify sounds associated with each letter and it is something she's done. Read, read and read even more. Another great book to read that is very simple is the Biscut books. They have very simple text which my son has memorized however that's the first step of beginning reading.

Good luck and I hope this has helped

I learned to read with the old hooked on phonics series and learned to read just fine. I've heard that some kids learn better through phonics and some better with sight words.

If you want a fun way to introduce literacy, I really like the Leapfrog "Letter Factory" DVD - your local library probably has it. It is followed by "Word Factory" and "Storybook Factory".

I used some of the books with my son, but not the whole series. I think it is a good program. Check out www.starfall.com my kids love that site. Like someone else said, the Letter Factory series by Leap Frog is great too.

I have used it, for two children and it is great. I am actually putting it for sale in our yard sale in two weeks so if you're interested in buying it much cheaper than buying it brand new, feel free to contact me at my email address. I still have all the original packaging and it is in perfect condition.

I haven't used hooked on phonics, but I did use "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Steps". It works amazingly well. Good luck to you.

HI G.,
I have 4 kids whom I have homeschooled all the way through. The eldest is graduating this year. For the first 3 I used the HOP program. For the last one I used Learning to read in 100 easy lessons. IT is very user friendly. I started with her when she was 3, as she showed all the signs of reading readiness. We finished the book when she was 5. There are alot of books about preping for K out there.

--C. W.
www.MyHomeCottageBiz.com
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Hi G.. My son used it (HOP) in Daycare and it was Great! DO IT!!!

I have not used this program, but my son just started kindergarten and will be going to first grade for reading. We just read a lot, and we read signs on the street and in store windows. I'm certainly not saying NOT to do it (as a 4th grade teacher, I always appreciate parents who understand that home should be the first and most important source of education). If others say it helps, go for it. But, I don't think it is necessary to spend big bucks on a program. Get some inexpensive books of all levels that interest her, and read to/with her. Repetition is a good thing. Making reading a natural, fun part of her life and she'll pick it up.

My dd (9 years old now) participated in a Hooked on Phonics program in her preschool. It worked VERY well for us and it was amazing to me how quickly she picked up reading. I remember sitting at a restaurant with her one week into the program and writing three and four letter words on a napkin and she was reading every one of them (at four years old). She also enjoyed the program - it was fun for her. This fun introduction to reading has made her a kid who loves to sit down with a book.