Learning Reading Hub
English vowels are tricky. Most people think English has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u (and sometimes y). Simple enough, right? Well, not exactly! English actually has around 20 vowel sounds, depending on the accent. Compare that to: That’s a big jump, and it helps explain why English vowels can feel overwhelming. Today we’re […]
Adding suffixes to words in English can feel confusing at first. Sometimes letters disappear, sometimes consonants double, and sometimes spellings change in unexpected ways. However, it’s not all unexpected or illogical… Not at all! Below are 7 spelling rules for adding suffixes in English, explained step by step with examples. However, first things first… What […]
Fast Phonics is a phonics app that often flies under the radar — mostly because it’s bundled inside a Reading Eggs subscription. And I’ll be honest right from the start: while Reading Eggs isn’t my personal favorite overall, I’ve shared my perspective on it openly before. However, Fast Phonics is a different story. In fact, […]
Most parents assume that learning to read begins when we start teaching letters. And while being aware that letters exist, that they represent sounds, and having some familiarity with them is definitely very helpful once formal reading instruction begins… reading preparation actually starts much earlier. Long before children read words, they develop pre-reading skills that […]
I bet you already know that in English some letters are considered vowels, and others that are consonants. But… why? Do you know what the actual difference between a vowel and a consonant is? And even more importantly: Why are vowel sounds usually harder for children learning to read… and even for adults learning English […]
Today, we’re exploring a surprisingly little-known reading app called Funnix. Now, that might not ring a bell yet… but what if I told you that it was created by Siegfried Engelmann, one of the authors of the classic Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons? Yes… that book! The one so many families […]
If you’ve ever taught a child to read (or you’re in the middle of doing so) you’ve probably wondered: Should I teach letter names or letter sounds first? It’s a common question, and one that has sparked a lot of debate. Let’s look at what research has to say about this, what makes sense developmentally, […]
Looking for the best books for two to five years old to help them develop pre-reading skills? Reading aloud is a super powerful tool for early literacy. Sharing stories together helps children learn new vocabulary, familiarize with the sounds in words and language patterns, and develop a love for books. To make it easier for […]
*Affiliate Disclosure: Some links lead to Amazon marketplace. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you). This helps keep the information on the blog free and available to everyone. I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: my new book, “The ABC Sound Book: Playful Phonics Stories for Every […]
Today, we’re going to talk about one very common mistake I see all the time when it comes to teaching reading. And no, it’s not phonics vs. whole language vs. the balanced approach to teaching reading—also a very important conversation, by the way, and I’ve covered this topic several times in previous articles, like this […]