Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

I am a huge fan of this book. I found the book and started using it when my daughter was 4. Within about 60 days she could read any easy reader from the book store. It was amazing and she was so proud of herself. It really did only take about 15 minutes a day although we did not do the writing activity. My daughter was reading chapter books (Junie B Jones) going into kindergarten and read the American Girl Doll books in 1st and 2nd grade. She is going into 3rd grade in Sept. and I think she is reading and comprehending at about a 6th grade level.

Wow, what a trek down memory lane. I had that book many years ago. I think it was over 10 years ago. I used it with daycare children through the years. After awhile I didn't need the book anymore and gave it to a parent. Most of my kids learn a lot between 3 and 4, but real reading happens between 4 and 5.

I used it for 4 of my children. I started using it around 4 or 5 but for 3 of my children, this was too young for them so we just practiced. One of mine finished this book at age 5 and was reading fluently by then but my other three went through this book well at age 6-7. My others were ages 7-9 before they were reading fluently but they all did okay with the book and learned to read. My 4th child hated it until he started getting the hang of reading. My others liked it okay.

My son (first child) was not enthusiastic about the book, but he DID want to learn to read. So we did it and he was a fluent reader at 4 1/4. (We started the book at about 44 months old).

My daughter (who is 3 years younger than our son) wanted me to teach her when she was not quite 3 1/2. We tried it for 2 lessons and she just wasn't quite ready, and it was Xmas so I was busy. I put it away until January, and then she took off with it. She finished the entire thing before her 4th birthday b/c she loved it so much she would do multiple lessons a day in the early part of the book.

We DID do the writing, but not with pencil and paper. I just got out a magna-doodle and let them use that without any lines. It really did help reinforce the sounds the letters make. My daughter was reading Henry & Mudge, Frog & Toad, and much more at 4 years (and I mean JUST 4... like, 48, 49 months)... she is still an avid reader and currently has about 4 different books going. Her latest pick is the Indiana Jones Trilogy (based on the movies) that she picked up at a closing Borders a couple of weeks ago. It is as big as a Bible. She just turned 10. She just loves books. Always has. Our son is a good reader (capable), but he is just not as much "into" books as my daughter (or my husband and myself for that matter).
I would say that my son has a shorter attention span and had a harder time staying focused (thought he did manage to do it, it was just harder for him) and his favorite part of the lesson was guessing what was going to be in the picture at the conclusion of each day's lesson (you cover it up while they are reading---it helps them learn comprehension skills).

I will also say that my son (now 13) still has a bigger issue with staying focused on tasks like reading, while my daughter does not. She is also considered "gifted", so the age at which she whipped through the book might be a little younger than some kids are ready. The book does recommend they be around age 4, I believe. Can't remember for sure. It's been awhile. But I found the layout of the book worked very well, and the tips and wording for the parents to use when teaching really do work. Be sure to read the introductory section at the front of the book that gives specifics about what NOT to do. :)

P.S. If you haven't gotten the book yet, be sure to check out Amazon, they have gently used copies for $10. And since you don't write in the book, being used doesn't matter unless the kids scribbled in it to the point you just wouldn't want to use it. If you think you'll want to use it more than once (with future children) then I'd buy a new copy so you'll know it will hold up through all the kids. :))

Yes, 4.5, and yes
I taught all three of my little ones with this method and would use it again if I had more kids.
IN the schools they were using the whole language approach. My oldest had the toughest time until I sat down and taught him phonics. When the others came along they could all read before kindergarten, using this method.
It only takes a couple minutes a day, maybe 20.
INstead of writing on paper all the time we used all sorts of materials. Clay, playdough, plaster of Paris, sand, paint
I used the Scholastic Readers with 100 Lessons.

I have used it with a few of my children. Those who used it did very well with it and enjoyed it. I didn't do the handwriting part of the lesson though. And, we would sometimes do two or three lessons at a time, depending on their interest that particular day. My kids usually go through it at about age 5, but it could be earlier or later, depending on the child. Their reading skills are quite good by the time they are finished with the book.

I've never heard of this method. The best way to teach your child to read is to simply read to your child and track the text with your finger as you do so. I did this with my daughter and she was reading independently at three, with no formal reading lessons.