Should you buy a phonics book and teach your child to read yourself, or should you hand the task over to your computer?
From everything I’ve read, experienced, and learned, teaching a child to read from a simple phonics book will always trump a computer.
App Reward Systems
One of the perks phonics software programs tout is a reward system. It works like this: every time your child gets a correct answer when learning to read, he wins a virtual prize.
Play the game, win the prize.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that your child needs prizes to learn to read; it's better that he doesn't have them.
We know that intrinsic rewards are superior to extrinsic rewards.
Instead, you want your child to experience the greatest reward that no computer can ever provide: the excitement and joy in learning how to read for reading’s sake, not for a prize.
Apps & the Love of Reading
While teach your child to read is one thing, you also need to guide him to develop a love of reading. The more senses you involve, the more enjoyable the experience becomes.
With a book, he will touch it, smell it, see it, and hold the book in his own hands. Let him experience a three-dimensional world that engages all of his senses, not the sterile two-dimensional world of technology.
How brain dimming is the world of technology!
Education psychologist and author, Dr. Jane Healy said:
“Time on the computer might interfere with development of everything from the young child’s motor skills to his or her ability to think logically and distinguish between reality and fantasy.”
Note that Dr. Healy said, “might.” That’s because her book was written in 2004. Studies now prove that her predictions were correct.
E-Readers
We know that children who read on e-readers have less comprehension than children who read books in print. The children using e-readers get distracted by the gadget itself and don't focus as well on what they're reading which leads to poorer comprehension and poorer focus.
Poorer focus then leads to a weaker memory which leads to lower intelligence.
It’s a slippery slope.
If you have the choice to read from a real book vs. an e-reader, what's the point in reading on a device that lowers your comprehension? Sometimes travel might warrant it, but never for a child.
There is no reason a child would ever need an e-reader.
The Propaganda
I saw this quote on a blog post recommending phonics software programs, and it summed up the problem to perfection:
"In fact, students whose parents played an active role in their literacy education were more likely to read at least 10 books per year."
Such a claim is misleading because it has nothing to do with the phonics software and everything to do with a parent’s encouragement of reading a real book.
Furthermore, any competent homeschooler will tell you that their child reads a lot more than ten books per year!
To any observant parent, the software company is revealing its deceptive marketing tactics, because a child who only reads ten books per year is not a child who loves to read.
Ten books a year is nothing. Ten books a year is what a lousy reader will read.
Your goal for raising a competent reader will be far greater than ten books a year.
Take the road of time-tested methods and teach your child to read like people used to do in the days when our literacy rates were soaring. Don't let a misleading software company fool you.
You don't need ABC Mouse or any other dubious software programs to teach your child to read.
If you have a child who has reached the reading-readiness age, you can experience the joy of teaching him or her to read in no time at all with a simple phonics book.
I've done it myself, and I've spoken to hundreds of mothers who have done the same. These are mothers whose children read a lot more than 10 books per year, too!
The homeschooling moms I teach would laugh at such a paltry number.
No Computer Can Replace You!
When you teach your child to read, you share in that great moment of joy when he first unlocks the code to phonics and reads his first word alone.
Would you want a computer to intrude on that priceless moment?
If your child is ready to read, teaching him or her is as easy as pie. In my experience working with children and parents, with a little guidance any parent can successfully teach their child to read. This, dear reader, is a well-known fact.
So tell me, which will you choose?
A phonics app or a phonics book?
Don’t miss our free download, Ten Books Every Well-Educated Child Should Read.
Teach your child to read before sending him to school! Learn more about Elizabeth's unique course, How to Teach Your Child to Read and Raise a Child Who Loves to Read.
For parents of children under age seven who would like to prepare their child for social and academic success, please begin with Elizabeth’s singular online course, Raise Your Child to Thrive in Life and Excel in Learning.
When you join the Smart Homeschooler Academy online course for parents, Elizabeth will make homeschooling manageable for you. She’ll guide you in helping your kids reach their intellectual potential and developing good character.
As a homeschooler, you will feel confident, calm, and motivated knowing you have the tools and support you need to homeschool successfully.
Elizabeth Y. Hanson is a homeschooling thought-leader and the founder of Smart Homeschooler.
As an Educator, Homeschool Emerita, Writer, and Love and Leadership Certified Parenting Coach, Elizabeth has 21+ years of experience working in education.
She has developed a comprehensive understanding of how to raise and educate a child, and she devotes her time to helping parents to get it right.
Elizabeth is available for one-on-one consultations as needed.
