I Taught My Son to Read Before Kindergarten using the Toddlers Can Read Course
TLDR: I’m so excited my son learned to read before kindergarten. Looking for a Toddlers Can Read Discount code? Just click here or use code SONIA10 at checkout to save 10% off!
Last January, I bought the Toddlers Can Read* course to help my son learn to read before kindergarten. My initial goal was simple: I wanted him to be able to read basic text, like the first book in the Toddlers Can Read course titled Tap, which contains a lot of three-letter words. My hope was for him to gain introductory reading skills, where he could go through a book and read words like "pat" and "rat." I wanted him to know letter sounds and read simple words.
What I didn’t expect was that, over the course of the year, my son would become a completely fluent reader. Now, he can pick up books up to about a second-grade level and read them without any issues, which is incredible. Here’s an example:
Chapter 1: Super Yasmin
Chapter 2: Who Needs Help?
Chapter 3: A Real Hero
Yasmin is reading with Baba, and her stories are about superheroes. "I wish I were a superhero," Yasmin said.
I even have a clip of him from when I made the original review video, reading something like this:
"App tap. Tap tap. Pat pat. Rat. Pat. Cat. Here."
You can clearly see the progress he made over the year.
Moving Toward Chapter Books
I’m slowly trying to transition him to chapter books—the most basic ones with as many images as possible. While he has the capability to read all the words, his attention span isn’t quite there yet for books with more text and fewer images. That might be a goal for the future, but there’s no rush. He has the foundational skills, and that’s what matters.
Why I Chose Toddlers Can Read
Before I bought the course, I discovered Spencer at the end of December 2023. At the time, I was working on my own spending habits and trying to be more intentional with how I spent money. Teaching my son to read was really important to me, and Spencer’s teaching style resonated with me. Fun fact: we both did Teach for America, so we share a similar background.
But it was a big investment. If I bought the entire course with all the materials, it would cost around $300. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t making an impulse purchase, so I gave myself some time to think about it.
In the meantime, I used Spencer’s free content to introduce letter sounds and work on basic blending with my son. For example, I have a clip of him sounding out “bet” like this:
"Bet. Bet. Bet. Bet. Close. Bet."
It was exciting to see his progress!
DIY Attempts vs. The Real Deal
I tried to create a frugal shortcut by using printable flashcards I found on Teachers Pay Teachers. I printed them on cardstock I already had. They were okay for a while but didn’t compare to the flashcards that come with the program.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
My DIY flashcards: printed on blue cardstock with black ink (I don’t have a color printer).
The Toddlers Can Read flashcards: full-color, beautifully designed, and durable.
With two kids at home, durability matters. These flashcards give me peace of mind because they’re high-quality and can withstand rough handling. I eventually decided to invest in the official flashcards, which were part of the Ready to Read Bundle.
A Thoughtfully Designed Program
One of the things I love most about Toddlers Can Read is how intentionally crafted the materials are. The books progress in difficulty, with each one building on the skills from the previous one. For example:
Book 1: Focuses on a small set of letter sounds.
Book 12: Includes a much broader range of letter sounds and tricky words that don’t follow traditional rules.
Each book also comes with a guide that lists the specific skills needed, making it easy for parents to track progress. As a former special educator with a master’s degree in special education, I can see the value in this gradual, thoughtful approach.
Adapting for My Daughter
Now that my son has mastered reading, I’m starting to work with my younger daughter, who is three and a half. She’s younger than my son was when I began teaching him, so we’re taking things slower. I’m using the program from the very beginning with her, starting with letter sounds.
I even ordered a separate set of fairy tale-themed flashcards for her, which she’s excited about. This personalization makes the learning process more engaging for her.
Why I Recommend Toddlers Can Read
Whether you want to buy the full Ready to Read Bundle or just the books or flashcards, everything is available in the Toddlers Can Read shop. I love the program so much that I became an affiliate.
Looking for a Toddlers Can Read Discount code? Just click here or use code SONIA10 at checkout to save 10% off!
(Note: I do earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases, so thank you for your support!)
Final Thoughts
Toddlers Can Read has been a worthwhile investment for our family. It helped my son become a fluent reader and gave me the tools to teach my daughter as well. If you’re looking for a program that’s thoughtfully designed and effective, I highly recommend it.
And remember: progress doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start. 😊
*Affiliate Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission for qualifying purchases if you click on our links. This is at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
