Teaching your child to read is important, especially if they homeschool or are not grasping it correctly at school.  Also, the best WAY to teach reading is through phonics.

Well, what if you're not a teacher or you don't know how to begin?  You want to make sure that your child has a well-rounded reading education that is to be the foundation for all other education but you're lost when it comes to trying to find the right curriculum.

I was kind of in the same boat.  I was homeschooling my daughter and trying to teach her to read but the curriculum that I was using just didn't seem to work for her.  She needed something to hold her attention with exciting visuals while at the same time teaching her - that way it felt more like she was playing a game instead of learning.

That is when I began searching the internet for some answers.  There were lots of choices.  There were even programs with visuals and interaction.  But when I came across the Headsprout Online Reading Program, I felt like that I had found my answer. 

On the site, there are wonderful testimonies from parents who have had success with the program. The program has won awards including, "Best Online Curriculum."

What really won me over was when I saw that the Memphis City Schools have began using this program with their young students and that it meets the requirements of No Child Left Behind.

I was amazed when they even let my daughter try the first three lessons (called episodes) absolutely free before we made a decision. So, after researching the program thoroughly and letting her try the episodes,  I signed my daughter up for Headsprout.  We were both hooked.

 As already mentioned, the lessons are called episodes.  Each episode comes in short chunks, about 15-25 minutes each, and is completely animated with intriguing characters and sound effects.  The sounds or words they are learning are clearly displayed on the screen while the voice of "the teacher" says the sound clearly and distinctly.  The child then either learns to speak the sound/word out loud or plays interactive games using the sound/word until it is mastered. 

Another awesome feature of Headsprout is that it has adaptive technology that is able to "pick up on" how your child is learning the material.  If your child is having trouble grasping what is being taught then more drills and practice will be given.  By the time the episode is finished, your child will know the material.  However, if you want your child to repeat an episode there is an option to do so although it is usually unnecessary.

After each episode, a parent can access the progress report to see how their child did during an episode.  You can also access past episode grades and reports.

The program can be taken in 40 or 80 episodes.  (I chose the 80 and I would also highly recommend doing so).  If you choose the 80 episode program, your child will most likely be reading at 2nd grade level when the program is completed. 

In addition to the verbal praise that a child gets for accomplishing lessons in the program, they are also sent a colorful progress map in the mail so that after they finish an episode they can mark their map with a sticker (included) so they can see how far they've come and how far that they have yet to go.  My daughter loves to mark her map as it gives her a sense of accomplishment.

After certain episodes, you can access "Sprout Stories" which are little printable books that can be colored by your child.  The little books use the words that they have learned in the program and the child can use these to show others what they've learned.  Many of these little books have been made into "real" books and are mailed to you with the map.

Your child will already be reading sentences within the first few episodes. Emails will be sent to you after each episode telling you the sounds and words that your child can read.

Flashcards containing sounds and words learned can be printed off of the site as they're mastered so you can reinforce elements learned.

If you're child doesn't know his/her alphabet you may want to teach that along with basic sounds before the program as it doesn't teach the alphabet. However, this it not necessary to guarantee their success.

All in all, this program requires almost no parental involvement. You just sit back and let Headsprout do its job. However, when you are required to listen to your child read you will enjoy watching their progress and praising them.

Well it's good news.  Headsprout will let you try out the first three episodes free so that you can get an idea and feel of the program.  Then, once you are signed up, you can try the program for 30 days with a money-back guarantee.  If you aren't hooked and you're not happy with how your child is learning then you can cancel and receive every penny back that you paid.  If you want to enroll more than one child, they also offer discounts.

The cost of Headsprout Early Reading Episodes 1-40 or 41-80 (purchased separately) for the first learner is $99.00. Shipping and handling within the US is $4.99.   The cost of the same program for an additional learner under the same account, is $49.50 + $4.99 (within US).

If you have a credit card, they also offer an easy payment plan.  (Which I used).  It's very convenient if you don't want to or cannot pay all at once.

So in my opinion, it will be worth every penny spent.  To check out their website follow this link.  Hope this was helpful!