The oldest didn't have the full advantage of "Tad", but she's an avid reader (too avid sometimes) at age 7.
By 8th grade... sheesh.
I hate to compliment a PBS show, but my girls learned their letter sounds from Sesame Street. Letter sounds is the tedious part. Once they know that, putting the sounds together is a piece of cake.
We used Blumenfeld’s book, Alphaphonics, which goes for about $20. I understand that it’s significantly less expensive than 8 years of schooling. They miss out on some fabulous socialization, though.
I... honestly don’t remember where I learned the letter sounds. Probably Sesame Street as well, but it’s been a long time. But I do remember that I taught myself to read at age 2 just from getting my hands on some library books and what little I remembered from TV.
Then again, I’m mildly autistic, so reading was something that came naturally to me. Social skills, far less so. This made me one of the most hated people in the school among my peers.
The up side is that I managed to go to one of the few competent public schools left, and they made sure to teach me on my level, even if it meant pulling me aside with a bunch of other gifted students.
Of course, nowadays being smart is something to be ashamed of in public schools...
The oldest didn't have the full advantage of "Tad", but she's an avid reader (too avid sometimes) at age 7.
By 8th grade... sheesh.