This bonus episode features an interview with Spencer Russell, the dad behind Toddlers Can Read. Spencer struggled to learn to read as a kid, so when it came time to choose a career, he set out to help others avoid the same experience and took a job with Teach for America, continuing as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher in Houston, Texas. 

When he started teaching, Spencer's students were scoring well below average on national standardized tests. But by the time he stepped away from the profession, 60% of his students advanced 1.5 years in their reading skills, and over half scored at or above the 82nd percentile, earning him national recognition. After becoming a parent, Spencer focused on his son, teaching him letter sounds at 18 months.

By 2 years old, his son was reading on his own! Which is the genesis of Spencer’s program, Toddlers Can Read. So effective are his tips for teaching reading, his social channels have over half-a-billion views. We at Lovevery teamed up with Spencer to create the best at-home reading program in the world, The Reading Skills Set. 

Takeaways:

1. Make it a game: Children often learn literacy skills early when it feels like play. Teaching them to read sooner gives them more time to master these foundational skills.

2. Start simple: Begin with just three sounds and review them for a few seconds, multiple times a day. As your child grows, you can gradually extend the length of your practice sessions.

3. Turn learning into fun: Spencer suggests making the process playful. For example, have your child say the sound correctly before throwing a ball at the letter, making it an interactive game. 

4. Teach blending: Once your child grasps individual sounds, help them blend the sounds into words. Practice orally or using paper. For instance, review how “iii” and “nnn” makes “in” — slowly and patiently.

5. Feeling motivated? Here are 4 signs your child is ready to read:

   • They have strong oral language skills and can pronounce most sounds.

   • They show a good memory.

   • They can focus on sound games.

   • You feel confident in supporting their reading journey!

Spencer’s literacy materials can be found at ToddlersRead.com, including a free Beginning Reading Workshop aimed at empowering parents to teach their toddlers to read. Plus, get access to a limited-time, webinar-only discount on the new Reading Skill Set by Lovevery. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Lovevery.com 

ToddlersRead.com

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