Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Do you have a little one who is ready to learn to read? My kindergartener just spent the past month using Reading Kingdom, and I’m excited to share the ins and outs of this easy-to-use program.
What is Reading Kingdom?
Reading Kingdom is an online reading software program for kids ages 4-10. Kids progress from beginning readers, or from knowing no letters at all, to a third grade reading and writing level. Early readers, accelerated readers, and struggling readers can all benefit from Reading Kingdom.
Reading Kingdom requires internet access, a computer, and preferably a mouse. We didn’t have a mouse, but my son was already familiar with the trackpad on our laptop, so it wasn’t an issue for him.
Children take a placement test to be placed at their own customized level in the program.
Reading Kingdom Teaches Six Essential Skills
Since the English language is so complex, kids need more than a strict phonics approach to learn how to read. Dr. Marion Bank, a literacy and language specialist, developed the program to cover six essential skills: sequencing, writing, sounds, meaning, grammar, and comprehension. Here are some examples of where I could see these skills in the program at my son’s level.
Sequencing
Sequencing involves putting words or sentences in order. In this example, the child had to rebuild the sentence by choosing words from below.
Writing
Children are asked to type words to fill in the blanks. “Type swim.”
Sounds
Children need to listen to the sounds in words to fill in the letters.
Meaning
Meaning is another skill that is incorporated into the Reading Kingdom program. In this example, the child is asked to click on the ones that can talk.
Grammar
Grammar is introduced as children progress into sentence building. They learn to use upper case letters at the beginning of sentences, commas, periods, and questions marks.
Comprehension
The books help teach comprehension skills. The pictures highly support the text. Kids can use the pictures to help them decide what words fit the story and then reread the sentence when they’re finished.
Our Results
My son used Reading Kingdom five days per week for the past four weeks. He was able to complete 68% of Reading/Writing Level 1 or 17% of the entire program. He finished four of the six books for Level 1. According to his progress report, his performance was “very good.”
From my own observations, I know he learned a great deal during these short four weeks. He learned how to spell difficult words, like “bird” and “talk” that I wouldn’t expect him to know at his age. He also mastered many more sight words.
Although I’ve introduced the concept of upper case letters at the beginning of sentences and punctuation at the end, it wasn’t until he started using this program that I’ve seen him remember to use them!
Benefits of Reading Kingdom Online Program
Customized to Fit Your Child
Lets you skip over words if your child already knows them. For example, my son was asked to type the word “rest” and since he got it correct, he didn’t have to waste time or get bored doing something he already knew.
Child Can Use the Program Independently and Successfully
You don’t have to intervene to help your child know what to do. Once my son figured out how to use the keyboard in the first couple of lessons, he took pride in not needing me. Because the directions in Reading Kingdom are clear and simple, your child won’t get frustrated.
Your child can also use Reading Kingdom independently and successfully because the software gives hints and assistance if he or she doesn’t respond in the allotted time. (The default time can also be adjusted to give more or less time to suit your child.)
For example, a graphic with the word drops down from the top center. Then the instructor tells the child to type the missing letters. If the child doesn’t respond quickly enough, the word drops down again and the voice tells her to “type these letters.” Each letter is highlighted to give more support. Then, if the child still fails to respond in time, the program fills in the letters for the child. Each time, greater support is given if the child needs it.
Graphics and Sound Effects Kids Like
The graphics are colorful, attractive and include fun sound effects. I like how there is not too much filling the screen. The graphics provide a beautiful surrounding, but the focus is on the letters and words.
Short Lessons
Lessons are short. Each day kids complete a lesson that consists of fifteen to twenty-one steps lasting from 15-30 minutes.
Emphasis on spelling
In Reading Kingdom, children are constantly spelling words in different activities. They might have to fill in missing letters or type complete words. Sometimes they have to visually discriminated between words that often look alike. For example, they might have to select the word bird among a list of words that include brid.
Reading Directionality
When kids learn to read they have to train their eyes to move from left to right and top to bottom. There are activities in Reading Kingdom where kids have to search for letters or words working from the left to the right. If they skip a word as they scan, a buzzer will sound and they must go back to find the word they missed. Activities like these help kids get in the habit of correct reading directionality.
Other Comments
Kids using this program become familiar with the keyboard. Instead of using a mouse or keypad to click on a correct response, they often have to type out words or missing letters in a word. The program shows a diagram of a keyboard highlighting only the letters and keys they will be using.
Occasionally you might find that an exercise misses the mark for your child. In the screen below, my son had to use the keyboard to find the corresponding letters. I think the intention was to help him to learn to spell the words, but he didn’t make that connection. To him letters were falling at random. He was not able to predict what would come next.
I pointed out to him that he was spelling words like cats, some, and birds, but it didn’t help him go any faster. It took him a long time to find the letters on the keyboard too, so it made this session drag on.
My son looked forward to opening his reading passport at the close of each session. This is a fun little reward for kids to anticipate for every 20,000 points they earn.
Ready to Try Reading Kingdom For Free?
You can get a free month trial Reading Kingdom to get familiar with the program before committing to purchasing. A subscription is $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. Additional kids in your household can be added for 50% off.
My son enjoyed learning to read on this kid-friendly beautifully animated software. If you’d like to read more reviews about Reading Kingdom or ASD Reading, another online program created by Dr. Blank, go to Homeschool Review Crew.
