The Read pillar is the foundation for the other four, and, therefore, must be done first or at the same time as the others.
Each pillar will focus on teaching the 1,700+ high frequency words that are covered in the Read pillar, but they will do so from their own unique perspective of the word.
Reading a word is not the same as spelling, writing or defining it. Separating these skills helps each skill to be able to fully develop the word for use within its own pillar.
All of these pillars are essential to having a complete understanding of our language, but, as we said, we do not hold to the belief that they have to be taught at the same time.
If you have a child who is old enough and has the capacity to do all four simultaneously, than by all means, do so! But, if you have several young children, as we do at this moment, who are at various development and patience levels, then feel freed from the burden of having to do all of these pillars at once.
Have you ever noticed that children will want to listen to a new song or watch a new movie over and over and over and over and over…
Well, you get it.
Why do they do this? Repetition is essential for memory retention.
Now, exploit that! Because to be able to remember a word instantly (or really for your brain to sound it out so fast you feel like you are reading it instantly) you must see a word several hundred times!
We have built repetition into the course as much as possible, which may seem repetitive to an adult…but, remember, that’s the idea.
However, the course can only do so much. Reading to your child is a powerful way to help them see the words he is learning in the course in the context of a real story.
We recommend finger-guided reading, so the child can track where you are and begin to pick out words he knows.
For more on this curriculum, download our free Parent Guide.