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Reading Programs for Pre-K & Kindergartners

In our pre-K and kindergarten program, your child will build beginning phonics skills, learn to recognize common sight words, and start reading simple words and sentences, all while cultivating a love of reading.

Learning to read plays a huge role in your child’s experience in kindergarten.

Children at this age learn a lot of important phonics skills and need to practice, practice, practice to feel confident as they start reading. Developing a positive relationship with books motivates beginning readers to keep trying even when reading seems tough.

When your child takes one of our reading programs, you can be sure it will be a fun and effective learning experience. Your child will build the key skills for success in kindergarten and get really excited about learning to read.

Each Six-Week Online Program Includes:

  • Age-Appropriate Books tab arrow
  • Engaging Group Activities & Discussions tab arrow
  • Skill Development & Independent Practice tab arrow
  • 1-1 Support tab arrow
  • Certificate of Completion tab arrow
Age-Appropriate Books

Every program features high-quality picture books full of relatable characters and beautiful illustrations. These great books motivate and inspire beginning readers.

Engaging Group Activities & Discussions

Your child will participate in six dynamic, live online group classes led by a teacher who specializes in teaching core skills, facilitating thoughtful discussion, and bringing books to life.

Skill Development & Independent Practice

In between weekly classes, your child will complete interactive phonics and sight word lessons that build the skills necessary to start reading.

1-1 Support

Whether your child needs a little extra help, or you’d like to meet with your child’s teacher, one-on-one appointments are available. You’ll also have access to our on-demand Homework Helpline for added individualized reading support.

Certificate of Completion

At the end of the program, you'll receive a certificate of completion from the teacher with an overview of the core reading skills your child has learned.

Pre-K & Kindergarten Sessions

We offer five sessions for pre-k and kindergartners throughout the year. Each session features a unique set of picture books filled with wonderful stories and delightful illustrations, chosen specifically to engage and motivate young readers.

  • Summer

  • Early Fall

  • Late Fall

  • Winter

  • Spring

Summer

Summer Program for Pre-K & Entering Kindergartners

Available to Start in June and July

Where the Wild Things Are
A Town Called Hairyscary
Animals from A to Z
Around the World and Beyond!
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Caps for Sale

Enrollment Opens in February

Summer Program for Incoming 1st Graders >>>
Early Fall

Early Fall Program for Pre-K & Kindergartners

Available to Start in August and September

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
Oh A-Hunting We Will Go
Curious George Rides a Bike
The House on East 88th Street
Tacky the Penguin
Seven Silly Eaters

Enrollment Opens in June

Late Fall

Late Fall Program for Pre-K & Kindergartners

Available to Start in October and November

Dr. De Soto
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
A Visitor for Bear
Is your Mama a Llama
Wings: A Tale of Two Chickens
Animalia

Enrollment Opens in August

Winter

Winter Program for Pre-K & Kindergartners

Available to Start in January and February

Bitsy
Piggy in the Puddle
Make Way for Ducklings
The Snowy Day
Friends
Hot Dog
Cat Traps
I Like Bugs
View Winter Schedules
Spring

Spring Program for Pre-K & Kindergartners

Available to Start in March, April, and May

Blueberries for Sal
Corduroy
Harry the Dirty Dog
A Porcupine Named Fluffy
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore

Enrollment Opens in January

What Skills Will Your Child Gain in Our Pre-K & Kindergarten Program?

Phonics

Phonics instruction teaches kids the relationship between letters and the sounds they stand for. It is at the heart of how children learn to read. In kindergarten, students learn to match letters and their sounds, and begin blending these sounds together in order to read words.

When children develop early phonics skills in our programs, they have a big head start on learning to read. Over time and with practice, they feel a real sense of accomplishment and gain confidence and excitement about reading.

Sight Words

Sight words are the most common words kids encounter while reading, such as is, has, and the. Kids can learn to read these as whole words, rather than sounding them out. Many of these words have irregular spelling patterns or require advanced phonics, so it is much easier for young readers to learn how to recognize them by sight.

In our programs, children learn some of the most common sight words found in books for beginners. The more sight words kids know, the fewer words they have to sound out. This means that learning to read is faster, easier, and more enjoyable.

Reading Practice

As 4-year-olds and kindergartners develop early reading skills, they need practice using them to read short words and simple sentences. Lots of repetition and reinforcement gives them the confidence to keep building additional skills.

In our programs, kids get plenty of practice reading short, decodable online stories. This practice supports the phonics skills students are learning, with words that beginning readers can sound out.

Building a Lifelong Love of Reading

A positive attitude and love of books motivates students to power through the challenges that come with reading.

Our programs give students positive experiences with books that inspire confidence and enthusiasm about reading. Your son or daughter will want to read even more and will develop the habit of reading for pleasure that leads to a lifetime of academic and personal benefits.

Learn more about how a love of reading makes all the difference.

Now Enrolling Winter Programs

View Schedules

Trust Our Reading Expertise

  • 50+ Years of Experience tab arrow
  • Dedicated Focus on Reading tab arrow
  • High-Quality Teachers tab arrow
  • Integrated Approach tab arrow
  • Outstanding Book Selections tab arrow
  • Assessment Without Tests tab arrow
50+ Years of Experience

The Institute of Reading Development was founded in 1970. Since then, we’ve been endorsed by more than 200 of the country’s most well-respected universities and helped more than three million students succeed with reading.

Dedicated Focus on Reading

Unlike organizations that teach too many subjects and specialize in none, we’ve remained focused on what we excel at and love to do: teaching reading.

High-Quality Teachers

We are extremely selective in the teachers we hire. They must be intelligent, dynamic, and warm in their communication, with a knack for nurturing participation. Above all, they must have a personal passion for reading.

Integrated Approach

We provide a truly all-encompassing learning experience that combines group discussion with independent practice and one-on-one support. No other organization integrates skills instruction and guided book discussions the way we do.

Outstanding Book Selections

We're known for curating the best books for every age. The books in our programs are not only written at the appropriate difficulty level, but also tell exciting and relatable stories that students genuinely love to read.

Assessment Without Tests

Tests are often the antithesis of fun. Instead of focusing heavily on testing, we assess students' progress through their work with the teacher and performance on grade-specific reading exercises and activities.

Endorsed by Leading Colleges and Universities

Temple logo
UNCC logo
UCF logo
Regis logo
Hawaii logo
UCSD Extended Studies
loyola logo

We Excel at Teaching in an Online Environment

  • Virtual Program Pioneer tab arrow
  • Specialized Training tab arrow
  • Maximum Participation tab arrow
  • Varied Perspectives tab arrow
  • Small Class Sizes tab arrow
Virtual Program Pioneer

We introduced our online offering in 2014, making us one of the first educational organizations to offer live online programs for kids. To date, we’ve taught more than 150,000 students online.

Specialized Training

Our teachers understand every stage of reading development. They go through intensive training to ensure they are well-prepared to teach core reading skills in a virtual classroom - across all grade levels.

Maximum Participation

We structure our classes to ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Our teachers track participation and call on every student, making sure each child is comfortable and confident reading aloud and sharing their thoughts.

Varied Perspectives

Our programs bring together students from across the country, each with unique backgrounds. It’s a dynamic mix of perspectives you won’t find in any traditional classroom.

Small Class Sizes

We’ve found that the most engaging and effective classes have a max of 15 students. Our average class size is about 13 students, ensuring optimal participation opportunities and individualized attention.

We Make It Easy for Parents

Not only are our programs engaging and enriching for kids, we also strive to make the entire process as stress-free as possible for parents, providing robust support throughout the entire program.

View Parent Resources

From the blog

The Building Blocks of Early Literacy

There’s a lot that kids can learn about books and reading long before they start school. Read on to learn about the building blocks of early literacy, and how you can help your child get off to a great start with learning to read.

Read More about The Building Blocks of Early Literacy

Reviews

Read What Parents Have to Say

“Marcel loves jumping online to do his class. The teacher is fantastic and knows how to keep the young ones engaged.”

- Ines, Parent

Read More Reviews

Let the Adventure Begin!

Enroll your child in our pre-K & kindergarten reading program today.

Only $249
Plus $39 Materials & Shipping

Enroll Now

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Questions?
Call 1-800-470-2891

Our knowledgeable advisors can answer questions and help find a schedule that works for your family.

Questions? Contact Us!

  • (800) 470-2891
  • contact@readingprograms.org
Enroll Now

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