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My oldest basically taught herself to read. I can take very little credit.
So now I have my second and I've been at a loss. I've essentially been piecing together a phonics program, which is what I did first time round, but she is not reading yet. She can sound out 3 letter words and even many blends and spell words too if she sounds them out, but when its time to read, she gets hung up in the sounding it all out and can't read. She gets frustrated immediately and I can do little to get her back on track so I just read for her- pointing at the letters/words as I go. I'll be honest that not much reading has been happening lately...
So we will be starting beyond this summer and I just don't know what I should do for phonics/reading. She gets frustrated at the easy sounf=ding out of words and the silly little books we have but she isn't ready for more...
By this same age my oldest was reading the little house series, which is insane...I know! But I just have nothing to compare!!
Any advise?

Thanks in advance!!

I don't know that I can give you much advice, but I can empathize with you!

My ds took off with reading and now reads way above his grade level. My dd (5 1/2 yo) has had a lot of struggles.

However, I found these things helped her...maybe they'll help your dd?!

We switched from 100 Easy Lessons (which my ds used successfully but my dd did not like) to The Reading Lesson. My dd LOVES the computer program that comes with it and does it a lot on her own when I'm busy with my ds. She began with just a page a day - sometimes just a column or a few words for a day if she was really frustrated. Just this week she wanted to read FIVE pages yesterday! I was amazed! She's currently in Lesson 5.

I made a bookmark (piece of construction paper that is about 5"x11" in pink - her fav color) with a "window" (about 2"x1") cut in it to isolate each word. I realized she was having trouble with a lot of print on the page and not being able to see just the single word or even single sound. She has gotten to the point where she'll still use it for words or turn it and just isolate an entire line.

Creativemommy

That is a great idea! I might need that when teaching TRL this fall:-)

I've only taught one kiddo to read so far, so I don't know how much help I'll be. We used Reading Made Easy and found it to be very effective. Maybe a new approach will help?

thanks for your input ladies!!
I guess I am going to bite the bullet and pick a program and just keep working at it. It's hard to balance encouraging and providing opportunity with pressuring and frustrating the child!

Thanks again!

What great advice you've had already! I think that it be actually be such an encouragement to dc to start a different phonics program, as it feels fresh and like a new opportunity to shine. Both "Reading Made Easy" and "The Reading Lesson" are excellent phonics programs, and there are lots of neat threads about them if you search for them. I think you and your dd will both enjoy starting something new together, whether it is one of those phonics programs or another. Have fun choosing!

In Christ,
Julie