Is My 2nd Grader Behind in Reading? 9 Signs
Wondering if your 2nd grader is behind in reading? Here are the real warning signs, what 2nd graders should be able to do, and what to do next if your child is guessing, slow, or stuck.
Read More →Reading Blog
Expert tips and guides to help you teach your child to read
My 5 Year Old Can't Read: What to Do This Week
If your 5-year-old can't read yet, don't panic — but don't wait and see either. Here's what age-5 reading should look like, when to worry, and the phonics plan I'd start this week.
Read More →
Reading.com vs Teach Your Monster to Read: Parent Pick
Choosing between Reading.com and Teach Your Monster to Read? Here’s the no-fluff parent pick from Xia Brody: what each app teaches, where it falls short, and which reading app I’d use for kindergarten phonics.
Read More →
HOMER Learning App vs ABCmouse: Reading Skills Compared
Choosing between HOMER and ABCmouse? Here’s the no-nonsense reading comparison parents need before handing over the iPad. I compare phonics, decoding, app structure, pricing, and what actually helps kids sound out words.
Read More →
Best Reading App for a Struggling Kindergartner 2026
If your kindergartner is guessing words from pictures, that’s not reading. Here’s my no-nonsense 2026 comparison of kindergarten reading apps, with Teach Your Kid to Read ranked first for systematic phonics.
Read More →
Best Reading App for a 4-Year-Old with Dyslexia Signs: My Top Pick
If your 4-year-old mixes up sounds, guesses from pictures, or avoids letters, don’t wait and see. Here’s my tiger-mom ranking of reading apps that help — and the ones I’d skip.
Read More →
Reading Eggs vs ABCmouse for 5-Year-Olds: Best Pick
Choosing between Reading Eggs and ABCmouse? Here’s the no-fluff mom verdict on which app actually teaches a 5-year-old to read — and where both fall short.
Read More →
My 5 Year Old Can't Read Reception: When to Act
If your Reception child isn't reading yet, don't panic — but don't drift. Here's how to tell normal early reading from a real phonics gap, and what to do this week.
Read More →
My 1st Grader Hates Reading: 7 Fixes to Try Today
If your first grader won’t read, don’t panic—but don’t wait. Here’s how to tell whether the problem is motivation, decoding weakness, bad books, or all three.
Read More →
Is My 5 Year Old Behind in Reading? Age-by-Age Signs
Wondering if your 5-year-old should already be reading? Here’s the no-panic, no-waiting checklist for age 5 reading milestones, warning signs, and next steps.
Read More →
Reading Apps for 5-Year-Olds: 6 Skill-Level Picks
Most reading apps for 5-year-olds look cute. Too many teach guessing, tapping, and screen-zombie habits instead of real decoding. Here’s how I’d pick a phonics app by skill level if I were sitting at your kitchen table.
Read More →
Best App for Kids Who Know Letters But Can't Read
Your child knows the alphabet but still can't read words? That's not laziness. It's a blending problem, and the right phonics app can help you fix it fast.
Read More →