Phonics for Homeschool Moms | Kindergarten Reading Curriculum, Home Reading Tutor, Child Has Dyslexia, 1st Grade Reading

This is a podcast for MOMS teaching beginning or struggling readers at home! 🧔

Worried you won't be able to teach your Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grader to READ at home? Overwhelmed by curriculum choice, wondering which Kindergarten Phonics and Reading Curriculum is best?Ā 

Wondering HOW to help your struggling reader? Could she have dyslexia?Ā 

ā“Do you find your child guessing at words? NOW is the time to take a deep dive into SIMPLE PHONICS SKILLS as a MOM, so that YOU can raise a STRONG, CONFIDENT READER!

Hi there, I'm Melanie. Wife to Bill and mom to 3 hard-working young adults. As an Ontario teacher, turned online reading curriculum creator, reading tutor and phonics coach for moms, I have a heart 🧔 for helping MOMS of beginning and struggling readers! 

I help MOMS learn SIMPLE PHONICS SKILLS, so they can TEACH THEIR KIDS TO READ WITH CONFIDENCE!

NO MORE SAYING, "But, I'm not trained as a teacher!"Ā 

10+ years TEACHING students to become strong, confident readers in a classroom setting, tells me that PHONICS is the FOUNDATION to SUCCESSFUL READING.

ā˜‘ļø Ready to ditch curriculum overwhelm, know exactly where to start when teaching your child to read? It's time to get simple phonics skills in your back pocket, so that you can confidently teach your child to read to become a strong, independent reader!

TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO READ IS GOING TO BE SIMPLER THAN YOU THOUGHT!!

Episodes

4 hours ago

13 min

Did you know that SMART kids get reading tutors? You've typed 'reading tutor near me' in search, but actually booking the call leaves you feeling stuck. You know you and your child would benefit from a home reading coach [a.k.a. reading tutor], but the narrative in your mind is leaning towards all the negatives:
Your child isn’t supposed to need a reading tutor, so you immediately shut down the idea of reaching out to a phonics-trained reading tutor with early reading intervention teaching experience, who you know could help our child.Ā 
People will think you haven’t tried hard enough to help your child read.
You think that signing on with a reading tutor always requires a long-term investment of time and money.Ā 
I’m here to challenge these beliefs you have about hiring a reading tutor. What if getting a reading could help you:
Get reassurance that you and your child are on the right track for phonics instruction at home?
Choose a dedicated time to increase your child's reading focus with a reading tutor online?
Increase your child's confidence and resilience as a reader with a fresh face, while you take a temporary break from wearing both 'mom hat' and teacher hat'?
Do you have a question about teaching your child to read? Has the podcast helped you in some way? Leave Melanie a SpeakPipe voice message!
Get your Phonics 101 Guide for MOMS!
Join our Phonics for Homeschool MOMS Community!Ā 
Did you know I help homeschool families as a Home Reading Coach [a.k.a. reading tutor]? Start with a Confident Reader Kickoff Call!
Get your copy of TEACH YOUR K-2 CHILD TO READ: From CVC Words to Confident Reader!
Ā 

4 hours ago

13 min

Sep 28, 2026

15 min

Is your child struggling as a reader? It's time to learn the 6 syllable types for 1st grade reading:
Open Syllables
A syllable that ends in a consonant and has a short vowel sound (examples: cat, dog, sit).Ā 
Word with 2 closed syllables, each having a short vowel: rab-bit, sun-set, in-sect
Closed Syllables
A syllable that ends with a single vowel and makes a long vowel sound (examples: he, go, me).Ā 
Words can be made of open and closed syllables: ba-con, mi-nus
ā€˜Silent E’ Syllable
Ā A vowel followed by a consonant and a silent ā€œeā€ makes the first vowel long (examples: bike, cake, note)
Pan-cake (closed syllable + ā€˜silent e’ syllable)
Be-side: open syllable plus ā€˜silent-e’ syllable
Vowel Team Syllable
Ā Two or three letters work together to create a single new vowel sound (examples: rain, boat, meat).
Words with 2 vowel-team syllables: meat-loaf, oat-meal, light-bulb
R-Controlled (Bossy-R) Syllable
Words with 2 r-controlled vowel syllables: hay-fork, or-chard
Ā A vowel followed by the letter ā€œrā€ changes or controls the vowel’s sound (examples: car, bird, corn)Ā 
Consonant + ā€˜-le’ Syllable
Ā A final stable syllable contains a consonant followed by ā€œ-leā€ at the end of a multi-syllable word (examples: table, bugle, little, cattle).
Only appears at the end of multi-syllable words, or multisyllabic words, never single syllable words
Ā 
Now that you know the 6 syllable types for 1st grade reading lessons at home, it’s time to figure out which syllables your child already knows, and the next of the 6 syllable types to teach.
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Did you know I help homeschool families as a Home Reading Coach [a.k.a. reading tutor]? If your child is struggling to grasp phonics concepts, or you just need someone to take phonics lessons off your plate in a busy season, start with a Confident Reader Kickoff Coaching Call!
šŸ“© Get the Phonics 101 Guide for MOMS!
Join the free FB Community!Ā 
Have a question about teaching your child to read? Has the podcast helped you in some way? Leave Melanie a SpeakPipe voice message!

Sep 28, 2026

15 min

Sep 21, 2026

17 min

How many syllable types are there? There are six syllable types! WHY does this matter? When your child knows the six different syllable types, spelling multisyllabic words (words with more than one syllable) becomes simpler.Ā 
In today's episode, you'll learn the six syllable types your child needs to know, so that he/she can become an accurate speller. Syllables are named according to six different vowel types.Ā Because each syllable has either a short or long vowel sound, spelling by syllable type makes spelling simple!
Six Syllable Types:
Closed Syllable
Open Syllable
'Silent e' Syllable
Long Vowel Teams Syllable
R-Controlled (Bossy R) Syllable
Final Stable '-le- Syllable
Ā 
Did you know I help homeschool families as a Home Reading Coach [a.k.a. reading tutor]? If your child is struggling to grasp phonics concepts, or you just need someone to take phonics lessons off your plate in a busy season, start with a Confident Reader Kickoff Coaching Call!
3 Ways to Stay Connected with Melanie:Ā 
šŸ“© Become an INSIDER! BONUS: Get the Phonics 101 Guide for MOMS!
Join the free FB Community!Ā 
šŸŽ™ļø Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode!
Have a question about teaching your child to read? Has the podcast helped you in some way? Leave Melanie a SpeakPipe voice message!
Ā 
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Sep 21, 2026

17 min

Sep 14, 2026

22 min

Struggling to create a simple Bible devotional routine with your kids? Meet Samantha Watson, creator of iDevote Bible Devotionals for Kids!
When you teach your child to read, you're teaching them the skills needed to read God's Word, the Bible, for themselves.Ā Samantha's latest Bible devotionals for kids, The Lord is My Shepherd and Psalm 23, teach your child how to have a quiet time with God!
Samantha leaves room right on the page for your child to copy the Bible verse. Did you child get an idea about the verse he/she wants to share? There's room for that too! Join Samantha and I as we share how learning to read Bible devotionals for kids make an impact in your child's spiritual journey with God!
Ā 
Did you know I am a Home Reading Coach [a.k.a. reading tutor]? Is your child struggling to grasp phonics concepts? Want a simple reading assessment for your child, so that you know your child is on track as a reader? Book a Confident Reader Kickoff Coaching Call!
Looking for a doable phonics curriculum? Get Melanie's TEACH YOUR K-2 CHILD TO READ: From CVC Words to Confident Reader!
Have a question about teaching your child to read? Has the podcast helped you in some way? Leave Melanie a voice message!
Ā 
šŸ“© Become an INSIDER! BONUS: Get the Phonics 101 Guide for MOMS!
Ā 
Ā 

Sep 14, 2026

22 min

Sep 7, 2026

22 min

Wondering where to start when teaching your child to read in Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade? Which phonics lesson should you teach first? How many weeks should phonics lessons take?Ā 
Kindergarten Phonics Lessons — 1:1 matching between alphabet letters and sounds
1st Grade — 'silent e', r-controlled vowels, long vowel teams & dipthongs
2nd Grade — prefixes, suffixes, doubling spelling rule, alternate spellings
88. Letter Sounds to Reading CVC Words: 3 STEPS to Make the LEAP!
Did you know I am a Home Reading Coach [a.k.a. reading tutor]? If your child is struggling to grasp phonics concepts, start with a Confident Reader Kickoff Coaching Call!
Have a question about teaching your child to read? Has the podcast helped you in some way? Leave Melanie a SpeakPipe voice message!
Ā 
šŸ“© Become an INSIDER! BONUS: Get the Phonics 101 Guide for MOMS!
Ā 
Ā 

Sep 7, 2026

22 min

Aug 31, 2026

12 min

Wondering if you should hire a reading tutor? Do you feel your child is behind in reading? Could your son or daughter have Dyslexia? Does your kiddo struggle to sound-out simple words and memorize sight words? Is your child reluctant to read out loud with you?
3 Reasons Parents Say, "Yes" to getting a reading tutor:
You’re worried your son or daughter is falling behind in reading — phonics GAPS (not your child).
Your child is showing signs of Dyslexia.
Asking your child to read out-loud with you turns into nothing short of a reading battle at home.Ā 
Ā 
Join the Community: Kindergarten Reading HACKS for Homeschool MOMS!
Reading Curriculum: TEACH YOUR K-2 CHILD TO READ: From CVC Words to Confident Reader!
šŸ“© melanie@phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸŽ² PHONICS BUMP GAMES MEGA BUNDLEĀ 

Aug 31, 2026

12 min

Aug 24, 2026

36 min

Ā Elan Page, host of the Homeschool Our Way podcast, empowers black families to reimagine education! Homeschool Our Way is the go-to podcast for moms of colour who are ready to start homeschooling with confidence and clarity. Why can't 'Black History Month' be 365 days a year?
She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping other families of color access the freedom and fulfillment that homeschool offers.
Amid the challenges of balancing work and education, Elan and her husband discovered the empowerment that came with crafting their children's education to fit their unique needs and interests.Ā 
Empowering black families to reimagine education through homeschooling
Start homeschooling with confidence and clarity
Balancing work and homeschooling
Get Elan's Homeschool Kickstart Bundle!
PBS Learning Media (free learning resources)
Heritage Packs (multicultural lesson guides)
K-2 Reading Curriculum: TEACH YOUR K-2 CHILD TO READ: From CVC Words to Confident Reader!
Join the Free Community: Kindergarten Reading HACKS for Homeschool MOMS!
šŸ“© melanie@phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸŽ² PHONICS BUMP GAMES MEGA BUNDLEĀ 

Aug 24, 2026

36 min

Aug 17, 2026

13 min

I see you there, inside the homeschool FB groups. You're asking for reviews of this curriculum and that curriculum. You're typing 'homeschool phonics kindergarten' or '1st grade reading curriculum' in search, but what comes up? Every curriculum from every homeschool publisher ever created!
Now, you have more questions than answers — How expensive is it? Will it work for me and my child? Is it offline, online, or a combination of both?Ā 
ā€˜Curriculum overwhelm’ hits fast, so you shut your laptop, because you’re afraid of making the wrong decision, spending your hard-earned dollars on the wrong thing, again!Ā So, instead of actually getting a curriculum to act as a guide, you put off ordering curriculum altogether!!
If you’re a homeschool mom, agonizing over the perfect curriculum, it doesn’t exist. But, the good news — great curriculums do!
Reading curriculum that...
You need simple — Click. Print. Teach.
You feel is worth the investment.
Gets your little reader small reading wins every lesson!
Ā 
Register for the STRONG READERS MASTERCLASS!
Get 3 Sample Phonics Lessons & Video Training
šŸ“© melanie@phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸŽ² PHONICS BUMP GAMES MEGA BUNDLEĀ 

Aug 17, 2026

13 min

Aug 10, 2026

16 min

You’ve done the flashcards, the workbook pages, maybe even a curriculum switch or two, and your child still stumbles over simple words? You’re starting to feel frustration creep in, and maybe even some mom-guilt when reading doesn’t magically ā€˜click?
I know how hard you’re working over there to help your little reader, and how hard your child is working to read the next word. When reading doesn’t yet ā€˜click’, this is not a reflection on your effort in teaching your son or daughter to read, nor is it an accurate reflection of your child's true ability to read.Ā 
Prompting your child to sound out some words is normal. BUT, if you find yourself prompting your child to sound out almost every word on the page, it’s time for a different approach.Ā 
5 Phonics HACKS when reading doesn’t magically ā€˜click’:
multisensory letter sounds learning
sound 'chunking' instead of sounding-out every letterĀ 
micro-lessons over marathon sessions
decodable stories matched to the focus phonics lesson skill
FUN phonics games for engaging repetitionĀ 
Ā 
Strong Readers Masterclass Sign-up!
JOIN our FB Community 🧔
Website: https://phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸ“© melanie@phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸŽ² PHONICS BUMP GAMES MEGA BUNDLEĀ 

Aug 10, 2026

16 min

Aug 3, 2026

17 min

You've tried 'winging it' as a homeschool mom teaching phonics, but you end up feeling more scattered than ever! It's Sunday night, and you're already wondering what you're teaching your child in tomorrow's phonics lesson. But, there are so many free alphabet worksheets. You're listening to what other moms are saying inside FB groups online, yet, you have no idea how well their kiddos are reading. Do you even need curriculum?Ā 
You have so many questions:
Will this curriculum work for my child?
How expensive is this phonics curriculum?
Is this reading curriculum online or offline?
Will my child like this phonics curriculum?
Is this just another homeschool curriculum that collects dust on the shelf?
If you you want to feel more at peace and less scattered as a homeschool mom, here's the truth: a simple curriculum can help you feel:
More at peace and less scattered
Eliminate gaps in phonics instruction
Provide a simple reading routine for both you and your child (BTW - Kids thrive on routine!)
My thoughts? Yes, you need a simple phonics & reading curriculum as a guide! When you're ready, TEACH YOUR K-2 CHILD TO READ: From CVC Words to Confident Reader, will help your beginning and or struggling reader meet ALL the reading milestones to become a strong, confident reader!
Strong Readers Masterclass Sign-up!
JOIN our FB Community 🧔
Website: https://phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸ“© melanie@phonicsrulesforkids.com
šŸŽ² PHONICS BUMP GAMES MEGA BUNDLEĀ 

Aug 3, 2026

17 min

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