For most children, the use of rhythm and song can be especially effective for learning facts. With visual reinforcement added to the mix, learning opportunities become even richer. This package of two videos delivers approximately 100 minutes of phonics songs and drills in a logical progression. It uses upbeat songs about phonics that help reinforce letter sounds and phonics rules, as well as printed words and demonstrations onscreen. The result is a product that effectively involves a number of children's senses and truly teaches and reinforces basic phonics rules.
Beginning with a song that helps kids remember vowels, viewers are taken through a series of rhythms, demonstrations of phonics rules, examples, and drills. The consonants lesson in Volume 1, for example, opens with a consonants song, then introduces each consonant and its associated sound with a set of three simple words beginning with the letter. After this, consonant sounds and short words are cycled through and reinforced. The letter Tt is shown along with the word "ten," for example, and the onscreen mouth says "te te ten".
Once vowels and consonants are introduced, children are shown how they combine to create simple words and sounds through repeated visual and audio reinforcement. Plenty of practice reading three-letter words is then provided, and kids are encouraged to read the words on the screen before the host does (the responses are deliberately delayed for this reason). However, they are also told it is fine to read the words aloud along with the host, or after as well. Subsequent lessons provide instructions and practice with consonant blends in both ending sounds (like "lk," "lf," "st," and so forth) and beginning sounds. Later, three-letter consonant blends come into the picture. Special sounds like "ch" and "tch" receive added attention with songs that present the message that these sounds are fun, and a lesson is provided demonstrating how silent e changes short vowel sounds to long ones (as in "can" to "cane").
The simple format of the videos works very much in their favor. The backgrounds rarely call attention to themselves, so that kids have their eyes on the more important matter at hand. Letter sounds and words are pronounced clearly, and an onscreen mouth is shown reading them.
Rock n Learn Phonics is responsibly produced, providing only encouraging words for kids and a clear message to parents that sessions with the videos should be short for maximum effectiveness. It is important that the latter advice be heeded so that kids don't get discouraged as lessons become more difficult. Though the pace is fine for review purposes, it can seem fast for children who haven't yet absorbed the featured lessons. Since the set is not designed for watching in one sitting, parents should be on hand to stop the video just before their child's interest level wanes or the content becomes overly challenging. As well, they can repeat lessons to help with retention before moving on to the next sequence.
Only the first 10 minutes or so of the program will be appropriate for most children just learning letter sounds. In fact, this program is best for kids who are a little beyond the beginning stages of learning to read. For children just taking off in reading, this set provides excellent practice with common words, as well as helpful phonics lessons that give them a powerful tool for attacking words they don't learn on these tapes!
Though the program provides some visual and audio variety, the format can be repetitious. This set is a learning aid after all, and it serves its purpose very well. We found Rock n Learn Phonics to be thoughtful, logical, and very engaging on the whole. Our testers included a child who is just starting to take off in reading, and another who is able to read most words. Both enjoyed the set, and though they didn't ask to view it again, each time the videos were played, they stopped what they were doing and gave it their complete attention. The younger tester has had the most to learn with the tape, and needs breaks in order to keep pace. Her reading and word attack skills showed noticeable signs of improvement after viewing sessions of the tape. Although our older tester wasn't learning many new things, the tapes acted as a powerful review and a confidence booster, as well.
The same program is offered in audio format, which is ideal for extra practice in the car. Children who require more practice with basic letter sounds should turn to Rock n Learn Letter Sounds before they can benefit from Rock n Learn Phonics.
