If you’re as old as me, you remember when Hooked on Phonics was something parents had to order over the phone. You might even remember the commercials on TV. And I have to admit I was surprised when I found out this company was still around. But you no longer have to make a phone call, and while you’ll still get something in the mail, it’s mostly all done online now.
But will your child really learn to read in 30 days? Let’s review the Hooked on Phonics Reading program, and decide if this is a good program to help kids learn to read, or if it should have just stayed back in the 90s with flannel shirts and baggy jeans.
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Hooked on Phonics Review – the Basics
So what is Hooked on Phonics all about? Well, it’s a learn to read app designed to teach reading to kids from ages 3 to 8. And if you sign up, you’ll also get access to 2 additional programs – Hooked on Spelling and Hooked on Math. Hooked on Phonics does not offer a free trial, but they do have an offer where you can get your first month for just $1, and that includes your first workbook and practice pack. And you can even get that $1 back if you end up not liking it within the first month with their money back guarantee.
If you do decide to keep the program after that first 30 days is up, it will cost $15.98 a month for up to three children. Once you sign up, you’ll need to download the app. You can download an app from the Microsoft store or the App store to use on a desktop computer. Or you can download the app on any IOS, Android or Amazon device. You’ll also need to download the separate Hooked on Math and Hooked on Spelling apps if you plan to use them.
Hooked on Phonics Levels
The Hooked on Phonics program has 2 different reading levels. Pre-Reader is where your child will start if they’re still learning about letters and the sounds they make. They recommend this level for kids ages 3 and 4. There are 12 steps in this mode, and once they complete those, they’ll move on to the Learn to Read mode.
Learn to Read is the level for kids who already know the basics. The steps are divided up by age and grade level – so steps 1 – 6 are for Kindergarten, or ages 4 and 5, steps 7 to 12 are for K – 1st grade or ages 5 – 6. Steps 13 to 18 are for 1st grade, or ages 6 and 7. And steps 19 – 30 are for 2nd grade, or kids ages 7 to 8.
There’s also Hooked on Spelling and Hooked on Math.
How Does the Program Work?
So when your child is ready to start practicing, they can just click the play button on the Hooked on Phonics app, or choose one of the other options. If they click the play button, it will open up the learning path, where they can start learning new phonics skills.
There are also additional options your child can choose from. Library will bring them to an area where they can choose a book from each step in the program. There’s also a section for games, music, and rewards.
The Pre-Reader and Learn to Read modes are set up the same way. The difference is that in the Pre-Reader mode, your child will be learning all the individual letters and the sounds they make, while in Learn to Read mode, they’ll start learning the sounds of groups of letters and individual words.
Hooked on Spelling introduces your child to common spelling patterns through fun activites and games, giving them a chance to practice their newly learned spelling skills. Hooked on Math is a math program for kids ages 3 to 9. You can choose between numbers and counting, math fundamentals, elementary math, and core math here.
Hooked on Phonics Parent Settings
So hopefully now you have an idea of how the Hooked on Phonics program works from the child’s perspective. But we do have a few more things to go over. First let me show you how you can change the settings and add additional children to your account.
In either app, click up on the top right and enter your birthdate to get to the parent settings. Under account, you can manage your subscription and change your password. If you want to manage your subscription, it’s going to bring you to their actual website to log in, not the app. And I just want to note, you’ll only have access to this if you sign up on their website first and NOT through the app. I have the link for you here where you can sign up for the 30 days for $1 and get those additional print materials in the mail. I honestly don’t know how it works if you download the app first.
So from this account dashboard, you can track the shipment of your print materials, view any additional purchases you’ve made, update your account info, change your payment info or cancel your subscription, and view special offers.
Back in the app, learner profiles is where you can add up to 2 additional children to the account. You can also edit your child’s info from there. In the phonics app, you can change the game room visibility, check off pre-reader or learn to read, and unlock all activities. You can also view your child’s progress through the program.
Hooked on Phonics Review – Additional Info
Ok so now that you know what the Hooked on Phonics program is all about, let’s just go over a few more important details. First, I just want to let you know that if you prefer to get the Hooked on Phonics program in print form instead of, or in addition to the online version, they do still offer that. You can find that on their website under “shop all products.”
This is not the same as the app I’ve just shown you. These learn to read kits include either DVDs or online access to video lessons which you get on their website. This is not the same as the Hooked on Phonics app that’s included with the other bundles. So if you’re looking for this option, be sure to pick one that includes the “Learn to Read” product. And you can actually watch the videos for free without even signing up. Just click on “free learning materials” from their website.
You can also order additional practice packs, math practice bundles, and book bundles.
How Will This Help My Kids Learn to Read?
Okay so now that we’ve seen the program, we still need to talk about how this is going to help your kids learn to read. So here are some things you need to know. First, the lessons each take about 20 minutes. They start with a video or song to introduce the concept. Then they use games and activities so your child can practice what they learned. Your child will also get some writing practice in the practice pack that’s included in your subscription. They’ll also put together what they learned by reading online books and the print books included in your practice pack (although at the pre-reader level you’ll need to read these books to them). Finally, they’ll celebrate success with in app rewards, stickers, and a certificate.
But how does this help your kids learn to read? What will they actually learn? Well here is what Hooked on Phonics has to say. In the Pre-Reader section, your child will learn the names and sounds for all the letters of the alphabet. They’ll also get practice writing these letters. So by the time your child finishes the Pre-Reader program, they should know all the letters and the sounds they make, and be ready to move on to the Learn to Read program.
In the Learn to Read program, children will progress to putting letters together and learning the sounds of word families, and they’ll also be introduced to sight words that don’t follow the normal phonics rules. Once they master the short vowel sound word families, they’ll move on to more advanced phonics skills.
Hooked on Phonics Review – Final Thoughts
So that’s everything I wanted to show you today about the Hooked on Phonics program. So now let me tell you my thoughts on it. I’ll start by telling you what I like about it.
First, I like that it’s simple for your child to follow. Unlike some other popular learning apps that can get super complicated with all the activities, with Hooked on Phonics the lessons are very straightforward and easy to follow. Just click the play button and get started. I also like that they include the practice packs, so your child can practice writing and reading in real life, not just on a screen. And I like that it teaches using phonics. I think the emphasis on sight words in a lot of early reading programs can actually make it harder for kids to learn to read. My 9 year old learned to read with phonics and I think it’s very important that kids learn the sounds of letters and letter groups before trying to read individual words.
What I Didn’t Like About Hooked on Phonics
Now for what I don’t like about the program. Well, for one, I think it’s really confusing that they have two separate programs. So I’m honestly not sure if you get more with the old fashioned Learn to Read program than you would with the app. I don’t know if the app is all you need, if you know what I mean. When my 9 year old was learning to read, we did a whole bunch of different things, including print materials, apps and games. So I don’t think you can just sit your kid in front of this program and call it a day as far as teaching reading. But I think it’s definitely a great supplement to whatever offline curriculum you may be using.
I also don’t like that there aren’t really any analytics to track your child’s progress the way other apps have. You can see which step they’re on, but that’s about it. So I wish there was a little more data that they could share with you.
If you have any questions on the Hooked on Phonics program, let me know in the comments and I’d be happy to answer.
Prefer the video version? Check it out below!
