The Reading Program Parents Trust to Help Kids Learn to Read
A Good Start Reading Program from Oli Kids Co.
If you’re looking for one of the best reading programs for kids, A Good Start Reading makes it simple. In just 10 minutes a day, parents can teach their child to read confidently and enjoyably—no teaching experience required.
Teaching your child to read—and finding the best reading program for kids—can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve tried other methods, only to see your child struggle to connect or grow frustrated. It’s hard to know what’s right with so much advice out there. A Good Start Reading makes it simple: in just 10 minutes a day, parents can teach their kids to read confidently and enjoyably, giving them the strong foundation they need for a lifelong love of reading.
Recipient of the 2025 Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources Award
A Good Start Reading program has been honored with the 2025 Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources Award by HowToHomeschool.com! This recognition highlights our commitment to equipping parents with practical tools to build a strong educational foundation for their children and designing a homeschool reading program that works for parents. We're proud to support homeschooling families in nurturing a lifelong love of reading.
About the Creator: Lois Wendus
Lois Wendus, owner of Leaps in Learning tutoring, is a retired teacher with 30+ years of helping children build literacy skills. Throughout her career, she witnessed too many parents frustrated with current reading programs for kids that either moved too quickly or didn't provide enough support. After hearing from so many parents in her tutoring business asking for a reliable way to teach their children to read, she knew something had to change. So, she created A Good Start to bridge the gap and offer parents a tool they could rely on. Drawing from her years of expertise, Lois crafted a program that is approachable, flexible, and designed to foster confidence in young readers.
Teach Your Child to Read at Home – No Experience Needed
You don’t have to be a teacher to help your child become a confident reader. With just 10 focused minutes a day, you can guide your child step by step using our simple, phonics-based approach.
Why 10 Minutes a Day Works
- Consistency builds confidence over time
- Short, focused lessons keep kids engaged
- No overwhelm—just steady progress, one day at a time
Based on a proven method developed by a certified reading specialist with over 30 years of experience, A Good Start Reading has already helped countless children become successful, joyful readers. Now, it’s available for parents to use at home.
Try Lesson 1 of A Good Start Reading for Free!
What’s Included:
Word formation activity
4 phonics games (Cup Game, Flip Cards, Match Game, Cut-Up Words)
Practice word lists & sentence reading
Short story: The Cats
“b” vs “d” letter confusion tips
Final word check + tracking sheet
(You'll be redirected to A Good Start Reading to sign up)
A Simple, Proven Reading Program for Kids – Phonics That Work
Our sequential phonics lessons follow a natural learning progression. Kids start with short vowel sounds and gradually build reading skills with real word families:
- Short a (cat), e (bed), i (sit), o (dog), u (sun)
Each lesson is clear, fun, and easy to follow—no prep required. Just open the book and begin.
Why Parents Call This One of the Best Reading Programs for Kids
✅ No apps or subscriptions – Buy once, use forever.
✅ Designed for parents – Clear guides, no teaching experience required.
✅ Step-by-step phonics sequence – Over 230 short-vowel words taught in meaningful, confidence-building lessons.
✅ Flexible pace – Repeat lessons or move ahead only when ready.
✅ Joyful learning – Fun stories and beloved characters like Oliver Poons keep kids excited to learn.
Why This Program Works Better Than Others
Many reading programs for kids are overwhelming, packed with complicated steps, or rely on endless screen time. A Good Start Reading keeps it simple and effective: just 10 focused minutes a day, no apps or subscriptions—just you and your child learning together. Based on over 30 years of teaching experience, this proven method builds skills and confidence step by step, making reading a positive experience for both parents and kids.
✅ Other programs are overwhelming—ours is just 10 minutes a day
✅ No apps or screens—just you and your child
✅ Proven by 30+ years of teaching experience
Signs Your Child May Need a Better Start
- Avoids reading: If your child frequently avoids reading time or seems frustrated when asked to read, it could be a sign they’re struggling.
- Lack of progress: If your child is not making consistent progress or is falling behind peers, it may be time for additional support.
- Guessing instead of reading: If they’re guessing words based on pictures or context, rather than decoding the letters, they may not have a strong foundation.
- Mixing up letters: Frequent confusion between letters or words (like mixing up “b” and “d”) could indicate they’re having trouble with the basics.
- Low confidence: If reading seems to shake your child’s confidence, or they get upset when reading aloud, they may need a more supportive approach.
Your Child Will Learn to Read More Easily With A Good Start
A Good Start provides clear, easy-to-follow steps for teaching your child to read, making the experience less stressful for both of you. With a focus on fun, phonics, and interactive activities, this program helps children understand the basics of reading in a way that actually sticks. Unlike other reading programs that overwhelm parents with way too many rules, A Good Start is user-friendly. Without a doubt, it makes teaching reading less stressful and more enjoyable for parents and children both.
Start today with one of the most effective reading programs for kids. Get Lesson 1 free and see how easy it is to teach your child to read at home.
(You'll be redirected to A Good Start Reading to sign up)
How to Choose a Reading Program for Kids
With so many reading programs for kids available, it helps to know what actually works. Research on early literacy consistently points to systematic, explicit phonics — teaching letter–sound relationships in a planned order. When comparing programs, look for:
- A clear sequence — letters and sounds first, then short vowels and word families, then longer words.
- Short daily lessons — 10–15 minutes keeps young children focused and confident.
- Decodable practice — word lists and stories using only the sounds already taught, so kids decode instead of guess.
- Hands-on games — movement and play make practice stick.
- Parent-friendly guidance — scripts and tips so you don't need a teaching degree.
- Flexible pacing — the freedom to repeat a lesson or move ahead when your child is ready.
Not sure where your child is? Start with Learn the Alphabet, try our short a lessons, or grab our free reading printables. For a deeper comparison, read how to choose the best homeschool learn-to-read program.
Reading Programs for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best reading program for kids who are just starting to read?
Look for a program built on systematic phonics: it should start with letter sounds and short vowels, move in a clear sequence, and use short daily lessons. A Good Start Reading follows exactly this path — starting with short a, e, i, o and u word families — in about 10 minutes a day.
What age should my child start a reading program?
Most children are ready once they know their letters and the sounds they make, often between ages 4 and 6. If your child is still learning letters, begin with our free Learn the Alphabet activities, then move into short-vowel lessons when they're ready.
How many minutes a day should kids practice reading?
Short, consistent practice beats long sessions. A Good Start Reading is designed around 10 focused minutes a day, which keeps kids engaged and builds confidence without overwhelm.
Do I need teaching experience to use a reading program at home?
No. A Good Start Reading was created by Lois Wendus, a retired teacher with 30+ years of literacy experience, specifically for parents. Each lesson includes clear guides — just open the book and begin.
Are screen-free reading programs for kids better than reading apps?
Apps can help with practice, but young readers benefit most from hands-on, one-on-one time with a parent. A Good Start Reading has no apps or subscriptions — you buy once and use it forever.
Is A Good Start Reading a good homeschool reading program?
Yes. It received the 2025 Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources Award from HowToHomeschool.com, and its flexible pace lets families repeat lessons or move ahead only when a child is ready.
Can I try the program before buying?
Yes — Lesson 1 of A Good Start Reading is free. It includes a word formation activity, four phonics games, practice word lists, a short story and a tracking sheet.
