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Today, Irene Daria is a cognitive developmental psychologist and reading tutor to the stars. At the time of this story, she was a graduate student and “just” a mom thrilled that her son had been accepted to one of the most esteemed schools in Manhattan. Sure that he was on the path to a venerable education, she did not listen when her 5-year-old told her that he—like millions of other children—was not being taught how to read in school. 

An entire, very painful school year passed before Eric got her to realize he was right. Follow along as Daria begins a perplexing but ultimately empowering journey to save his academic life. She finds herself pitted against well-intentioned teachers and administrators, people she would have loved to trust if only they weren’t so misinformed. The more Daria tries to get the school to see that it—like tens of thousands of other schools across the country—is teaching reading all wrong, the more the school insists there is something wrong with her child and not with its teaching.

Although I Didn't Believe Him is about a disturbing topic, it is a joy to read. Its pages overflow with the tenderness and love a mother has for her child and the trust a child has that his mother will make everything right. In addition to sharing her personal story, Daria takes you behind closed doors at a top-rated school to witness how flawed teaching methods are causing millions of kids to struggle with reading. You will see how a child's struggles in school affect the entire family. In an entertaining who-dun-it way, you will learn about the horrifying history of reading instruction in our country and the absurd way reading is currently being taught in many schools.

In the end, simply by going on this life-altering journey with Daria and her son, you will learn how to teach a child to read and be empowered to set any child on the path to becoming a proficient reader.

With these books, anyone can teach a child to read!

The Steps to Reading workbooks teach phonics explicitly and systematically and sight words in order of frequency of use. They adhere to the science of reading and provide you with everything you need to teach a child to read.

The books include:

  • Step-by-step instructions on how to teach:

    • Phonics

    • The most frequently used sight words

  • Fun and engaging worksheets

  • Vocabulary

  • Phonics Bingo games

  • Phonics board games

  • Online activities

  • Recommendations of decodable stories children can read from the earliest stages of reading. The stories reinforce the lessons and make children feel so proud of themselves!

The Steps to Reading workbooks were written by developmental psychologist Irene Daria, Ph.D. She has taught hundreds of children to read and has trained teachers in the science of reading. (See her video on how to teach a child to read, below.)

The books enable you to follow the exact same steps Dr. Daria uses when she teaches children to read. You’ll see why so many celebrities have asked Dr. Daria to teach their children how to read, and why actress Kate Winslet says, “Irene is remarkable at teaching children how to read. How wonderful that the skills Irene so clearly and beautifully taught my children are now available in these books for parents and  teachers to use.”

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Video: How to teach a child to read

Click on the books, below, for more information.

Testimonials

“How wonderful that the skills Irene so clearly and beautifully taught my children are now available in these books for parents to use at home.”
— Kate Winslet, Actress
“It was such a pleasure to meet you last week. Last night, we pulled out one of the little phonics books you gave us and, well, my son was a superstar. He looked at me and said, `Mom! I can read!’ He was so excited and I was so proud. THANK YOU for already making a difference! How great that your workbooks will let other families follow the guidance you gave us!"
— Laura James
"It’s astonishing how much my 4-year-old wants to do this book and how quickly he is learning to read. He was really excited when we started. Now, he is so proud of all the words he can read and is constantly asking me to do the book with him. I never knew teaching a child to read would be so easy." 
— Sing Lee
“My 5-year-old twins love these books. I was fortunate to receive them as gifts. I gave my kids each a copy when I was cooking dinner and they were excited to do the work/exercises and it kept them both engaged and happy. They continue to be hooked, and so am I. Other workbooks are very convoluted and not easy for the kids, or me, to understand. Often, my kids can’t tell what a picture is saying, or they don’t get what they are being asked to do. This book is the total opposite. The instructions and pictures are very clear. My kids-and I-get what’s being asked of us and they are able to work their way through the books without any frustration or confusion. We needed these books!”
— Andrea G.
 

Video: Why all parents need to know how to help their children learn to read.

Video: What is systematic phonics?

Video: Systematic phonics - sample lesson plan.