Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a phonics-based program designed to help children learn to read. It uses a structured approach with scripted lessons, making it easy for parents to guide their kids without needing prior teaching experience.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons?
Published by Simon & Schuster, this book was written by Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox, and Elaine Bruner. Since its release in 1986, it has sold over one million copies. The program uses a phonics method called DISTAR. It’s research-based and was developed in the 1960s. Each lesson has a script in red text, so parents simply read it aloud. No teaching experience or prep is needed. Kids who finish all 100 lessons usually read at a solid second-grade level.
The DISTAR method explained
The DISTAR method teaches letter-sound connections in a clear order. It uses modified spelling, which helps kids read without getting confused by English's tricky spelling. As they learn, these symbols change to regular letters. This method follows the latest ideas in the Science of Reading, which supports teaching phonics in a systematic way. Over 50 studies show that Direct Instruction methods work well.
What a typical lesson looks like
Each lesson has a set structure: practice sounds, read words, and a short story. Parents read the script exactly as it is—it's carefully designed. Kids answer questions, sound out words, and read longer texts as they go. Sessions last 15-30 minutes, depending on the child. The program suggests doing 4-5 lessons a week, so it takes about 7-8 months to finish. Everything you need is in the book.
Is it right for your child?
This program works best for kids around 4-5 years old who can follow directions and focus for 15-20 minutes. No prior alphabet knowledge is needed—the program teaches sounds, not letter names. It’s great for parents who want a structured approach without having to decide on a curriculum. But if your child struggles with reading or needs special help, this program isn’t for them. Active kids who like variety might find the format a bit repetitive.
The bottom line
For under $20 and 20 minutes a day, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons offers a clear path to reading fluency for preschool and kindergarten kids. The scripted format helps parents avoid guesswork, while the research-backed method ensures it’s effective. Just remember, this is a structured phonics program—it’s not flexible for every learning style. For the right child, it's one of the best ways to teach reading at home.
