Reading Eggs: A Review

When I first considered homeschooling I didn't imagine the vast amount of resources available for home learners. This year we have been exposed to a number of online resources which have been an added bonus to our regular curriculum. One of these programs is called Reading Eggs. Reading Eggs is a unique online world where children learn to read. It supports each child’s learning by offering individual, one-on-one lessons that allow children to progress at their own rate. The program is designed for 4-8 year olds who want to learn to read. It begins at an absolute beginner level, so children need no prior knowledge to start. The Reading Eggs program has been developed by a highly experienced team of teachers, educational writers, animators and web developers.


 How does Reading Eggs work?
The program begins with a reading assessment (if your child has no prior reading experience you can opt for them not to take the assessment and just start with the first lesson.)   The result of the assessment determines where your child will begin and they are give a map to view and track their own progress.  Each map consists of 10 lessons and the lessons are made up of several activities that the child needs to complete each day.  The student progresses in order, they are not allowed by the program to skip ahead.  (The parent can change the level if necessary).   

Once the assessment is complete, the child  works through animated online lessons where they learn essential reading skills. The variety of fun activities within each lesson provides the repetition needed for these skills to become part of the child’s long term memory.  There are 120 lessons for the child to work through, taking them from beginners to early readers who are building confidence.  Children gain confidence by reading books online that only contain words they have already learned in the program.  Along the way the child will earn golden eggs as rewards for work completed and they use these eggs to buy reward games.   After 10 lessons, children complete a Mastery Quiz and these results are made available through a personalized email to the parent so you can track your child's progress.

In addition, Reading Eggs has spelling component and there is also a program for older children called  ABC Reading Eggspress which is designed to build reading and comprehension skills, for students in grades 2-7 (7-13 year olds).

 What did we think?

When we were given a free trial I decided to use it with Eli.  Eden would have benefited from the program but she was already doing an online reading program.  Eli is a fairly confident reader and whizzed through the assessment.  He was place on map 8 to start with, skipping the first 70 lessons.  Even so, the lessons were not very challenging for him.  I was tempted to adjust the level but he was happy to complete the lessons and I figured the reinforcement of the phonics skills he learned last year was not a bad thing.  He has enjoyed working through his maps and asks most days if he can go on Reading Eggs.  The program is easy to use and navigate and although it is online it is safe and advertisment free. 

All in all I found it to be a good solid reading program. I may consider using it for Eden once she finishes her current reading program.  It is a fun program to get kids excited about reading and would be a good for any child (home-schooled or not) who is ready to learn to read.

Pricing is as follows:

There is a 14-day free trial available, so there is no risk with Reading Eggs.  Subscriptions are available in the following options:

• 12 months for $75 (add a second or third child at 50% off)
• 6 months for $49.95 (add a second or third child at 50% off)
• Monthly for $9.95

To learn more about Reading Eggs, be sure to visit their website.  Take a look HERE to see what other families thought of Reading Eggs!

 Disclaimer:  As a member of TOS Crew review team, I was given short term access to the program in return for my honest (positive or otherwise) opinion of this product.