I’m a huge fan of Word World and so is Peyton. Last spring I received a disturbing letter from Peyton’s kindergarten teacher informing me of Peyton’s reading difficulties. I started looking for ways I could help Peyton learn to read while making it fun. One of the ways I accomplished this was with Word World videos. Kids are learning how to recognize letters, sound and make words all while having a good time watching television. They are learning but it doesn’t feel like work. I did work with Peyton on individual reading and sight words too but I feel having a show that made learning fun helped too. Now, fast forward 6 months and Peyton is doing great! She’s reading at a level 3 times higher than when we started in April. We still have a ways to go but I am seeing noticeable improvement.
Word World recently came out with a new DVD It’s Time for School, which ties in nicely with school starting. By now I believe everyone is back in school. There are 8 episodes included and it runs approximately 100 minutes. Here are the shows included –
Shark’s First Day of School
It’s the first day of school for the youngest WordFriends, but Shark is afraid to go. With the help of his good buddy, Duck, and some gentle encouragement from their teacher, Cat, Shark’s fear turns to confidence, and by day’s end he’s at the head of the class.
Build a Word: FLAG
The Best Nest
It’s Duck’s turn at show-and-tell at school, and he wants to bring the thing he loves the best: his nest! But when the nest breaks apart into letters, will Duck be able to retrieve them all in time?
Build a Word: NEST
Sandbox Surprise
Duck and Dog become curious about compound words when they discover the word “sandbox” is made of two words. How many words can they pull apart in WordWorld before chaos breaks loose?
Build a Word: SANDBOX
Duck At Bat
Duck loses the letter “b” to his baseball bat just before the big game is supposed to start. He tries to build other words to hit the ball – MAT, HAT – but soon learns that you need the right letter with the right sound to build the right word…and hit a homer!
Build a Word: BAT
Totally Terrific Duck
Bear is going to paint everyone’s picture today, and Duck wants to look “totally terrific” for his portrait. Not to worry! Frog and Sheep help him build a tie, top hat, and tutu – because if you want to look totally terrific you need the letter “T.” A tie, top hat, and tutu? Now that’s one totally, totally, TOTALLY terrific-looking Duck!
Build a Word: TIE
Tick Tock Space Clock
When a mysterious rocket lands in WordWorld, Duck pledges to help a robot track down a very important clock. He searches all over WordWorld, listening for the special sound that will lead the robot to the clock that will save his home planet.
Build a Word: CLOCK
Dog Wants to Play Ball
Dog wants to play ball, but he’s having trouble communicating with his friends. Pig, Sheep, and Frog each think Dog wants to do what they want to do. When Bear actually takes the time to listen to Dog, Dog gets his wish…and everyone has a ball!
Build a Word: BALL
Welcome Home, Duck
Frog, excited about Duck’s return from a long vacation, makes a “Welcome Home” banner to hang over Duck’s nest. Problem is, the dock connecting Frog’s log to Duck’s nest has broken, so Frog has to find another way across. Frog tries building a sock and a block to replace the dock, but it’s not until he builds a rock that he can land on, halfway across the pond, that he’s able to get across the water to Duck’s nest.
Build a Word: ROCK
I really like how each episode focuses on one word. Peyton just loves watching all the characters and shouting out letters to the television. She doesn’t even realize she’s learning! Word World It’s Time for School is available online or at your local retailer.
What are some ways you helped your child become a better reader?
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