Q & A

What is phonics?
Phonics is a system used to teach children how to read and pronounce letter sounds and the 44 different speech sounds in the English language. Teaching phonics begins with the basic 26 letter sounds and gradually progresses in skill and vocabulary.


When should my child start learning phonics?
There is no specific age to start learning phonics, but the best answer would be as soon as possible.  At the TLC for Kids Schools children learn the most basic form of phonics, the 26 letter sounds, from the age of 18 months.  This is the basic foundation children need before moving forward in their reading skills.


What is “Learning to Read Series?”
“Learning to Read Series” is a set of 5 one-of-a-kind, educational CD/DVD compilations used to teach beginning readers to read over 1,000 words.  Each CD/DVD is filled with original music and lyrics created by TLC for Kids and have been proven effective in the TLC for Kids Schools.


What is the difference among the 5 sets?
The only difference from set to set is the material taught.  The “Learning to Read Series” begins with the Alphabet and Letter Sounds.  This CD/DVD teaches children to recognize all letters in the alphabet, as well as consonant and vowel sounds, which is the first and most critical step to reading.  The second album, Short Vowel Word Families, introduces the concept of combining short vowel sounds and consonants together to make a single sound.  The following album, Long Vowel Word Families, teaches children how to read the combination of long vowel sounds and consonants.  The next CD/DVD is Blends and Digraphs.  This album covers the more complicated combinations of sounds in the English language.  The final album of the “Learning to Read Series,” Multiple Sounds and Spellings, teaches readers how to differentiate and memorize multiple sounds and spellings, which is a very difficult step in reading.


Which one should I use first?
There is no exact answer to this question.  It all depends on your child’s level of reading.  For example, if your child still struggles with recognizing the alphabet and letter sounds then the first album, Alphabet and Letter Sounds, would be the most suitable.  However, if your child already attains that knowledge then one of the other 4 albums would be beneficial.

What is the best way to use them to teach our children?
Most children enjoy watching the colorful pictures and listening to the entertaining music.  Since each album contains a CD and DVD, there are many options as far as where and when to use these products.  Children have the option to listen to the CD at home on a CD player and in the car or they can watch the DVD at home on the television and computer.  However, there are some children who don’t find phonics interesting.  It’s best not to force your child to watch or listen if he or she doesn’t want to.  Instead, just play the CD for 30 minutes a day as “background” music in the car or at home.  Even though it may not seem like it, your child is probably listening.


Why should I buy your products?
The “Learning to Read Series,” as well as the other products produced by TLC for Kids, is a great supplementary tool.  There are many types of learning styles so it’s always beneficial for children to experience various forms and techniques of teaching. Learning through music is something that children may not get exposure to when at school.  Therefore, these CD/DVDs will cater to children’s verbal/linguistic and musical/rhythmic intelligences.  


How old can children start using the Multiplication CD/DVD?
In the TLC for Kids Schools, teachers start using the Multiplication CD/DVD in the 3 year old classes, however not all songs are used at that young of an age.  The Skip Counting by 2, 5, and 10 songs are great for the younger ones.  As for the older children, usually 5 years and up, the other skip counting songs and multiplication songs are suitable.