Sometimes, just living with a two-year-old is challenging enough without adding more mayhem to the mix. As parents, though, we want to give our children the best start in life we can, regardless of how difficult it might be. Maybe you’ve studied up on how important early childhood education is and have decided you want to teach your 2-year-old to read. So did I. And…I did!

Be warned that you’ll probably encounter some of the same reactions I did: “Are you crazy?” and “Two-year-olds can’t learn to read.”

Rest assured that yes, 2 year olds can be taught to read. The trick is learning how to teach them.

Why Teach Your 2-Year-Old to Read?

I’m sure you’ve noticed – two-year-olds are all over the place. They are into everything. But did you know their little brains are busy too? According to a 1997 study1, the brain of a two-year-old is as active as an adult is. By age three, their minds are twice as active as an adult’s. You might say the brain of a two-year-old is fertile ground just waiting for seeds to be planted.

National Education Association studies have proven that reading to your child of any age is one of the best ways you can boost the likelihood they will succeed academically. When you teach your child to read, the chances are even higher that they will excel in school and after that as well.

Why teach your 2-year-old to read? When the signs are all there that your little one is ready and able to learn, why wouldn’t you?

Is My 2 Year Old Ready to Read?

No two children are the same, especially two-year-olds. While one toddler might be recognizing letters as early as one year of age, some three and four-year-olds are far too preoccupied or unfocused to do so. If your two-year-old is soaking it all in when you read to them and is interacting by pointing out words, letters, or even pictures, odds are they are ready to take being read to on to the next level – to do the reading themselves. After all, just in case you haven’t noticed, that’s being two is all about doing things on their own.

Two-year-olds can learn to read, as shown by the Children Learning Reading program. See our Children Learning Reading review to learn more.

Am I Ready to Teach my Child to Read?

No matter what age your child is, teaching them to read is a commitment. It requires time and patience. You’ll need to be willing and able to set aside a portion of quality time regularly. Brushing up (or learning) some basic reading techniques, like phonics and coding, is optimal. Teaching your two-year-old doesn’t happen magically, but it is magical when you do.

How to Teach Your 2-Year-Old to Read

Teaching a child of any age to read takes a little preparedness. Since two-year-olds are from a different planet entirely, you may want to spend a little extra time getting in the right place, both mentally and physically. Here are some terrific tips:

Setting the Stage

Many people are skeptics when it comes even to believe that a two-year-old can read; a good number of parents don’t prepare their children for reading until their children are older. By leading the way and developing the path, however, it is very likely your little one will naturally follow along.

Lead Up to Lessons

From the time my daughter was born, I began to lead up to the day I (or someone) would teach her to read. I read to her for 10-15 minutes every day in a way that involved her. Reading to her was always an interactive experience – I asked questions, made comments, and made story time fun.

I also made sure to expose her to plenty of writing. I often showed her the wooden letters on her bedroom wall that spelled out her name and told her what each of the letters was and what they spelled. We made word games out of most everything we did together like spelling out words onto brightly colored sticky notes and placing them on coordinating objects like “doll,” “book,” and even on the “dog.”

Words became fun and familiar, and when that happens, the scene was correctly set for my child to read and it will be for yours too.

Keep Your Child in the Loop

Communication is vital when it comes to teaching your child anything. Get your child excited by letting them know they are going to learn to read. Tell them when and how too. You know a two-year-old wants to know all the details!

Do What You Need to Do

You can’t give out what you do not have. Just keeping track of a two-year-old can be mentally and physically exhausting, much less adding on the task of teaching your child to read. Be sure you are getting some good “me” time in. Get a manicure. Treat yourself to a cappuccino. Take a nap. Do whatever it is you do for you and then. You’ll be refueled and ready to roll.

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out

If you are a teacher, chances are you’ve got the reading thing down and don’t need any assistance. But those of us who don’t often need a little help. Some of us need a lot of support!

Don’t be afraid to ask a friend who has taught their child to read for pointers or to go online to find out how others mastered the plan. If you are considering using an early childhood reading program in your venture, don’t feel bad.

There are some great ones out there that can work wonders for teaching even two-year-olds to read. Do your research, reach out if you feel the need, and do whatever you find necessary or helpful to teach your little one to read.

For a comprehensive reading program, see our in-depth review of the Children Learning Reading program.

Flash Forward

Two-year-olds can be very head-strong. Five years down the road, this attribute can be a good thing (ok, let’s give it ten). The less you focus on the trials of the moment and look toward the future, the more encouraged you will be. Who knows what all your labor of love might bring to the life of your child in the days to come.

Lights, Camera, Action

With everything in place, you and your child are set up for success. Here are some easy steps to teach your child to read.

Familiarity

Two-year-olds love familiar things. The more you can have reading lesson time at the same time in the same place, the better. It’s even okay to use the same book for a while.
Sound out the words with your child while showing them the letters.

Using phonics and coding together is very useful. Be sure not to do all the work yourself. Interaction is the name of the game.

Fast

Two-year-olds have a short attention span. Keep lesson time simple and keep the time short. When your little one loses focus, you’ll know the class is over. Unrealistic expectations shouldn’t be placed on a youngster.

By doing so, you could be setting your child up for failure rather than success. Fear and disappointment spur learning blocks. Praise encourages success.

Fun

Two-year-olds love to have fun. Anything can be made fun so be sure their first exposure to reading is sheer joy. Lots of laughter is undoubtedly in order because learning to read is loads of fun when you make it that way.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting is as essential for a two-year-old to do as breathing is. They will wiggle and scoot and run off for a minute only to return to wiggle some more. You’ll need to get on their level to meet them where they are.

It’s alright for your child to move around, to ask questions, and to learn however they naturally need to. When learning to read it’s ok for a two-year-old to be a two-year-old.

Finale

After repetitively being shown letters and words and being taught to sound out and recognize the words and letters, your little one will begin to repeat the words. Then, they will most likely start to read the words before them.

Some of this can be their sharp memory skills in motion. You’ll be tempted, like I was, to think it is only from memory. But, here is the real test the finale.

Give your child a fresh, new book. At first, your child may panic. Something is different, and two-year-olds don’t always like change. Once they warm up though, wait for it, wait for it, boom!

When your two-year-old begins to read words he or she has never seen or heard before, you will know that you know your child can read. And you are the one that has taught them. Get out the tissues!

Plan that outing at the park or whatever it is your child loves to do. A celebration is in order!

And they said it wasn’t possible. Well, I am here to tell you it can be. Two-year-olds can, indeed, learn to read. Mine did, and yours can learn too.

“The End” is Just the Beginning

There is nothing like hearing your very own child read through an entire book to hear the most precious words ever, “The end.” Teaching your two-year-old to read is a reward like none other. Don’t stop there though. It is essential for your child to read regularly, every day if possible.

Bump the difficulty level up a notch now and then. Challenge your child. Most importantly of all, give both yourself and your two-year-old a big pat on the back for a most excellent job done. Now, it’s time for the next chapter.

For more info on a comprehensive reading program, check out our Children Learning Reading review.

References:
1Shore, R. (1997). Rethinking the Brain: New Insights into Early Development. New York: Families and Work Institute.

National Education Studies – http://www.nea.org/grants/facts-about-childrens-literacy.html

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Setting your child up to succeed in life is what good parenting is all about. It is a proven fact that early literacy is one of the best ways to prepare your child prepared for what lies ahead in the real world. Imagine it will make in your child’s self-confidence when she or he has a head start in reading.

Early childhood reading programs give your child a priceless boost. According to a 1985 report by the National Commission On Reading, the number one most important factor that influences the early educational success of a child is introducing books at home before starting school. Teaching your child to actually do the reading bumps his or her chances for success up even further.

There’s just one problem. Not every parent is a teacher and in fact, many of us are far from it. The majority of parents don’t just need a great early reading program; we need one that is simple to teach too.

And so…my quest began to find an early childhood reading program that catered to both the child and the parent which, in this case, is the student and the teacher. It turned out to be a pretty tall order but I did finally find one that aced the challenge.

What Is The Children Learning Reading Program?

Children Learning Reading is an innovative and practical, program that teaches children to read and (drumroll, please) teaches parents how to teach them. It comes in the form of two e-books that gives you simple instructions on how to teach your child to read.

This program lays it all on the line in a logical, applicable way with no time-consuming, confusing “stuff” to filter through.

Within the program, the 50 step-by-step lessons are a breeze to use and also are amazingly useful. Phonemic awareness and synthetic phonics are creatively combined and implemented in an extremely effective method that gets the task done. You will be able to teach your child to read – I did.

Fabulous Features

Although there are a number of good early childhood reading programs, some important features pushed the Children Learning Reading Program to the top of my list. Here are a few things I found very valuable:

Easy
As mentioned before, the simplicity of this program was what initially sold me. I am quite awkward when attempting to formally teach my child because I’m well aware that being a teacher was not my calling. This program makes it natural and easy to teach though.

Effective
Another great thing about this program is that it works. And – it works well. I watched the videos on the site and knew it worked for other children, but when my child began to read, I’ve got to admit I got teary eyed.

Quick
Like many parents these days, I have a full-time job outside the house and another full-time job when I get home. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time to devote to teaching my child to read. Fortunately, this program comes in the form of an instant download and only requires 10-15 minutes a day. Some are just 3-5 minutes. Seriously, how convenient is that?

Age Range
This system accommodates children as young as two years old up to early elementary age. For some, this is a useful feature because if you purchase the program and life suddenly gets busy and you have to put the lessons off for a time, your child will not outgrow it. In my case, it meant I could use this one program for two of my children. That was a perfect fit for this multi-tasking mom, and it made it even more affordable.

Positive Points

Extras
So I’m a sucker when it comes to getting the biggest bang for my bucks. This program also comes with a Children’s Favorite Nursery Rhyme book which contains 35 children’s nursery rhymes. A collection of mp3 audios are also included that correctly pronounce the words in the reading lessons so that the guesswork is taken out and your child is sure of the proper sounds.

Affordable
I found this program to be one of the most reasonably priced ones on the market. Most others ranged from a few hundred to entirely ridiculous prices. You get your choice of the budget (standard) package or the premium package which makes it affordable for all. There are no hidden fees or recurring charges with the Children Learning Reading set-up which I appreciate. It’s a one-time, very affordable payment.

User and Parent-Friendly
Not only am I not a teacher, but I’m also not a computer whiz either. I’m a little handicapped in that area. I was very relieved that this course did not require any special skills in the teaching department or computer knowledge. To be completely transparent at the risk of looking less than brilliant, I was not taught phonics as a child. At the time I learned to read, the school used other methods. Fortunately, I did not need to know phonics or anything else the lessons entailed. And guess what? I learned right along with my child (both of them!).

Proven
Some testimonials and even videos are available that tell of the success of this program. I read and watched them all, and they eased my mind as I decided to purchase it. I must add that no matter how many studies, testimonials, and reviews I read, experiencing my child learning to read was proof beyond proof that this method works.

No Clutter
I have kids and thus…I have enough stuff in my house without adding to the pile. Thankfully, this program is all done online and doesn’t involve DVDs to keep up with. I mainly have enjoyed not having to spend time hunting down anything to get right on to lesson time. There are audio CDs, but those are just icing on the cake and not required for the lessons.

No Risk
I’m a skeptic when it comes to committing to a purchase, especially online. The Children Learning Program includes a 60-day (no questions asked) unconditional money back guarantee though. I happen to love this program but everyone is different, but if you don’t, you can always get a refund which is security I have come to watch for in any product. There are several payment options. I like using PayPal because you get a double-layer of buying protection.

Drawbacks

Internet Connection Required
Worth noting is that this program does operate online. You’ll need an internet connection and access to a device such as a laptop or a tablet.

It Takes A Minute Or Two Of Time And Effort
The only other downside to this program is that it’s not magic. You do have to invest some time and effort into it as does your child. The fact that the time and energy required is very minimal makes it completely doable though.

Summing Up Our Children Learning Reading Review

There are a number of good early childhood reading programs on the market. They all have their good and not-so-good points. When it came down to what my child needed in a program AND what I needed from one to make it happen, the Children Learning Reading Program was the clear winner for me.

Click Here To Check Out The Program

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Originally posted at optimizedfamily.com

The only dumb question is one not asked. The old adage certainly rings true in my case. You see, I once tossed around the idea of getting a stair lift. I had all sorts of questions floating around in my head. But…I didn’t ask them. Neither did I get one. To this day, I regret the decision …and it’s too late.

It’s too late because the stair lift I was considering was actually for my mother and she is no longer with us. She had a severe knee condition that prevented her from safely and comfortably using the stairs in her home. Because I didn’t help her pursue having a stair lift installed, she was forced to sell her home. She moved in with family but she would have much rather lived out her days in her own home. I still regret never checking further into the matter.

I was recently diagnosed with myelopathy – an interference in the signal that goes from my brain to my legs. I now walk with a limp and have poor balance. While it’s not painful, I am at high risk for falling down the stairs in my home. Not wanting to make the same mistake twice, I committed to do some research on stair lifts. I was amazed and rather surprised with some of my findings and think you will be too.

What is a Stair Lift?

It’s a machine that transports a person up or down a set of stairs. Why would someone get a stair lift? When the staircase that separates you and the upstairs of your home becomes a stumbling block (literally), a stair lift can bridge the gap.

The Benefits

The are many benefits of having a stair lift:

• Prevents the risk of falling
• Eliminates the pain many experience when walking up and down stairs
• Allows you to easily carry things (such as laundry or a glass of water)
• Enables those with disabilities and the elderly to stay in their home
• Puts your worried mind at ease and also calms others who are concerned about you

Who Needs a Stair Lift?

Who would benefit from having a stair lift? Basically anyone with a mobility problem needs one. In addition, those who foresee a condition that would prevent the safe and comfortable use of stairs would stand to gain from one.

The National Institute on Aging estimates there are 35 million people in the United States that are age 65 and older. Life expectancy has doubled within the 20th century yet thousands of elderly are placed in nursing and retirement homes before their time. Why? They are unable to safely live in their homes.

According to the National Council on Aging, an older person is admitted into an emergency room due to a fall every 11 seconds. Every 19 minutes, a senior citizen dies from a fall. Stairs are obviously a hazard, but one that can eliminated through the installation of a stair lift.

Stair lifts are beneficial for young and old alike who have handicaps or suffer from medical issues. Here are some of the many conditions that may warrant the need to bypass the stairs as cited by RightDiagnosis.com:

• Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
• Osteoarthritis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Spinal Stenosis
• Brain conditions such as Cancer
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
• Graves’ Disease
• Dermatomyositis
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Hemiplegia
• Hemiparesis
• Migraines
• Rett’s Syndrome
• Primary Lateral Sclerosis
• Varicose Veins
• Fractures
• Marfan Syndrome
• Multiple Myeloma
• Transient Ischemic Attack and Strokes
• Heart Conditions

You may have a medical condition that has not yet affected your mobility but is expected to do so as it progresses. It’s never too early to prepare. Even if you are completely healthy, thinking ahead to the safety of your senior years is always wise.

How It Works

You don’t need to know exactly how a stair lift works, but it certainly helps to have a basic knowledge of the nuts-and-bolts of it if you are considering getting one. You’ll be better able to understand the information you’ll encounter when looking for one. In the event you purchase one, it will also help you understand how to properly use it and identify any potential problems.

Carriage or Perch

There are two main parts of the stair lift. The carriage is the place where you sit, stand or place your wheelchair. The seated type have the actual seat, an armrest, a foot resting plate and a seat belt. The stand-up versions have perches while the wheelchair carrying models have vertical platforms.

Power (Motor and Battery)

Underneath the carriage is the motor and the battery which enable the lift to move. Late models generally operate via a rechargeable battery that is housed inside the carriage, just below the seat. When it is parked, it recharges through mains electric. Some older models rely on wired electricity and have a rechargeable back-up battery. It is important for any model to have accessibility to a battery powered option in case the power is out.
As far as speed goes, stair lifts are slow for obvious reasons. Most go about one mile per hour. Generally there is only one speed available.

Rail or Track

There is also a rail or track which is what the carriage moves up and down the stairs on. Most models attach to the stairs but a few connect to the wall. Rails or tracks come in straight or curved versions.

Control

When it comes to controlling the movement of your stair lift, you have two options. One method is to use a set of buttons on the armrests. More often than not, the buttons are on both sides to accommodate left or right handers. Occasionally, they will be custom placed accordingly. A mini joy stick is the second option.

There is also the remote control option which can be used in addition to or instead of the buttons or sticks. The remote control can be used to command the chair to the foot or the top of the stairs in order for the rider to board and can also be operated by a second person which can be very helpful in the event the rider is not able to operate it his or herself. In general, stair lifts come with two remotes, one to be left upstairs and one downstairs. Some systems have remote controls attached to the wall at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Parking

Normally, a stair lift is simply parked at the top or the bottom of the staircase. When at the top of the stairs, the chair is usually situated just above the highest step, even with the floor. At the bottom, it is generally placed aside in the hallway or another out-of-the -way location.

In the event that you have a door that will be in the way, at the top or the bottom of the stairs, or if you don’t have a wall that continues, parking can pose a hazard. To remedy the risk of you or someone else tripping over the chair or running into it, you can park it on the staircase but, you will need a hinge which is a movable rail or track that can be lowered so you can get in your chair. A hinge can be automatic or manual. The option to park your chair to the side is only available with a curved rail.

Different Types Of Lifts For Each Type Of Stair

Straight stairs

Straight rails or tracks are used for stairs that have no bends or curves.

Curved stairs

A curved rail accommodates stairways that curve or bend and are also used for straight stairs when you want to be able to park your carriage to the side of the stairs. Because they are more complicated to install and require being customized, curved rails are more costly.

Outdoor stairs

If you have a patio or porch area you are having trouble accessing, an outside stair might be the perfect solution. Sometimes outdoor lifts are even needed just to get upstairs like when you have an entry stairway to a second level living arrangement. Outdoor lifts can be either straight or curved and are weather-proofed in order to withstand the elements.

Accessories

There are a lot of accessories that are available to go with your stair lift. A few will usually automatically come with your chair and others can be ordered separately. Here is a list of accessories you may want and/or need:

• Seatbelt
• Swivel Seats
• Adjusted Height of Chair
• Folding Carriage Steps
• Soft Start and Soft Stop Actions
• Key-Required Start-Up
• Obstruction Sensors

All the Bells and Whistles

Economy models usually offer the basics without much frill. If you want to choose from a wider variety of colors, have extra safety features or a more sophisticated control system, an upgrade to a premium chair is in order. Some allow you do such things as customize the color of the upholstery, choose the color of the wood trim and opt for a swivel power seat. There usually many luxuries available with premium models and you may find great bargains on reconditioned ones.

Things to Consider

Weight. It is necessary for stair lifts to set a recommended weight restriction for safety purposes. For seated chairs, the average weight allowance is up to 360 pounds. It is much lower for stand-up units, however. Generally they max out at 224 pounds. If you weigh over 350 pounds, there are special order heavy-duty and bariatric lifts that can accommodate people up to 500 pounds.

Wide seats may be custom-ordered as well. My mother always thought she would weigh too much for one. We had no idea that the traditional lifts could handle as much as they do let alone the fact stronger ones are available.

Height. If you are extremely tall or short, you can have a chair customized so that you can safely and comfortably get in and out of your chair. For those that are over 6’1”, a chair with a higher seat and extended height from the floor to the chair is recommended.

Cost and Pricing Overview

You should expect to pay approximately $2,500 to $5,000 for your unit. Custom covered curves can cost in the neighborhood of $10,000.

The price will vary depending on the quality of stair lift you choose, complexity of installation that is required, additional features you may opt for and what company your purchase from. The overall price should include installation, a permit and inspection (where required), and a warranty.

In doing some comparison research, you are more likely to get a good deal. You may find a good sale. Some companies offer financing. You may even find that the cost of your chair is covered all or in part by Medicare or your insurance. I hate to admit it but that is something that never crossed my mind when thinking about one for my Mother.

Medicare classifies stair lifts under Durable Medical Equipment (DME). There are many stipulations but it is quite possible you may be able to rent or buy your lift for a fraction of the regular price. Generally installation is not included though. Some chair lift companies work with Medicare and insurance companies while others don’t.

To find out more about the possibility of using your insurance, you will need to talk to your provider or look into your policy. For information on Medicare coverage, you can find the facts out at Medicare.gov, an official U.S. Government website.

Stair Lift vs. Residential Elevator

If you are trying to decide between getting a stair lift and a residential elevator, a lot will depend on your individual circumstance. Your specific medical needs, the lay-out of your home and other factors will come into play along with your personal preference. Here are some advantages to both:

Stair Lift:

• Generally less expensive
• Wide selection of options (straight or curved, heavy-duty, color choices, etc.)
• Typically no need for remodeling
• Speedy installation

Residential Elevator:

• Cosmetic looks
• Unique appeal
• Accessing multiple levels
• Cab customization available
• May be more accommodating for your wheelchair situation

Pro Tips to Finding the Best Fit for Your Needs

• Know your brand.
• Know your dealer.
• Be sure your dealer is certified.
• Be sure you communicate your medical needs to your dealer.
• Make sure you communicate your preferences or special requests to your dealer.
• Thoroughly research financial aid options if applicable
• Be certain your dealer knows your staircase and all information regarding it.
• Investigate the warranty fully.
• Be aware of what country your stair lift is made in.
• Don’t feel pressured to purchase.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this article about stair lifts? I hope that you have learned some things you didn’t know before and that it answered any questions that you had about them. I wish I had learned these things when my mother was still alive so she could have been able to enjoy her home longer rather than being forced to sell it and move to a one-story house.

But, the good news for me is that at least I know now and can apply my knowledge to my own situation and that I can pass it on to you as well. I hope you do the same.
We would love for you to tell us what you think in our comment section.

If you liked this article and found it helpful, we’d love for you to share it to help others. Remember, there is hope. If your stairs are getting you down, you may just need a lift!

Are you thinking about getting a stair lift?

If so, you probably have some questions running through your mind like what a stair lift actually is, if you need one and if one would work on your staircase.

Just considering the purchase of a stair lift is a big step. I’ll help walk you through it.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton