The Reading Path

Five gentle levels that take your child from first words to real story reading — one short lesson at a time.

One sound. A few words. One tiny story. Ten minutes a night.

Start where your child is now.

Each level builds on the one before it. Start with First Words, then move forward when the stories feel easy.

Curious about why the levels are arranged this way? Read how children learn to read.

Level 1
🐚

First Words

View Level 1 →

What we practice

  • Letter sounds
  • Blending sounds
  • Short vowel sounds
  • Simple CVC words

New to phonics? Read our guide to letter sounds before beginning.

Signs your child is ready

  • Knows some letter sounds
  • Can try simple sound blending
  • Wants to read a word

Lessons

  1. Cat
  2. Sun
  3. Sit
  4. Run
  5. Beach Cat Sat
Level 2
🪣

Short Vowel Stories

View Level 2 →

What we practice

  • CVC words
  • Word families
  • Simple sentences
  • Early sight words

Signs your child is ready

  • Knows letter sounds
  • Can blend 3-letter words
  • Can read simple words

Lessons

  1. Cat on a Mat
  2. The Sun
  3. Beach Cat Hid
  4. The Girl Sat
  5. Not Yet
Level 3
🌊

Blends & Digraphs

View Level 3 →

What we practice

  • sh, ch, th, wh
  • st, fl, gr, tr, bl
  • Longer controlled sentences

Signs your child is ready

  • Reads CVC words
  • Knows basic sight words
  • Reads simple sentences

Lessons

  1. The Shell
  2. The Step
  3. The Fish
  4. Beach Cat Sniffs
  5. The Girl Said Shh
Level 4
🪁

Long Vowels & Sneaky Letters

View Level 4 →

What we practice

  • Silent e
  • ai, ee, oa
  • Longer words
  • More natural story sentences

Signs your child is ready

  • Reads blended words
  • Handles short sentences
  • Ready for longer words

Lessons

  1. The Gate
  2. The Shade
  3. Beach Cat Came Back
  4. A Place to Stay
  5. The Boat
Level 5
🏡

Real Story Reading

View Level 5 →

What we practice

  • Fluency
  • Expression
  • Comprehension
  • Short paragraphs
  • Emotional story meaning

Signs your child is ready

  • Reads long vowel words
  • Handles multi-syllable words
  • Ready for real stories

Lessons

  1. Beach Cat Watches
  2. The Family on the Porch
  3. Somebody Watched Back
  4. Beach Cat Stayed
  5. A Flock Wasn't So Bad

Not sure where to begin?

Start with the quick level check. It will point you to the first lesson that fits your child right now.

Find My Child's Level →