Comments on: My personal experience using All About Reading with an older child https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:06:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Fostermama4love https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-791480 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-791480 We love AAR and AAS. We got the app so we don’t have to organize all the little pieces. It also helps our older son feel like the curriculum is more age appropriate.

]]> By: Jamie C. Martin https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-770257 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-770257 In reply to Alanna.

I’m so glad, Alanna!

]]> By: Alanna https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-770080 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-770080 Thank you for sharing this post. We kind of float between unschooling and relaxed homeschooling. My 10 yr old is progressing but my 12 year old struggles. We have also hopped from program to program and today we were once again both frustrated and in tears. I have heard of All About Reading and have been searching for experiences with older children. Thank you so much for sharing. This is what I needed to read today.

]]> By: Laurie https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-756062 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-756062 I love this program! I’ve tried many others, but this has been the best fit for our family.

]]> By: Jamie Martin https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-742384 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-742384 In reply to Karren.

I would think Level One, Karren, but I think they have samples/placement tests so if you look at those it will give you a good idea where to begin!

]]> By: Karren https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-742329 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-742329 My DS is 12 should I start with pre reading or level 1?
He only knows some letters and no sounds. He knows A few sight words.

]]> By: Jamie Martin https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-741440 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-741440 In reply to Rébecca N.

Hi Rebecca! To answer your questions, in our particular case I don’t regret not starting it earlier. We have done a lot of reading curricula/programs over the past six or so years, but I really think my son was not ready for more earlier and it would have only prolonged the process and the frustration we have experienced. We had other issues that were more pressing/important at an early age to deal with, and I think we made the right call, even though it has been hard! Yes, we have tried outside help/tutoring as well, which also helped me to see and understand that it wasn’t just me/my methods.

My son has devoured hundreds of audiobooks over the years, and those have been such an excellent resource for him to learn, as well as things like reading aloud in areas of his interests, documentaries, etc. Hope this helps a little!

]]> By: Rébecca N https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-741359 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-741359 I’m so glad you are willing to talk about your struggles in homeschooling and what helps! I have a couple of questions :
-do you regret not starting AAR earlier? Do you think it would have helped earlier, or do you think your son would not have been ready earlier? Did you ever try outside help/tutoring?
-how did you help your son learn and explore on his own without being able to read for this long? I have a 13yo who still isn’t fluent in reading after years of remediation, and sometimes I feel like we haven’t found the way for him to learn and develop his strengths because we’ve been so consumed with his struggles and waiting for the reading light bulb to go on before he could really delve into his passions. I regret that, but haven’t fully figured out how to get around that problem.
Thanks for your ideas and thoughts!

]]> By: Jamie Martin https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-741336 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-741336 In reply to Bethany.

So encouraging to hear it was a help to you as well, Bethany!

]]> By: Bethany https://simplehomeschool.net/aar/#comment-741335 http://simplehomeschool.net/?p=60923#comment-741335 This is such a wonderful program. I used it with my child who struggles with dislexia. It helped so much.

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