Learning to read- that is, to actually decode, to build phonemic awareness, and to memorize certain sound and word patterns, is a complex process. I certainly do not claim to understand how it works and I have seen that it often happens differently for different children. And it definitely happens at different ages and because of different contexts that make it appealing to each kid at a certain point in their childhood.
While I do agree that using consistent verbiage when talking to an emerging reader about the process of reading, and that consistent use of just a few learn-to-read tools can help keep it simple for the learner, I also feel there is a place for some variety. Additionally, having a few options lying about can allow an emerging reader to pick something they want to use- not something you want them to use. 
It gets expensive collecting these neat learn-to-read tools- let’s be honest, it’s a huge consumer market these days. Somehow we’ve all been scared into fretting that our child will likely never learn to read without them.
In the past 6 weeks, the husband and I decided to invest pretty heavily in some supplemental reading tools. Because about 10 weeks ago we had that parent moment where we were like, “Oh shoot. We were probably supposed to teach that oldest kid to read awhile back. And now she’s five. Shoot! Five and a half, actually! We should do something. Yup. We are totally going to do something.”
My husband was ready to just find some easy books and go 1800’s style with the process. I, on the other hand, wanted to throw money at the problem and hope it would “just happen” without much effort. Okay, that’s not really what I wanted, but I am gadget-curious, to say the least.
Enter the Preschool Prep DVD series titled “Meet the Sight Words”- levels 1, 2, and 3.
We are so fortunate, oh so fortunate, to have both a Nana and a Noni who live in town. The Nana has been a SMART volunteer in the past (Start Making a Reader Today) and has really worked with all 3 kids, since birth, on all of the little pre-reading steps we know help. She has consistently taken all the kids to story time at the library and checked out new books each week. This Nana, she is keen on research and she does her internet homework! She’s quite the savvy consumer and she’ll read reviews, consumer reports and the like about products before she buys. And she’s always got an eye towards value- while not frugal, she cares very much not to waste her American dollars. So in the midst of our “Oh Shoot! Quick! Learn to Read!” whirlwind, she indicated she’d bought a Sight Words DVD set for the kids for Christmas. (Somebody please graciously correct me in a comment if I am wrong, but I feel like one area where embarK pre-k is lacking is mega-site words practice.)
We’ve been using the series since December 26th, usually about 2-3 times a week. I have to say, I am more than a little shocked at how well it seems to be working. 
Now, when we sit down to do the 1800’s style portion of learning to read, the 5 year old is identifying tons of words in the books that she memorized from the movie and she’s pronouncing them properly. It’s awesome!
So, if you’re looking for a little extra nudge with sight words, and a DVD doesn’t offend every bone in your body plus all of your sophisticated sensibilities, this might be an option for you.
Happy Learning!
Our Pre-K Journey 