Sylvan Reviews...

I don't know where you live, but I am a stay at home mom in wauconda and an k-8 teacher.. I am looking to find some tutoring. I taught kindergarten... and have tons of materials. Let me know if you are interested.

J.

As an educational consultant, I have not heard many parents overly impressed with Sylvan. I think it would be helpful to share on why you are considering Sylvan. Then perhaps Moms could share their insights on different paths they have taken with the same issue.

When you read to your child, you read stories that are age appropriate and contain repitive language. Ask questions about the beginning, middle and end of the stories. Always point to the words, always ask questions about the pictures in relationships to the words, always have the child next to you. There are 33 sight words that are easily recognizable to 4 year olds. Learn them and use them in writing sentences about stories. Sylvan is not your answer. Visiting the library, reading daily and discussing family happenings will increase your 4 year old's abilities to read, write and promote word fluency. Download...Il. State Board of Education Early Literacy Ideas.

I personally think it was WAY over priced for what we got out of it! I pulled my DD out and she stayed after school with a teacher FOR FREE and learned WAY more and much faster!!! Try and find a personal tutor if a teacher isn't available! It's truely NOT worth it! Not to mention, I think 4 is really young to push academics just yet! IMO....
Good luck
Mom to four great kids! :)

I've been teaching preschool for 13 years and have 3 older children who have been very successful academically. The reading you do with her at home is perfectly fine. Does she go to preschool too? I'm sure they are doing enriching things with her. I agree with Lisa and all of the other posts that encouraged all of the other important pre-literacy skill building you can do without spending money. TAKE MY ADVICE.. save your hard earned money FOR COLLEGE!! and all of the million other things your child is going to need. Read to her and spend quality time with her.(reading to your child just 10-15 minutes a day goes a LONG WAY and adds up!). its the best gift you can give her!

Goodness! Children learn to read when they are ready. Skip the program and spend time interacting with your child, playing games, getting out of doors, reading. All of these things contribute to the child's knowledge base and are much more enjoyable that a "program." Save the tutoring programs for when a child truly needs additional help. Four year olds who simply haven't started reading yet do not need this.

J.

K.,
Please take a look at www.learningabled.com Sylvan might not be the best fit for you, or your child. Would be more then happy to tell you why, feel free to connect.
All the best
e

Your child is way to young for Sylvan. I am a teacher and have not heard great things about the place. I agree with everything another poster said. Read daily, ask questions, have them make predictions, talk about favorite parts and go to the library!

Sylvan is excellent Niki. I know many people that have taken their kids there. Good for you mom for starting your children out at such an early age with the number 1 challenge for children in school...reading! That's the background for all learning and they're like little sponges when they are so young. CUDOS! By the way, my best friends name is K.!!!!

Hi K.,
I am a sahm to a four year old and a one year old too so, i can relate to how hard it is to work with your older child while the little one is being a typical active and demanding two year old. Good for your to want to give your child a head start on academics. I have my masters degree in education and have taught and tutored for many years. I really think that you are better off hiring an independent tutor to work with your daughter if you don't have the time and are looking for a program like this in the summer. I have heard things about Sylvan's assessments that have turned me off to their program. Best of luck!!

I use Sylvan for my clients and from the results I see...they are well worth it. A little pricey but worth it. Children have increased grade in a matter of months. You just have to make sure you are willing to make the committment. Have your child assessed first. That costs $75.

Definately too young for Sylvan or any other expensive service. I have to agree with everyone. It's not worth the money. Just read, read and read some more. At 4, it's ok he's not fluent. Just be sure that he has interest in books.

Hi K.,

I know you received a lot of responses already, but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I really don't have anything good to say about Sylvan. I had my daughter go there last year for math during the Summer. They charged us an arm and a leg and I really didn't feel she got any benefit out of it. If you are looking for something for your 4 y.o. to do for the Summer and it would probably be much cheaper. Look into the reading programs they have at the library for preschoolers. You might also want to look into bookstores. Some like Borders or Crocodile Pie have reading times. Also, the park district might have something for you too. Don't waste your money on Sylvan.

I have never had personal experience w/sylvan, but a few friends of mine have-very expensive and NOT worth it. If you would like some suggestions of things to do with your 4 y/o to prep for reading I can tell you some things I did w/my girls-begin working with sight words-make them into flash cards using index cards. Also, a better alternative may be to find a teacher to tutor you 4y/o-far less expensive, and would probably give you better results. Good luck!!!

My parents took me to Sylvan when I was in High School. I remember thinking it was okay. The people were nice and my grades did improve while I was still going (not after). So, it did help a little but I wasn't really impressed with the place.

I do not know a lot about Sylvan. I think at age 4, your daughter will benefit the most from listening to stories told by you, attending story time at a library or the bookstore, etc.

I agree with the PP, the BOB books are great. There are several learning websites you can print sight words, or short stories from.

My sister loaned me a book,Fun with the Alphabet, with each letter of the alphabet, there was a craft, for "A" it was a construction paper apple cut in 1/2 so it was the red, they white, stem and seeds to glue on. I copied this book and every few days last summer my daughter and I would do a letter. It had a recipe to try, a list of books that were related, a small book to fold and color and read, and a spot to practice writing the letter. You could do it all in a day, we chose to do some of the activities for each letter, but not all.

I also made the kids a shopping list, cutting out pictures from the sale papers, coupon section, magazines, glued those to index cards. I attached them with a key ring and she could search for the items while we grocery shopped.

Hope these ideas help!

I agree with many of the postings. There is no need for your four year old to go to Sylvan to learn to read. As a teacher on leave while raising my child I really don't think you should feel the need to push academics on your four year old. Your child will be bombarded with academics the minute they walk through the door to kindergarten. Just read with your child and talk about the books. Also, model reading for your child. Be a good role model and read adult books or the newspaper in front of your child.

Start with looking for the title and author of the book. Ask your child to make predictions about what is going to happen in the book. Ask questions before, during and after the story, such as "what will happen next," "why do you think the character is happy?" Basic questions to build the sense that reading is thinking. Take a "picture walk" with your child before reading the story. Ask your child to tell you what they think the story will be about simply by looking at the pictures. Again, why waste your money on Sylvan when you can do all of these things at home. Students learn to read in kindergarten and first grade. If they read before then, excellent, but if not, no biggie. Let your child enjoy this time before formal schooling starts.

I agree with the viewpoints I've seen here. I've seen a commercial on Sylvan with a child reading... and it is impressive; however, your child might best benefit from exposure to literacy at home, and in the library.

In addition to the things Sandy G mentioned, I'd point out road signs to your child ('Look! That says, "stop!"') as well as making sure you point out other environmental words (cereal boxes, exit signs, store signs). Expose your child to poetry, newspaper (even if he just sees you reading it), and magazines. There is a series of books called "BOB" and they are a nice low-key way to introduce your child to reading, and the expense is nowhere near what it costs to attend Sylvan!

Good luck!