Why I Created Learning Made Easy: A Phonics-First Approach to Early Reading

Early Reading Without a Strong Phonics Foundation

When my oldest son entered kindergarten, he began his education in a public school setting. Like many children, he was introduced to reading through sight words rather than phonics. He learned to recognize and memorize words quickly, and on paper, he was doing well. Still, I knew that something important was missing.

As he moved into first grade, the pattern continued. He memorized hundreds of words. He passed weekly spelling tests with perfect scores. He appeared successful by the standards of testing.

The truth was that he wasn't sounding out words. He wasn't blending. He wasn't recognizing sounds. Instead, he relied on memorization, guessing, and context clues. I raised my concerns more than once, but I was consistently reassured that with time, practice, and daily reading, everything would eventually "click."

Still, I worried.

Each week, we studied spelling words together. I helped him memorize them. I quizzed him during the week and in the car on Friday mornings before school. I believed I was helping, and in many ways, I was—he never received a low grade.

But deep down, I knew he wasn't truly reading on his own.

During a parent-teacher meeting in first grade, I asked why phonics and blending were not a stronger focus. I explained that my son was not using basic sound skills to read. His teacher, kind and honest, explained that she had nearly 30 students and hundreds of required worksheets to get through each week. There simply wasn't time for one-on-one phonics instruction.

She reassured me that he would be fine.

I wanted to believe her.

The Moment Everything Changed

Then one day, my son completed a spelling test, but several letters were written out of order, and some words were written backward, still he remembered every letter but things were out of order. His teacher wrote a note in red ink and sent it home in his weekly folder. It said:

"We have a problem!"

I was devastated. I had been raising concerns since kindergarten, and now the issue was undeniable to his teacher. At a follow-up meeting, the discussion shifted to whether he should even move on to second grade. Despite good grades, he was not reading independently, and reading was now expected.

I knew he was capable. What he lacked was not intelligence or effort. What he lacked was a solid foundation in phonics.

Choosing a Different Path

On my way out of the school that day, I stopped in the office and shared my concerns with someone who listened carefully. She gently explained that homeschooling was an option. The person I was talking with went to church with my mom and she knew that I had a desire to homeschool, she explained that homeschool instruction did not have to look like a traditional school day.

I had always wanted to homeschool, but I worked full-time. When I learned that the requirements were flexible and that learning could happen on our schedule, I began researching everything I could about homeschooling and reading instruction.

I prayed. I read. I studied reading theory.

On the last day of school, I officially withdrew my son and committed to teaching him myself.

Rebuilding the Foundation

What I did not fully realize at first was that we were not just moving forward—we were undoing years of reading habits built on guessing and memorization.

After reading several articles on the topic and doing some of my own testing experiments I realized that my son was a visual learner. So, I leaned into visual phonics instruction. I created word-jail posters for tricky words and rule-breakers. I made visual sound boards. I focused intentionally on phonics rules, sound recognition, blending, and spelling.

Most importantly, I never told him there was something wrong with him.

I never labeled him.

I believed he could learn to read, and I told him that he could.

Why There Are So Many Worksheets

Progress did not come from rushing. It came from repetition.

Over and over again, we practiced sounds. We revisited the same skills in different ways. I created worksheet after worksheet because mastery does not happen in one lesson, and certainly not in one worksheet.

This is where Learning Made Easy was born.

I could not find a single resource that focused deeply on mastering letters and sounds before pushing fluency, comprehension, or advanced skills.

So I created what we needed.

That is why there are nearly 1,000 worksheets focused on foundational reading skills.

Not because children need busywork—but because children who have not yet mastered sounds need time, repetition, and confidence. One worksheet is rarely enough. Mastery looks different for every child.

Learning should not feel rushed.

Learning should feel safe.

Why Ready-to-Learn Letters Includes Nearly 1,000 Worksheets

Ready-to-Learn Letters includes nearly 1,000 worksheets, and that number is intentional.

Children who are still mastering letters and sounds do not need faster pacing. They need repetition, consistency, and time. True mastery rarely happens after a single lesson or one worksheet.

Each worksheet in Learning Made Easy is designed to:

• Reinforce the same skill in multiple ways

• Build confidence through familiar practice

• Allow children to progress at their own pace

• Support letter and sound recognition before word memorization

These worksheets are not meant to rush learning, they are meant to protect it.

When children are given the time they need to master the basics, everything else becomes easier.

The Outcome — and the Promise

My son is graduating this year. He is a strong, confident reader. I have always told him that if he can read, he can learn anything. More importantly, he can read Scripture, and that gives him everything he needs to succeed.

Learning Made Easy exists for children who need to master the basics first. It exists for parents and teachers who know that real learning does not come from memorization alone. It comes from strong foundations, built patiently and with care.

Parents and teachers can choose what works best for their students, with enough worksheets to ensure both variety and consistency, without needing to create or search for additional resources.

Because when learning is made easy, confidence follows, and everything else becomes possible.

FREE Ready-to-Learn Lessons