The Waterford Early Reading Program™ is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that teaches children how to read, write, and keyboard. It is one of the nation's first research-based, technology-driven reform models in early reading instruction.


Multiple yearlong courses in the program provide an innovative continuum of instruction tailored to each student's reading level.

Level One

In 15-minute daily sessions, Level One (emergent reading) prepares students for beginning reading instruction by teaching print concepts, phonological awareness, and letter recognition. Level One is typically used in kindergarten.

Level Two

In 30-minute daily sessions, Level Two (beginning reading) teaches letter sounds, blending, word recognition, language conventions, and beginning reading comprehension. Students progress from Level One through carefully designed and sequenced activities. Level Two is typically used in first grade.

Level Three

In 30-minute daily sessions, Level Two (beginning reading) teaches letter sounds, blending, word recognition, language conventions, and beginning reading comprehension. Students progress from Level One through carefully designed and sequenced activities. Level Two is typically used in first grade.

Phonological Awareness

Phonological Awareness teaches students that spoken words are made up of smaller speech units—phonemes. As they progress, students practice listening, rhyming, segmenting, blending, and making new words. Phonological Awareness is typically run concurrent with Level One or Level Two.

Keyboarding to Read and Write

Keyboarding to Read and Write teaches students to keyboard by touch. Students also develop reading and writing skills by keyboarding high priority words and literature from Level Two. Keyboarding is usually run concurrent with Level Two or Level Three, but after Phonological Awareness.

Writing

Writing provides a menu of writing activities and paint programs for emergent readers and a word processor for advanced readers. It also provides students with additional writing opportunities at the teacher's discretion.


Standards for the Waterford Early Reading Program are established through careful consideration of research sources in conjunction with the recommendations made by the following national organizations:

  • Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR)
  • National Research Council (NRC)
  • International Reading Association (IRA)
  • National Reading Panel
  • National Center on Education and Economy (NCEE)
  • National Institute for Health and Human Development (NICHD)
  • Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA)
  • No Child Left Behind legislation
  • Key state reading standards


To learn more about purchasing the Waterford Early Reading Program, visit the site of our publisher and distributor, Pearson.