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Early Reading Recommendations, Activities & Printables

I received a question from a reader this week asking if I had any good sources of literature for early readers.  

The caregiver mentioned her child has speech difficulties, so pronunciation is a bit difficult.  However the child is familiar with all of his letters.

This may sound silly but I LOVE receiving questions from my readers.  It gives me a chance to interact and share things I wouldn't necessary think about sharing.  

I don't think I've ever talked about our approach to reading before, and probably wouldn't have, if it wasn't for this question.

So, here are my early reading recommendations, activities and printables!

Early Reading Recommendations, Activities and Printables

Early Reading Recommendations, Activities & Printables


Teaching my children to read has been THE MOST rewarding experience of our entire homeschool journey thus far.  

Quite honestly, I'm unsure if anything could top it.  It's been so magical.  The fun part is that we're not finished!  

How do we do it?  I use BOB Books and a combination of Montessori materials and activities.  

BOB Books


Let's talk about the BOB Books first.  

The BOB Books are a series of early readers that build upon each other and help your child progress in their reading at a very reasonable and steady pace.  

Early Reading Recommendations: BOB Books Set 1


Early Reading Recommendations: BOB Books Set 2


Early Reading Recommendations: BOB Books Set 3


Early Reading Recommendations: BOB Books Set 4


Early Reading Recommendations: BOB Books Set 5


Once your child has read through sets 1-5 of the series, they're able to read on their own!

Each of my kiddos has learned to read in a different way.  

Dinomite was never able to sound out words.  This is not to say he didn't know his letter sounds, because he knew them very well.  He just memorized each word as a whole.  

As we progressed through the BOB Books, he'd read one book, until he had mastered the words and then, progress to the next book, which would use the same words and then a few more new ones.  

At first the process was extremely slow, but then by set 3, he was doing extremely well.  

Once Princess learned her letter sounds there was nothing that was going to stop her from learning to read.  Just like Dinomite, she started the BOB Books.  It was a completely different experience, as she sounded out every word.  

Once she could read one book with ease, we'd progress to the next book.  Over the course of the year, Princess had mastered reading.

Bulldozer's reading journey has taken much longer than the other two kiddos.  Developmentally, he just wasn't ready until eight years old, and even then it was slow going.  

Once he learned a word, he usually didn't forget it.  However, it took a LONG time for him to learn a word and be able to apply it in varying settings and contexts.  

Bulldozer did try to sound out words, but he tended to mix up the order of the letters.  

Still, the BOB Book Series was wonderful for him.  

Though it took one to two weeks of reading the same book before he was ready to move on to the next, he continued to progress and ultimately mastered reading like his siblings.

Some kiddos will fly through the BOB Book Series and need no other supplemental materials when it comes to reading.  However, there are other kiddos (like Bulldozer) who needed supplemental materials to help.  

FREE BOB Book Printables


If your child needs supplemental materials there are some amazing FREE BOB Book Printables out there!  


FREE BOB Books Printables from This Reading Mama

BOB Book Printables from Royal Baloo

Printables for BOB Books from In Lieu of Preschool

The BOB Book Series is my first recommendation for teaching kiddos to read, but it's not all that we do.  

Montessori Approach to Early Reading


The Montessori approach to early reading, writing, and spelling is amazing and so hands on.  

There are variations in approach within Montessori training. I prefer the beginning, intermediate, and advanced language approach which can also be called the pink, blue, and green series language materials respectfully.

If you'd like to understand a little bit more about how reading is taught the Montessori way, specifically the pink series, be sure to read Our Beginning Reading & Writing Montessori Materials from The Wonder Years.

Beginning Language Resources


If you're looking for Montessori beginning language resources, boy do we have a ton for you!!!

Montessori-inspired Beginning Language Bundle


Montessori Beginning Language Bundle

The Montessori-inspired Beginning Language Bundle includes everything you need to help your kids work through learning their CVC words and works perfectly with the BOB books discussed above.

This bundle includes multiple activities covering 100 words, all with true-to-life images to match. You can see how we use them in the post Montessori-inspired Beginning Language Bundle in Action.

Montessori-inspired Beginning Language Bundle in Action

We have used these printables with our own children ad co-op friends. All had success at their own pace.

And, if you would like Montessori beginning language nomenclature cards to match, they are available for free!

FREE Montessori-inspired Beginning Language Nomenclature Cards in Print

The beginning language resources shown above all are available in print and cursive. If you are looking for cursive resources, be sure to click the links below.



Intermediate Language Resources


Once a child has mastered beginning language, pink series content or CVC words, she is ready to move forward with intermediate language, blue series or short vowel sound words with consonant blends.

Trillium Montessori discusses aspects of the Montessori intermediate language curriculum in her post Montessori Blue Series Reading Work, if you'd like to understand it better.

If you're looking for resources, once again, we have plenty!

Montessori-inspired Intermediate Language Bundle


Montessori-inspired Intermediate Language Bundle

The Montessori-inspired Intermediate Language Bundle is set up the same way the beginning language bundle is set up, including all the same activities, just with a different set of words.

There are twenty words for each vowel sound to ensure a variety of learning.

FREE Montessori-inspired Intermediate Language Nomenclature Cards

If you'd like to sample the words and images in the intermediate language bundle, you can do so when you use the FREE Nomenclature Intermediate Language Cards in Print.

These cards match all that's in the intermediate language bundle to ensure you have the utmost variety in activities.

All intermediate language resources are also available in cursive! Just click on the links below.



Advanced Language Resources


The Montessori advanced language or green series work focuses on long vowel sounds and consonant blends like "ch," "sh," and "th." For more information about this you can read the following posts from The Pinay Homeschooler: Working on Green Series and Green Series.

We also have some fantastic advanced language resources on the blog!

Montessori-inspired Advanced Language Bundle


Montessori-inspired Advanced Language Bundle

The Montessori-inspired Advanced Language Bundle is set up just like the beginning and intermediate bundles, except that letters are in black and red to reflect the movable alphabet used in the elementary classroom.

FREE Montessori-inspired Advanced Language Nomenclature Cards

Whether you're interested in this bundle or not, you can enjoy the FREE Montessori-inspired Advanced Language Nomenclature Cards. They are designed to go along with the bundle, but can be used without it.

Both advanced language products are also available in cursive, for those who prefer that. Just click the links below.



The Montessori approach is an amazing way to help any child learn to read, write, and spell! If you're looking for more ideas, be sure to check out the resources below.




And for those that are still looking for other ideas, check out these fabulous posts filled with advice, activities and more!


Early Reading Activities & Tips from One Time Through


For those who are looking for more early reading recommendations, activities and printables, be sure to subscribe to our FREE newsletter!


If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy the resources below.
Beginning Montessori-inspired Sentence CHallenges in ActionRainbow Writing Prompts First Grade Reading List Construction Site Language Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Christmas Themed Language Bundle Montessori-inspired Halloween Themed Language Bundle

Early Reading Recommendations, Activities, & Printables


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