Child1st SnapWords Review And Giveaway

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Child1st Publications was created by Sarah Major in 2006. Sarah had a passion for teaching and helping children especially children who had issues with learning. Rather than putting children though extensive testing and placing labels on them Sarah decided to place the child first and tailor her approaches to the child to produce results. She would keep what worked and abandoned what didn't. Soon she had materials for teaching sounds and letters, numbers and counting, words and sound spellings that she utilized with her students all of which produced astonishing outcomes. So in 2006 she retired from her teaching job to devote her time to creating teaching tools for parents and teachers. Child1st has grown steadily over the last several years, proving the fact that many children, whether beginners, or those labeled with a variety of disabilities, are benefitting tremendously from being able to learn via pictures, body movement, story, and hands-on activities, all which engage the child and result in learning success.

A moms review:

I have a 6 and 8 year old that are both currently learning to read. Both of my children, especially my daughter (age 8), have really struggled with reading. Phonic's confuses her and she definitely has some dyslexia issues. We have tried many different reading curriculum's, some of them have worked but many have not. The ones that did work were whole language learning curriculum's and just simply reading with her and to her has been the biggest help. So when I discovered the SnapWords flash cards I knew we needed to try them.

We reviewed the SnapWords Teaching Cards List B which include words like its, just, of. yes, work, etc. The cards are 5.5 x 4.25 inches and there are 59 words in the set (including Dolch, Fry and Fountas & Pinnell words).  This set is listed as a Kindergarten set however they are great for any child who cannot fluently read the words in the set. The cards offer a fun, multi-sensory approach to reading and are great for any struggling reader. There are several sight word sets available as well as noun, verb, numbers/colors and days/months/seasons sets.

These colorful, simple cards are not your typical, basic sight word flash cards. Instead they feature a stylized word on the front in bold font. Each word is stylized to reflect its meaning. The pictures are cute and colorful and both of my kids easily identified with the pictures. This combination of color and pictures along with the word is known as a mnemonic device. A mnemonic device is a learning technique that aids information retention. Mnemonics aim to translate information into a form that the brain can retain better than its original form. This technique helps make learning easier, more enjoyable and rapid.

On the back of the card you will find the plain, unstylized word in bold text. This is great for assessing your child to make sure they recognize the word before moving on. There is also a motion suggestion which is another avenue for learning. This is great for kinesthetic learners like my son. And there is a language suggestion which provides you with a sentence using the word in its correct context.

With SnapWords...

• Children stop sounding out every word
• The whole word is captured as a picture 
• That picture makes them remember the word 
• Children increase reading level & fluency
• Comprehension is improved
• Active children capture words in a glance
• Body motion helps active kids learn 

We have been working our way through the set over the last few months. We broke the set up in smaller sections and work through only about 5-6 cards at a time until they are mastered then we work on the next 5-6. Mastery is determined when the children read the unstylized word fluently (not sounding out). Each day for about 10-15 minutes a day we work through the cards together. We play games with them and have fun...which makes reading fun for the kids instead of scary.

The really cool thing is that the children pick the cards up all on their own and begin to read them. They are also perfect for on the go learning since they are small and easy to transport.

Both of the children have really improved their reading and confidence since working with the SnapWords. We will definitely be investing in more sets after they work through this one.

You can try before you buy by visiting this link. There is also a FREE helpful SnapWords tracking chart and activity ideas for SnapWords,

Gwyn's (age 8) review: I like the cards a lot and am happy that I can read almost all of them. They are fun to read. I like the colorful, funny pictures. The card make it easier for me to remember words.

Links to follow:

-Child1st Publications Website
-Child1st Publications  Facebook 
-Child1st Publications Twitter page

Where to buy:
You can purchase SnapWords from Child1st Publications and Amazon. Sets range from $14.95-$23.95. There are also packages available as well. Use code SNAPWORDS at checkout to save 20%.

Now time for the giveaway: 
Child1st Publications has graciously offered to giveaway their SnapWords Pocket Chart Cards along with their book How To Teach SnapWords to one lucky reader. Winner may choose their card set. Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. Open to US only! Prize will be mailed via the company.

Please wait a moment for Rafflecopter to load.....
a Rafflecopter giveaway