F Stepping Stones Together Review and Giveaway (Closed) ~ Critique of the Unique

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Stepping Stones Together Review and Giveaway (Closed)

Product: Stepping Stones Together
Created by: Erika Burton, Ph D
Price: 90 days for $19.99, One year for $39.99




I want to share with you a program that was designed by Dr. Erika Burton. Dr. Burton created Stepping Stones Together, an online emergent reading program designed for children between the ages of 3-7 to  provide beginner readers with the tools necessary to improve and fine-tune their reading ability. Children can choose their favorite category of books from the online library and participate in daily skills that will develop their reading ability, all within a parent's busy schedule. The exercises are designed so that the parent and child can pick out a story that can be printed off and read at leisure. Each printable storybook is also a coloring book, giving your child a fun, learning experience. For each story there is a daily writing exercise and critical thinking questions that assure that the child is comprehending the story in its entirety. The program is meant to be done over a period of time, and membership can be for 30 days on up to one year. The program will utilize 220 high frequency words and more then 200 vocabulary words, including more than 90 common nouns This is designed to prepare the early reader to recognize words in the print form as well as get them excited about reading!!! Considering that most children are learning how to read in kindergarten, it is essential that they are prepared prior to that first day of school. Stepping Stones Together understands how busy life is, especially in households where both parents must work. Time is precious, and this program will give parents the ability to prepare their child with the skills they need to succeed, and at a pace that all family members can manage!

The exercises available for each book include:

  • Comprehension questions
  • Fact Recall
  • Inferences
  • Summarization
  • Critical Thinking
  • and much more!!

The books are divided into different levels from Level A-Level C. Keep track of the books completed by check marking the ones that you and your child have finished. When all of Level A books are completed, your child will be ready for Level B.

It is easy to keep track of your child's progress with the included Incentive Chart where you can record your child's daily progress. This can be printed off so that your child can feel the satisfaction of putting a sticker or checkmark on the chart to signal they have completed a section!! The program includes daily writing practice sheets, flashcards that correspond to each book, and additional practice sheets that incorporate games into learning the high frequency words.


In less than 20 minutes a day, your child can learn to read!!!

To begin, your child and you will pick a book from the appropriate level. Your child will read each book for two days as the repetition gives them the confidence they need to begin the next book. At the start, you will read the title out loud to your child. Ask them what they think the story might be about and then go through the book, talking only about the pictures and see what they think the pictures are saying is happening in the story. Then, read the story aloud to your child. Have them read it with you and let them follow along by placing their finger on the sight words. This will help them to identify the words the next time they see them. Have your child attempt to say the word or sound it out according to the letters. Help them through this. Then,  print out the coloring pages and let them complete the exercises. When they have completed this book at least twice and all the exercises are finished successfully, then it is time to print out the Certificate of Completion that your child can hang proudly in his/her room!!


Sample of Level A story book
The levels include different categories of topics, such as:


  • Animals
  • Fairies
  • Princesses
  • Sports
  • Superheroes
  • Transportation

Coloring pages make learning fun!

Writing prompts and exercises help assure comprehension
I truly believe this concept toward learning to be effective. Children have the ability to build upon their skills and can work at a pace that is comfortable to them. Each book has illustrations that appeal to a child's playful side, which helps to engage them with the story-line and makes them more apt to want to read more! I like that the books can be printed as kids love hands-on activities and the coloring is not only fun, but teaches hand-eye coordination as well. This is a great way to introduce your young child to the world of reading. I recommend this program to any parent or caregiver!!! 

For an example of how Stepping Stones Together works, try their FREE E-books!! These 3 books will introduce you to the world of Stepping Stones Together and 4 video tutorials will show how the programs work! 

Where to Sign Up: Stepping Stones Together website



Win it!
ONE Winner will win ONE YEAR Membership to Stepping Stones Together.

The sponsor has asked that the following criteria be met:

1. Watch the WGN video and share something you learned. You can find it here: Video
2. "Like" Stepping Stones Together on Facebook
3. Follow Dr. E Burton on Twitter

Giveaway is open to anyone aged 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be chosen by randomizer and will have five business days to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway ends on January 12, 2011. 



WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! Winner has been chosen and is Irvin W. Congratulations!!!!



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