Hitting the Wall at Lesson 70: How We Got Past the Toughest Part of Teaching My Kid to Read

Teaching your little one to read is one of those parenting adventures that's equal parts thrilling and exhausting. I remember when I first cracked open "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" (or TYCTR, as I'll call it from here on out) with my son. He was just 3.5 years old, full of energy and curiosity, and I was pumped to dive in. We'd carve out 15 minutes a day for a lesson, and honestly, it felt like magic at first. In a little over two months, we zoomed up to lesson 75. But then, right around lesson 70, things changed. What used to be our fun daily ritual turned into a battle of wills. He'd drag his feet, I'd coax and plead—it was like the joy had vanished overnight.

Turns out, we weren't the only ones. After chatting with other parents online and in playgroups, I learned that lesson 70 is this infamous stumbling block for so many families using TYCTR. It's comforting to know it's not just us, right? If you're in the thick of it, hang in there—I've got some insights and tips that might help you sail through.

What Makes Lesson 70 Such a Roadblock?

So, why does this particular spot trip kids up? Around lesson 70, the book ramps things up with longer stories and more twisty sentences. For a young reader—especially one starting as early as my son did—this jump can feel like going from splashing in the kiddie pool to swimming laps in the deep end. The texts aren't just longer; they're denser, with more complex ideas that demand better focus and stamina.

It's not just about the reading skills, either. That initial excitement of "Hey, I can read!" starts to fade when the work gets harder. Frustration sets in, attention wanders, and suddenly, your eager learner is begging for anything but another lesson. It's a mix of cognitive overload and plain old burnout, and it's totally normal.

Our Game Plan: Tips to Push Through (or Around) the Hurdle

We didn't give up, but we did get creative. Here are some strategies that worked for us and others I've heard from. The key? Flexibility and keeping things positive—no one learns well when they're miserable.

Hit Pause and Recharge
Sometimes, the smartest move is to step away. We took a week off from the structured lessons, and instead, I just read aloud to him—favorite picture books, silly stories, whatever caught his eye. I'd trace the words with my finger as I went, so he was still absorbing without the pressure. It was like a reset button; he came back refreshed and less resistant.
Slow It Down
Rushing through a full lesson every day was part of our problem. We started splitting them up—maybe just the sounds and words one day, then the story the next. This made everything feel bite-sized and less scary, and it kept his interest from tanking.
Mix in Some Fun
Who says learning has to be all serious? We turned to games like phonics bingo, flashcards with goofy drawings, and even a few kid-friendly reading apps. Rewards helped too—a sticker for finishing a section or ice cream after five lessons. It shifted the vibe from "chore" to "challenge with perks," and his motivation spiked.
Go Back to Basics for a Confidence Boost
To rebuild his mojo, we dusted off easier books like the Bob Books series or simple phonics readers. Focusing on stuff he already nailed made him feel like a rockstar again. It reinforced the foundations without the frustration, and when we circled back to TYCTR, he was way more ready.
Consider Timing and Readiness
Not every kid is wired the same. Some parents I talked to paused the program entirely until their child hit 5 or 5.5 years old. At that age, the brain's often better equipped for the complexity, and emotions are a tad more stable. If your little one seems overwhelmed, it might be worth waiting—it doesn't mean you're failing; it means you're tuning into their needs.

The Light at the End: What Happens After You Clear It

I've heard so many inspiring stories from parents who powered through. One mom said lesson 70 felt endless, but by 90, her daughter was hooked again, loving the "real" stories. Finishing all 100 lessons? It's like unlocking a superpower. Kids emerge reading fluently, with this huge sense of pride. For us, it was worth every tough day—seeing my son pick up a book on his own and devour it? Pure magic.

Wrapping It Up: You're Not Alone in This

If you're staring down lesson 70 and feeling defeated, take a breath. It's not a sign your child's not cut out for reading, or that you've messed up as a teacher. It's just a bump in a program that's helped tons of families. Whether you pause, tweak, or wait it out, the goal is to nurture a love for reading, not force it.

Patience is your best friend here, along with celebrating those tiny wins—like nailing a tricky word or finishing a page without tears. Tailor the approach to what fits your kid, and you'll get there.

Have you hit this wall with TYCTR? What tricks got you over it? Drop your stories in the comments—I'd love to hear, and who knows, your tip might be the lifesaver another parent needs.

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