Our son who is 4 (almost 5) has been using Explode The Code for a little over a month now and he absolutely loves it. We had tried several reading curriculum for him before, but it seemed like some moved way to fast, and others too slow. Explode the Code is great because it paces itself based on how the child is performing so it's never too fast or slow. For us it is also better than a written curriculum since my son is working above his grade level (he was aching to learn to read). Most reading curriculums have a written portion and his muscle development was not up to the level of writing needed in some of them, but since Explode the Code Online involves typing, he is able to complete all of the tasks without that being an issue.� I'd highly recommend the curriculum, we really enjoy it. -Charlene H.

We tried the workbooks this year for the first time, one day I caught my daughter looking back at a previous page to find the answer, which told me she wasn't mastering the material, We tried the web version for a different style that would force her focus on the sounds and words being presented. It has worked great, no complaining. I love how i can set the daily requirement so we can pace ourselves through the material.�My son also is using it, and its great for him because she struggles with hand writing and fine motor skills and doing this on the computer allows him to focus on the reading and phoncis and not forming the letters to write the answers.�It gives some variation to our school day to have some requires computer time versus all table work. Its a win in our house!! -Cynthia.

We are using Explode the Code for our oldest two children, ages 8 and newly 7, and we are very pleased. It has been great filling in all the gaps for the 8 year old. It automatically progresses the child when he has mastered each step and allows him to test and skip the areas he already knows well. I am glad that we started the other child earlier. We plan to start our 5 year old soon. We used the workbooks while traveling, which I liked at the time to get in extra handwriting. But, the online version moves them along at such a quicker rate, to get them reading on their own sooner.�I have them work around 45 minutes each day and they enjoy seeing how many paper airplanes they can earn in that time, which is the highest award. They also are excited to see their progress at the end of each session on the teacher's page.�This is a product I would (and do) recommend to parents of quick learners as well as those with reading difficulties. It is also a product that can be used for working parents as there is no lesson planning or even teacher interaction needed. -Mom o.

I teach children with autism and they really enjoy using this program. I love the data reports, which allow me to individualize my teaching strategies. -M. S.

After just one month with our online subscription to ETC I am already confident it is helping my girls with their reading and spelling skills.�I love how easy it is for me to keep up with their progress. Honestly, the "teacher login page" has more information than I need! It's so comprehensive with tons of details.�My 5 and 7 year olds are making great progress and I'm sure ETC is helping. It'll definitely be something we keep purchasing as my other children "grow into" ETC. I'm recommending it to friends as well.�(note: I've never used the book version.) -Laura K.

I am using the online product from ETC this year with my twins. I paid $60.00 per student for a year�s access. Anything less than $60/student would be great, but to be completely honest, it is worth more to me than what I paid. GREAT GREAT PRODUCT. I do not usually critique products, but this one I really believe in. The features for educators/parents are great too. I am really excited that this product will be available for less, so maybe more people will have the opportunity to experience it. -Julieann B.

I bought this for my son who is going into second grade. His spelling is questionable, and his reading could use some improvement. He is currently wrapping up 'book2' of the online explode the code and I can say I have already seen improvement in his spelling and reading comprehension skills.�My son is not a sit down and do school type kid, so he loves the 'stickers' he earns at the end of each section. I tell him how many stickers he needs to finish with that days explode the code and he works hard to earn them so he can go play. I love them because I can tell as I walk past the computer how far he is gone, how well he is doing, and how long he will be before he wraps it up.�I would say we are very pleased with our explode the code purchase. -M. S.

My son was struggling with paper & pencil phonics. He was not engaged, and therefore learning to read became a frustrating process for both of us. I was unsure of what he needed to work on and what would be best.�A friend in my co-op told me about Explode the Code. I went online to research and discovered the online version of the program. I was so excited! I knew this program was solid in what it was teaching and the online format would engage my son. The added bonus is the feedback provided to the parent of what the child is excelling at or struggling with and the peace of mind that the program automatically moves him forward or keeps him where he is at until the concept is mastered.�Now "Reading Practice" is a part of school we both look forward to. The fact that he can work independently on it has freed me up for that time as well, to work on other things I need to do. It's a win-win! -Melissa N.

I am the mother of a 6 year old with a phonetics speech disorder. Phonics lessons were hard and involved lots of frustration and a few tears. Explode The Code counters that with nice simple "games" he can play. As a parent I still need to sit with him as he does the program and keep him focused but it has increased his skills in an otherwise hard area for him. He loves that he can play a set amount of lessons and the games button comes up; good motivation for him. I like that I can supplement the online game with the paper workbook when we are traveling with no access to a computer. I recommend this program for kids who seem to be frustrated with a traditional way of phonics mastery. -Laura B.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Explode the Code online!! I was debating between getting the workbooks or going the online route, and I am so glad that we chose the online version. Our main curriculum already incorporates phonics and handwriting, so ETC online works as tool to further his understanding. It's easy for my six year old to manage all on his own, and it's easy for me to quickly glance at the screen and see how he's doing (there are "buttons" on the side that he "earns" that tell me very easy whether he's mastered the concept or not.) I also have access to view what he needs more work on. I also love how I can use this as a multi-media/computer class as well. The greatest benefit is that he views this as a reward!!! I say that in order for him to "get" to do Explode the code, he has to complete all of his other written school work. It is amazing to me how he stays on task in order to be able to have computer time.�I am so very happy with this program and would recommend it fully (and I already do!!) to everyone and anyone! -Christy R.

My Son loves Explode-The-Code. He would spend more time on it, if I would let him. He is learning to spell and doesn't even realize it. I love how fun it is for him and how easy it is to use. We've shared this product with several other families. -Gail M.

Explode the code online has been a huge benefit for my family. The online program tracks the children and will back track them when they are not showing that they have actually mastered the content. This insures that the children do not go through the motions, with out mastering.�The online I feel is better than the workbook. My son completed the first 2 workbooks, but took over a month to master book 1 online, showing that he never actually mastered it.�I also love that the program automatically sets the work and dictates where they work, making it not required for me. The reward system has been a huge help in our home. Instead of requiring my children a set time or set of units, I can require a set numbeR of butterflies, encouraging them to do their best to get done. -Trish h.

My son has struggled to read. He's in 3rd grade, and pre ETC, he was reading at a first grade level, in spite of our having tried a number of reading programs.�He is a visual learner, and once we started ETC, he moved forward in leaps. He enjoys the work, and it's easy for him to proceed independently. He has used another online program, but this one seems to be much more enjoyable to him.�We will definitely continue to use it until he has covered all the material and reached reading proficiency for his age group. -Caryn.

My 6 yr old has been working with ETC for a year now. After teaching him to read for 2 yrs total, he is now sounding out words and HE says HE can read! It has been a long time coming, but it takes some kids longer to be ready to read.�I originally got ETC to get him motivated; a computer 'fun' program that he could use, just like his older sister got to do. While ETC is a little more work than it is fun, it is a proficient reading program.�ETC is a good program - when you commit to doing it at least 5 times a week. It can be too repetitive, and the grading is whole user based - and it may end up grading your kindergartner based on the 1st or 2nd grade work he's doing - so there might be a lot more 'less than proficient' scores and more wasps than butterflies when the program steps ahead to the next level - and I think that poor 'grade performance' can be discouraging to the parent/teacher. However, you can see and print out the history of progress reports and see that your little reader is heading in the right direction. And it is a good thing to teach your child that it's not the 'grade' you're currently getting, but the fact that you're LEARNING that is the important thing.� All in all, I"d recommend ETC, along with Reading Eggs and Math Seeds, Sound Partners/Bob Books, and flash card learning of sight words, and the small early readers We Both Read and the Meet the Sight Words Series. -Red H.

My children love this online program, and I love how it lets them tackle things at their own pace. The badge system makes it very easy for me to set definite accomplishment goals - like work through 10 badges a day. The system itself gives out the rewards - lady bugs and bees aren't desirable to my kids and they jump with joy when they manage to get an airplane. The immediate feedback is awesome.� On the teacher-side, seeing the reports of where they are struggling and getting suggestions on how to work through things with them is invaluable!�My oldest, a struggling reader, has been making steady progress and has actually started reading street signs and other things. His whole world is opening up thanks in large part to ETC.�I have the workbooks too, but this online system repeats the lesson as many times as the children need to do it, and there's also the immediate feedback and semi-independent work (freeing Mommy to get other things done)! LOVE the online system.�Yes, we will continue to use this system throughout the year and I'd love to recommend ETC to anyone in need of it. -Deb B.