Tim was due to start reception and during the lockdown like most mums, I am always looking for resources to help when teaching the boys but more importantly, we want learning to be fun for them.

I cannot recall learning phonics as a child. I have since learnt how important it is for them to learn their phonics first before their alphabets.

I am still trying to learn this so when we do some learning at home, he isn’t confused at school because he learnt a wrong pronunciation of the sound. Learning phonics is an important skill, when learning to read

I was so pleased when I first heard about The bear can read on instagram. I love the fact that it supports teaching children phonics at home.

The boys were excited to receive their package from The bear can read, personalised with their name on the box, which added to the thrill.

Joel’s box is for 2-3yrs old (Cubs) and helps in the development of the skills and knowledge needed for reading.

Tim’s box is for 4-5yrs old (Koala), which is for early readers and builds on and supplements lessons on letters and sound combinations and is based on what he would be learning in school.

Tim was excited to open his box and was drawn to the book Tin Man Tim by Celia Warren. He kept smiling because the book had his name on it. This was the book he wanted us to read first and by reading this book alone we practised 8 sounds /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, /n/, /m/ and /d/

Tim is able to recognise his name which is fab and shows how repetition also plays a role with learning.

There were three educational reading books in total, key sounds flash cards , 7 activity sheets, a progress chart and stickers

We have started working through some of the activities. Tim loved doing the digging mole maze game and the sandcastle matching game

I have recently received Tim’s reception timetable and saw that these activity correlates with what he will be learning next week in school.

However,since I am not very confident with phonics and the sounds may consider subscribing to the Teddy box or just stick with the Koala as I don’t need to search for resources because they have simplified the process for me and provided what is needed in a box.

Every month you get new activities and books which helps your child gain more confidence and become independent readers.

The only thing I would love to see would be either a CD or a QR code with a web video link to the sounds because I wasn’t sure I was making the right sounds when pronouncing the letters. For now will look for this on Youtube.

Joel’s box was full of so many lovely activities even Tim wanted to join in the fun. The bear and dice game was the main highlight for us. Tim kept looking for a dice in his own box.

The Cub box had a book for reading, 6 activities, spotlight card which states the focus for the month, nursery rhyme card and a progress chart with stickers.

We love the monthly subscription box model and this one in particular has enough activity to last the full month for us. It also offers good value for money. We hope to share our story as we make progress with this.

How to order

1. Visit the The bear can read website and fill out the form with your child’s detail
2. Get 10% off with code WELCOME10
3. They also offer discount off a second box for siblings.

We were sent the box to review.

We hope you find the above useful when trying to decide if this box is for you.