New Review by the Strictly Secular and Inclusive Homeschooling Group
On May 6, 2025 the Strictly Secular and Inclusive Homeschooling Group published a review of Literacy Playground. Here is their review:
Literacy Playground is unlike any other reading and writing program we have recommended or reviewed before. It is a fully personalized program to help your learner learn to read and write or to fill in the gaps, all while boosting their confidence. Not only is it customized to your learner, but they provide one-on-one support and feedback for the full year, for both you and your learner.
I received a sample box to get an idea of some of the items included in a launch box. This gave me a great overview on what participants can expect!
If you have a strong reader or writer this probably won’t be the best fit for you since it is meant to develop those skills. This program is a fantastic fit for pre-readers and those who need some extra support. Mohini is one of the most thoughtful, inclusive, and caring people I have met and that shows in every aspect of her program. The biggest difference between this and other programs is the one-on-one support. To read more and purchase, you can head over to https://literacyplayground.org/
The program with the launch box included is $497. This can be done as a split payment and will cover the launch box, full year of 1 on 1 support, plus all the additional activities, pdfs, and pen pal program. However, knowing that homeschool families are all a bit different, Mohini has set up a unique offer that you can only find through our group! More information about this offer from Mohini can be found below.
As always, please feel free to ask any questions you may have about our review.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THE PROGRAM OVERALL
You get 1-on-1 support throughout the year long program through WhatsApp and Voxer. This is what is so unique about the program! The support is not just for encouragement, but also for tackling any challenges that arise, adjusting the plan as necessary, and providing feedback on writing.
Diversity and inclusion are intentionally built in to the program, not tacked on or an after thought.
Everything is customized to the learner; their weekly/daily plans, the book choices included, the activities, and the feedback/support.
Neuro-affirming. While they do work with neurotypical kids as well, they have the skills and experience to support the challenges that can come with neurodiversity.
The overall program is meant to strengthen not only reading/writing skills but also the caregiver/child relationship.
After signing up, you are sent a questionnaire to fill out about your learner and family habits. This allows for a completely personalized plan for your family and lifestyle.
Social Emotional Learning is woven seamlessly throughout the program. One of the activities I loved the best from the samples was all about loving yourself!
Literacy Playground sources all of their books through Independent booksellers via bookshop.org or directly from the author/publisher.
The entire program is thoughtfully put together and researched back. Mohini, the owner, and Katherine both have extensive education, training, and experience in reading and writing and put all of that into their program.
The activities were varied so they allow for continued focused practice on skills, without getting repetitive and boring.
THINGS TO KNOW
There are two levels: Foundations and Rise.
While the website states the program is 15 mins/day 4 days/week, this is also customizable! Since homeschool families have different schedule set ups, the plan can be set up to fit in to your schedule for longer blocks.
For those looking for a screen free option, this is it. Besides the communication apps for support, everything is screen free.
This can be a full ELA program for Pre-K – 1st but is a supplemental program for 2nd grade +.
The plan covers 12 weeks of daily lesson plans. If you complete those before the year is up, you’re not out of luck! They will continue the 1 on 1 support plus provide supplemental pdfs, through email, to print at home and more book recommendations.
The first 2 months of the program are focused on strengthening reading and writing skills through building those daily habits.
After the first 2 months, learners are eligible to participate in the pen pal program. If they are interested, they can be paired up with another learner in the program around the same age and with similar interests, to help further develop their writing skills.
Another bonus after the first 2 months is the introduction of games and challenges to showcase the skills they have been working on.
While all the books chosen are tailored to the learner’s interests, the book selections are intentional about diversity and inclusion.
The first week is called Kick off week. You will have daily check-ins during that week to make sure everything goes smooth. After that, you still have access to support but it is not daily check-ins.
INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW BOX
Letters for My Future Self Write Kit by The Paxton Press (this allows the caregiver and learner see the progression of their writing skills)
Urban Infant Chunky Rainbow Chalk (This would be included in a foundations box for the activities)
A is for All the Things You Are by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Every foundations box includes an ABC book to fit the learner and their family, while also promoting diversity)
Pre-Reader Book Set (Alphabet Sounds and First Words) by Ram Has Jam Books (Teaches letter sound relationships and how to blend words. Ram Has Jam is a featured book set in the Foundations box)
Soccer Time! by Terry Pierce Step in to Reading Level 1 (Each kit comes with 8-12 fiction and non-fiction books to fit the learner’s interest)
Flying Lessons & Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh (This was a Rise level book choice)
The Yak Pack Comics & Phonics Book 1 Short Vowels (Foundations level comic/graphic novel style which is engaging)
Bright Littles Leaders Journal (incorporates SEL skills while developing writing skills)
Kindergarten Sight Word Dice (for Foundation level activities)
Non-toxic playdough (for Foundation level activities)
Sample Binder (this is where participants will find ALL of the material they need for the full year program)
PERSONALIZED BINDER
Caregiver resources and guides are included in the binder. These are made by Literacy Playground and are thoughtfully done. They have a great balance between giving important information and tips without being overwhelming.
Weekly schedules with daily task breakdowns are included. Tasks are broken down in to small, manageable chunks.
Step by step guides for specific skills like reading first words or tricky words. Guides explain the techniques first and why they are important, break it down in easy to follow and implement steps, provides activity options for practice, and provides a brief summary, plus what’s next.
The activity pages are provided in the binder, so it’s ready to go. Any additional pdfs provided after finishing the initial plan will have to be printed but are provided through the full year. The activities themselves are clearly defined and explained.
Writing instruction and activities are broken down in to multiple steps to make it more manageable, while still working towards a bigger project.
Note taking skills are part of the program.
Provides learner reference sheets with reminders and tips for writing. They are laminated for durability.
FOUNDATIONS LEVEL
This level is designed for pre-readers ages 4+.
The Launch box includes:
8-12 books with a mix of non-fiction and fiction
Physical tools such as sight word dice.
Personalized binder with all the materials you need.
1 on 1 support for a year.
The books included are sequenced so your learner can continue moving up as their skills improve.
Activities included are multi-sensory.
RISE LEVEL
This level is designed for learners 6+ that can read independently but may need extra support to fill in knowledge gaps, address challenges, or boot confidence.
The Launch box includes:
8-12 paperback books with a mix of non-fiction and fiction.
Letters to my Future Self Kit.
Personalized binder with all the materials you need.
1 on 1 support for a year.
Games and challenges are included to showcase the skills learned.
(You can learn more about the Strictly Secular and Inclusive Homeschooling Group here.)
