Q. How long will my child be able to use this program?

A. The amount of time that your child will use this program — from start to finish — will vary greatly depending on how frequently you use it with your child and how long you spend on each lesson. We recommend that families try using the program three times a week, for 15- to 30-minute lessons. With this in mind, allow your child's natural pace to lead you.

Q. Does everyone use this program the same way?

A. Absolutely not! Different families find ways to make the program work for them, tailoring the program to their own needs. Making the program work for you and your child is an important key to success.

Q. How long is a typical lesson?

A. We recommend that a typical lesson last between 15 and 30 minutes. This is generally enough time for your child to warm up by practicing skills that have been introduced in previous activities, to learn one or more new sounds, and to end the lesson by reading a workbook story or HOP Book to you. However, it's important to tailor lessons to whatever amount of time suits your child best; you can tailor lessons to any length of time, no matter how short.

Q. What happens in a typical lesson?

A. What you do in the program depends on where you are in the program. We suggest that you begin each lesson with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up, either by having your child reread the HOP Book or workbook story last read, by practicing a Review page that was challenging, or by playing Word Play. Then, spend 5 to 10 minutes learning a new skill by picking up in the workbook wherever you ended the last lesson.

Q. What if my child seems to be moving slowly or very quickly?

A. It's perfectly normal for your child to move at a different pace from a sibling or friend who is also using the program. Children learn at different speeds. Your child's pace may vary over time depending on the difficulty of the material, and your child's changing ability to focus on the material.

Q. Will it work for my child?

A. See the results for yourself! Over 90% of parents say "It works!" (Results based on a June 2000 survey of 500 customers, conducted by an independent research firm.)