According to scientific studies, we already know that the brain grows the fastest between 0-4 years of age, and at 5 years is almost finish growing. Based on Maria Montessori's theories, a child in this age group has an "absorbent mind". In order to prepare a child for an education system that values the curriculum above the child, I would focus on helping them develop a strong foundation before they enter it.

Why does a child's interest in reading decrease? Why is there a 180 degree change in attitude? Could it be that you've become "helicopter" parent? Have you let your frustrations out on your child because of your own lack of ability to help them? A good reading system should be a set of simple steps that are taught with active play and games. No extra learning materials required. It should be practiced on a daily basis to produce confident and willing readers. If blending and decoding are systematic,  enthusiastic students can jump right in and start trying out new words. Encourage kids to read anything from street signs to cereal boxes!

Learning how to read doesn’t have to be hard or strenuous. It is definitely not a chore. I recommend parents with young kids (ages 0-4) build a healthy reading habit and instill the joy of stories to prepare them before they start school. That's why I developed Quick Fix Phonics - The Maelan Way™, a 4-hour program for parents to quickly learn about phonics and how to teach it. Then the real fun begins! The child and parent become more confident day by day as they can read more words and enjoy stories together. The key is to provide a stress-free environment where the child feels safe to try out their new skills. As long as they're using it every day, at some point they'll start to amaze you with the words they can read! From there on, there's no limit to their reading potential, and you might even find them tackling more advanced phonics and words by themselves.