Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Funetics?
Funetics is a series of 81 game-like lessons that make learning fun for 3 – 7 year-olds. Each lesson has an easy-to-follow script that makes it effortless for a parent or care-taker to teach their child to read. Each lesson also comes with a set of colorful, engaging worksheets that your child will use to complete the games and activities.
- What will my child learn with Funetics?
The first 34 lessons cover prereading skills such as color recognition, spatial relationships, shapes, and cardinal and ordinal number concepts. The remaining lessons teach reading skills such as identifying and printing letters, and recognizing consonant and vowel sounds, word families, and sight words. Funetics often combines several concepts in each lesson. It repeats and reviews concepts frequently.
- Is Funetics a computer-based or online learning program?
Funetics comes as a group of Adobe PDF files that you download to your computer and print on a desktop printer. (We also offer a pre-printed version.) Once you have printed a lesson you teach it in a traditional face-to-face manner with your child.
We believe the best learning experiences happen when an adult and a child spend time together. This is also the best way for you to discover what your child needs as he or she progresses through the course.
- Will the program help a child with reading problems or special needs?
Although Funetics was designed for and tested with "typical" learners, the program has been used with special needs students with positive results. That said, your results will depend on the nature of your child's needs.
One of Funetics' many advantages is that it doesn't require teaching experience. The scripted nature of the program makes it easy for anyone to use, including special-needs aids.
Regardless of your child's situation, our risk-free guarantee still applies: If you're not completely satisfied with your child's progress, you can cancel within 60 days of purchase and get a full refund.
- How does Funetics compare to other early reading programs?
Unlike computer-based programs, Funetics is a one-on-one experience. Your child interacts with you, not a computer screen.
Unlike other programs that use workbooks and flash cards, Funetics is much less complicated, repetitive and rigidly structured. You don't need training in education or hours of preparation. Just read the script and let the fun begin.
Finally, unlike programs that cost $150 or more, the complete Funetics program sells for $49.95. Why pay more for something that's no more effective?
- How can I decide if Funetics is right for my child?
Funetics’s is designed to teach fundamental reading skills and preschool concepts to children 3 to 6 years old. Your child does not have know any letter names or sounds. The lessons begin with basic skills and gradually increase in difficulty while keeping your child prepared along the way.
Funetics is also appropriate for children who can recognize some letters and words. You can either use the first few lessons to review basic skills or you can move ahead to lessons your child finds more challenging.
If your child is already reading, feel free to call or email us to discuss your needs to be sure the program is right for you.
- Can I use the program with more than one child?
Yes! Funetics is the only early reading program that expressly allows you to make copies for all members of your immediate family (siblings only). We ask that extended family members purchase separate copies of the program.
- How long do the lessons take, and how often should my child use Funetics?
Each lesson takes 20-30 minutes to complete. The duration depends on how long your child chooses to complete the activies. Some children meticulously color, draw, dance and sing their way through the entire lesson. Others race through with focused intensity. Either way can produce great results!
As for frequency, we recommend that your child get into a regular routine of using Funetics. A good schedule is typically 3 to 5 lessons per week, around the same time of day. With this schedule a child could complete all 81 lessons in just 4 to 8 months.
Of course, schedules vary and interruptions happen. No problem: You can always pick up where you left off. You can also repeat lessons if you feel too much time has passed since the last lesson.
- Can lessons be repeated or skipped?
You can repeat lessons as often as you and your child would like. We provide printed guidance throughout the program to help you determine whether your child has mastered key concepts or needs to review them.
Although it's rare for children to need repeat lessons, some of the games are so much fun that children ask to repeat them.
- Can I pay by check or money order?
Yes. Our online payment system accepts credit card or check payments via PayPal™. If you prefer, you can mail in a check or money order payable to Funetics, Inc. Mail your payment to:
Funetics, Inc.
826 Pinewood Drive
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Attn: Payments
Please include your e-mail address, mailing address, and the shipping address along with your payment. Once we receive your payment we will ship the Funetics Reading Program within 5 days.
If your check is returned by the bank due to non-sufficient funds (NSF) you will be charged an additional $20.
