Headsprout Early Reading - Print Knowledge

Headsprout® Early Reading

Program Description

Headsprout® Early Reading is an online supplemental literacy program designed to support early readers. The curriculum consists of 80 interactive, 20-minute episodes that provide individualized instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The first 40 episodes focus on foundational reading skills for pre-kindergarten students. The program adapts to students’ responses, offering targeted reviews when needed. Teachers can supplement learning with corresponding print materials to reinforce key concepts.

Student Population

Headsprout® Early Reading has been studied in preschool classrooms within Head Start centers in Florida. The study included 62 children across five classrooms, providing insights into its effectiveness among early learners from diverse backgrounds. This included African American and Hispanic, and students with English as their second language.

Current Evidence

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reviewed research on Headsprout® Early Reading and found potentially positive effects on oral language and print knowledge. The program demonstrated an improvement index of +22 percentile points in both areas. However, no studies meeting WWC standards have evaluated its impact on phonological processing, early reading and writing, cognition, or mathematics. (WWC Report)

For More Information

WWC Intervention Report: Headsprout® Early Reading

Huffstetter, M. (2005). The effects of an Internet-based program on the early reading and oral language skills of at-risk preschool students and their teachers’ perceptions of the program. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, Tampa. (68813195)