Interview 42: Randall Klein (Early reading specialist)
This week I meet early reading specialist and Montessori-trained teacher Randall Klein about making early reading playful and motivating. Klein explains the “science of reading” as research that supports instruction moving from sound and speech to print and symbol, beginning with phonemic awareness and mapping letter sounds (not names) to pictures. He outlines a simple sequence: isolate beginning sounds, teach alphabet sounds in small clusters through varied games, then move to decoding with pictures and letter tiles, progressing from three- and four-letter words to sentences and decodable texts, emphasising repetition and practice at school and home. He describes adaptable classroom centres, digital Zoom versions of his games, the role of rhyming and audiobooks for vocabulary, and when to refer struggling readers to specialists such as Orton–Gillingham. He calls for accountability in curricula and teacher knowledge of children’s alphabet and decoding skills, and offers free resources, a PDF of games, a website, and contact details.Randall Klein BioRandall Klein is an early reading specialist and longtime Montessori educator who helps children ages 3–7 build the foundational skills they need to read with confidence. His work centers on one simple but powerful idea: when a child is struggling, the problem is usually specific, and instruction should be just as specific. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, Randall looks closely at where a child is in the reading process and matches practice to the exact skill that needs attention next.That perspective shaped the Klein Method of Early Reading Mastery, his sequence of skills and hands-on practice activities designed to move beginning and struggling readers toward early reading success. Randall’s approach focuses on the building blocks that matter most in the earliest years of reading: phonemic awareness, alphabet knowledge, decoding, and word identification. He specializes in translating the Science of Reading into practical strategies that teachers and parents can actually use with real children, not just in theory.Randall also brings a distinctive teaching model to the conversation: he teaches young children to read via Zoom. He says online tutoring creates more opportunities for repetition, practice, and game-based learning, while also allowing for a wider range of activities than many in-person settings. That makes his work especially relevant for families and educators looking for effective early reading support across distances, including children around the world.Through Early Reading Mastery, Randall has created a body of materials that includes workbooks, worksheets, literacy centers, instructional videos, a visual catalog of games, and the Klein Method tutorial. His products include Sounds, Letters, Words, Sentences, and Numbers, and his early reading workbooks are available on Amazon.com. He also offers a free consultation for parents seeking help with early reading skills.Randall’s professional mission is rooted in structure, repetition, and developmentally appropriate instruction for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and at-risk learners. In his own words, his goal is to build a “well-defined sequence of skills and practice activities” that helps children move successfully toward reading mastery. He emphasizes that with the right sequence and hands-on materials, educators can increase reading readiness before first grade and reduce reading failure among first graders.In the broader early literacy landscape, Randall’s work speaks directly to the growing demand for systematic, explicit reading instruction. He is focused on the gap between reading theory and classroom practice, especially for teachers and parents who need concrete tools they can use immediately. His teaching materials and demonstrations are designed to make foundational literacy skills visible, repeatable, and easier to implement with young children who need more support.Randall is also an experienced presenter and professional-development speaker on beginning and struggling readers, and his work is especially well suited to video podcast interviews because he can demonstrate instructional strategies, games, and activities on camera. For hosts looking for practical, high-value content on how children actually learn to read, Randall brings a clear point of view, a hands-on framework, and a strong visual teaching styleDownload some free reading games from Randall Klein00:00 Welcome and Setup01:34 Meet Randall Klein03:00 Reading as Play05:05 Science of Reading10:30 Skills Sequence19:12 Games and Zoom22:19 Classroom Adaptations25:27 Early Start and Rhymes30:00 Dyslexia and Referrals34:42 Policy and Accountability39:05 Resources and Contact42:16 Closing Thanks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe
