Reading failure isn’t just an academic roadblock—it’s a serious child health issue with lasting consequences. Literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong health. When children fall behind in reading, they face a higher risk of health challenges later in life.
Yet, many children are behind. About 40% of students nationwide cannot read at a basic level. And fewer than one-third of fourth graders in the U.S. scored at a proficient level on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading assessment. Teachers also report needing more support and resources to help struggling readers catch up.
Reading BrightStart! is a proven, research-based early literacy program designed to fill in the gaps. It’s more than just another reading program. It changes the trajectory of a child’s long-term health by fostering a strong reading foundation.
Keep reading for an in-depth look at the Reading BrightStart! curricula. By the end of this article, you’ll know what it is, what it entails, and what sets it apart from other early literacy programs.
What is the Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart!Ⓡ curricula?
Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart!Ⓡ (NCRBS!) delivers a unique, science-based approach to promoting reading success. Developed by Nemours Children’s Health, one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States, the multisensory curriculum combines practical, research-based tools with principles from child development, early education, and pediatric health to strengthen early literacy skills. Multiple studies have shown that participation in the program can result in an average literacy gain of 114%, with 66% of children advancing into the age-appropriate range upon completing the program.
NCRBS! offers two programs designed to help struggling readers from Pre-K through first grade build foundational reading skills aligned with early learning standards.
Level One is a unique, interactive, and fun program designed to boost early literacy skills in preschool-aged children, particularly in 4-year-old classrooms. Each lesson blends early literacy best practices with a hands-on approach to help emerging and struggling readers strengthen their reading readiness.
The 20-lesson program focuses on five foundational literacy skills to give children a strong start in reading:
- Print awareness
- Letter knowledge
- Phonological awareness
- Oral language
- Emergent writing
Level Two is an intensive, engaging program designed to teach foundational reading skills to beginning and at-risk readers in kindergarten and first grade. The program aligns with the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework and is typically used as a Tier 2 intervention for children who need additional support with early literacy concepts.
The 36-lesson program reinforces the Level One skills and adds:
- Phonics
- Fluency
Designed for small-group instruction, NCRBS! gives children the opportunity to build early literacy skills one-on-one or in small groups. This supportive setting fosters confidence while giving teachers clearer insight into each child’s progress.
NCRBS! is aligned with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and can be adapted to meet federal, state, and district standards. A Kaplan representative can help you review how the program fits with your specific requirements.
What makes Reading BrightStart! stand out from other early literacy interventions?
Not all early literacy programs are created equal, and it can be hard to know which will have the greatest impact. Here’s how NCRBS! goes beyond the basics to provide children with the strongest possible start:
1. Large emphasis on phonological awareness
Phonological awareness, or understanding the sounds that make up words, is the strongest predictor of future reading success. In fact, reading challenges are often linked to a disconnect in phonological awareness.
That’s why it’s one of the core components of the Level One NCRBS! program. The curriculum provides targeted activities that strengthen core phonological awareness skills, like syllable awareness, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and rhyme production. It teaches children how to break spoken language into smaller parts, which is a foundational skill for learning to read and write.
2. Failure-free instruction
Confidence plays a crucial role in early literacy. Confident learners are more likely to take risks, persevere through challenges, and view mistakes as learning opportunities. Reading BrightStart! is designed so that struggling learners feel successful in their efforts to build foundational literacy skills.
This instructional approach uses research-based tools and techniques to minimize frustration and prevent repeated failure as children learn new skills. It sets them up for success, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment that boosts confidence, motivation, and engagement.
3. Explicit and systematic lesson plan design
Many children struggle with reading, not because they can’t learn, but because early literacy instruction isn’t always clear or consistent. Reading BrightStart! makes learning straightforward, so every child receives the same instruction, regardless of who’s teaching.In practice, that means:
- Digestible lessons that break down reading concepts into simple, manageable steps.
- Supportive dialogue, or scripts, to guide teachers on what to say and how to say it during literacy instruction.
- Scaffolding of key skills to clearly demonstrate and model what children should do and how to do it. It begins with a great deal of support and pares back as lessons progress.
- Opportunities for practice, repetition, and review. Children have numerous opportunities, through explicit modeling, to learn and connect with early literacy skills.
Plus, each lesson comes with its own folder containing everything teachers need for the week, making it easy to stay organized and focused on teaching.
4. Multisensory, screen-free learning
Reading BrightStart! excludes screens, aligning with best practices in pediatric and brain development. Rather than using computers or apps, the intervention is provided one-on-one or in small groups by trained professionals.Additionally, both levels of the Reading BrightStart! curricula use a unique approach to learning, encouraging children to See it, Hear it, Do it, and Touch it to master a new skill or concept. The multisensory curriculum ensures that children engage with two or more pathways in every activity, which, according to brain science research, increases understanding and retention.
To make letter learning multisensory, for example, children might:
- See it! See the letters with alphabet cards or a mirror to watch themselves form them.
- Hear it! Cover their ears when saying a letter to focus on its sound.
- Do it! Trace the letter in the air or use their body to form its shape.
- Touch it! Trace the letter in a small sandbox or form it with clay or yarn.
And it works! In a recent survey by Nemours Children’s Health, over 90% of U.S. teachers reported seeing the value in multi-sensory, screen-free learning.
How do you know which curriculum level is best?
Reading BrightStart! can benefit all children, but it’s particularly helpful for those struggling with early literacy concepts. Use the chart below to determine the recommended program level for each child.
|
Grade Level |
Student Literacy Level |
Recommended NCRBS! Level |
|
Pre-K |
Exceed literacy standards |
Level Two |
|
Meet literacy standards |
Level One |
|
|
Need help meeting standards |
Level One |
|
|
Kindergarten |
Exceed literacy standards |
Not recommended |
|
Meet literacy standards |
Level Two |
|
|
Need help meeting standards |
Level Two |
|
|
First Grade |
Exceed literacy standards |
Not recommended |
|
Meet literacy standards |
Not recommended |
|
|
Need help meeting standards |
Level Two |
Reading BrightStart! also offers a family literacy website that includes a free reading screener for parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children. The questionnaire provides a current snapshot of the child’s reading readiness skills to share with teachers and guide next steps. Parents and caregivers can also find literacy articles, book recommendations, and age-appropriate activities to engage children in literacy at home.
Does Reading BrightStart! align with the Science of Reading?
Yes! In case you’re new to the term, the Science of Reading is a growing body of scientific research that explains how children best learn to read. It emphasizes teaching the "big five" foundational literacy skills in a clear, step-by-step way for effective reading instruction.
Reading BrightStart! was built on the same key principles the Science of Reading has validated over decades of reading research. The program:
Follows recommendations by the National Early Literacy Panel. This group of experts analyzes research to identify the most effective methods for helping young children learn to read.
Delivers explicit and systematic instruction so that teachers can guide children step by step as they build essential early literacy skills.
Builds on five foundational literacy skills. These include Print Awareness, Letter Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Oral Language, and Emergent Writing.
Reinforces language comprehension and vocabulary skills. It emphasizes conversation and read-alouds to engage children in rich language experiences.
Uses a multisensory approach. Lessons engage all learning styles to deepen understanding and retention.
Incorporates key learning objectives that support language and literacy development. These also align with state and national early learning standards.
What’s included in the Nemours Children's Reading BrightStart! curriculum?
Kaplan offers two curricula levels: NCRBS! Complete Program for Literacy Success: Level One and Level Two.
The Complete Level One program includes:
- Lesson plan box with 20 lessons, featuring fun, hands-on activities that introduce early literacy concepts.
- Manipulative kit that corresponds to the lessons.
- A set of 16 books that align with the letter, skills, or theme of each lesson.
- Two song charts and music CDs to teach reading through music and movement.
- Milestone map to track reading readiness and progress.
- Observation sheets to track children’s progress throughout each lesson.
The Complete Level Two program includes:
- Lesson plan box featuring 36 intensive lessons, with over 300 foundational reading activities and corresponding multisensory materials.
- Printable decodable readers that are carefully sequenced to help children practice what they’ve learned. These can be printed and read during small-group instruction.
- Teacher’s guide with in-depth instructions on how to use the Level Two program.
- Manipulative kit that corresponds to the lessons, with letter bean bags.
- Chart book with rhymes and poems to reinforce key literacy skills.
- Skill development checklists to monitor children’s progress.
Both program levels include additional components to enrich learning and support children both in the classroom and at home:
Family connection component. Each lesson includes a family letter that details what the child learned that week, along with prompts to help them reinforce these skills at home. It also comes with a letter bracelet for children to wear, focusing on the letter covered that week.
Adaptive and accelerated strategies. At the back of every lesson plan, you’ll find modifications based on the lesson difficulty. Adaptive strategies are ideal for children still struggling with a particular letter or skill, while accelerated strategies tailor lessons for older children or those who caught on quickly.
How much does Nemours Children's Reading BrightStart! cost?
If you’re just getting started with Reading BrightStart!, we recommend purchasing the complete curriculum kit. It contains everything you need to get the program up and running in one package.
Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! The Complete Program for Literacy Success: Level One: $1,099.95
The complete kit includes lesson plans, books, manipulatives, and milestone maps. If you need extras, each component is available separately:
- Lesson Plans: $499.95
- Book Set: $165.95
- Manipulatives: $440.95
- Milestone Map (English or Spanish): $3.95 each
Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! The Complete Program for Literacy Success: Level Two: $1,759.95
Like Level One, you can purchase components individually if you need more:
- Lesson Plans: $1,484.95
- Manipulatives: $324.95
Kaplan also offers several add-ons to support all children’s reading readiness beyond the core curriculum:
The NemoursⓇ Reading BrightStart! A Parent’s Guide to Reading Readiness equips parents and caregivers with information on how to support their child on their reading journey. Available in English and Spanish, you can purchase one book for $4.95 or a set of 20 for $84.95.
Additional resources to engage and expand dual language learning, in the classroom and at home, including:
- 10 Best Practices for Developing Book Experiences for Dual Language Learners, available for $16.95
- Spanish Read Aloud Book Set (set of 13), available for $154.95
- Beginning Readers Books in English and Spanish (set of 16), available for $99.95
Does Kaplan offer curriculum implementation training and professional development?
Yes! While Reading BrightStart! is a proven tool for boosting reading readiness in young children, its impact depends on how well teachers implement it in the classroom.Reading BrightStart! offers both virtual and face-to-face professional development and customized training opportunities for early childhood professionals.
NCRBS! Certified Trainer courses for both NCRBS! The Complete Program for Literacy Success: Level One and Level Two. These 7-hour “train the trainer” courses prepare program administrators to coach their teachers in delivering high-quality literacy instruction to children who are struggling or emerging readers. Graduates gain the skills to train teachers within their program or district, ensure program fidelity, and monitor student progress.
Hands-on teacher training provides a deep dive into the two levels of curricula, so your staff has the tools to use them effectively. These sessions combine face-to-face lecture, interactive demonstration, and small group assignments to help educators:
- Learn the fundamentals of the curriculum and how to put it into practice
- Discover research-based strategies for teaching diverse learners
- Practice using kit materials and lesson plans to deliver literacy activities
- Learn how to adapt the program for individualized instruction
One-day training for up to 30 participants starts at $3,500 for local travel or $4,500 for non-local travel (for any location more than 250 miles from Jacksonville, FL). This fee includes training with materials and resources provided.
To request a quote or to learn more about their training and professional development offerings, email the NemoursⓇ team at nemoursbrightstart@nemours.org.
Is Reading BrightStart! right for your classroom?
When it comes to early literacy instruction, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s a closer look at what makes the program effective to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your preschool or early elementary classroom:
- Supplements core curriculum: NCRBS! is designed to be used in addition to a comprehensive curriculum, and works seamlessly with all of Kaplan’s curricula options.
- Easy to deliver: Each lesson is scripted with explicit instructions so that almost anyone can teach the program, including classroom teachers, assistants, or volunteers.
- Supports flexible application: Used as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 intervention or as part of a summer bridge or summer reading program.
- Tailored for early intervention: Although designed for all students, NCRBS! specifically supports young children at risk for reading failure.
- Taught in small groups: Delivered during center or small-group time, each session runs 10–15 minutes each day.
Set children on the path to reading success with Nemours Children's Reading BrightStart!
NCRBS! goes beyond teaching early reading skills. It builds the literacy foundation that shapes not just children’s success in school but their lifelong health. It applies proven, evidence-based practices that adapt to children’s learning needs to build critical early literacy skills, especially for struggling readers. It’s also easy to implement for both new and seasoned teachers.
Are you interested in learning more? Contact a Kaplan curriculum expert today to see if the Reading BrightStart! curriculum is the right fit for your classroom.
