All About Learning Press Review: Can You Use It for Struggling Readers?

• Best for families who want open-and-go lessons with clear, step-by-step teaching and built-in review.
• Best for kids who need confidence—AAR’s controlled readers help many students feel successful because they can actually read what’s in front of them.
• Not ideal if you need “hand it to the child and walk away.” These programs are typically parent-led, especially in the early levels.

This matters because All About Learning is not “one workbook and done.” A typical AAR level includes a teacher manual, a student packet, and readers—and AALP also expects you to use a review system and tiles.

One reason parents stay with AALP is that the lessons don’t require you to invent anything. Lessons are meant to be short, consistent, and adjustable—especially if your child needs smaller chunks.

• AAR: many families plan around 20 minutes a day, with the expectation that some lessons naturally spill over multiple days.

• AAS: commonly 20–30 minutes, often split across the week (or alternated with reading).

A common beginner-friendly rhythm that shows up in parent summaries is 4–5 days of reading, then adding spelling once reading basics are underway—without trying to “finish the numbered lesson” when attention runs out.

AAR lessons tend to follow a predictable flow that kids can settle into:

• Quick review using phonogram/word cards

• Read the boxed scripted teaching portion

• Build words with tiles (changing one tile at a time)

• optional activity page if attention allows

• read part of a story, stopping while your child still feels successful

That last point—stopping while it’s still going well—shows up again and again in parent feedback as a quiet “secret sauce” for keeping resistance low and confidence high.

AAS has a similarly predictable pattern: review, one new rule/phonogram, tile spelling, then writing/dictation. That routine is part of what makes it feel doable even when spelling has been stressful in the past.

Parents praise AALP for being truly teachable even if you’ve never taught reading before. That’s not just marketing—many families say the “tell you exactly what to say and do” scripting is what made them finally feel capable.

Here are the strengths that come up most often:

• Beginner-friendly scripting and low daily planning load
• Mastery-based pacing with built-in review (less “Swiss cheese learning”)
• Confidence gains for discouraged learners—especially due to decodable/controlled text and visible progress tracking
• Engagement through games and hands-on work rather than rote memorization

The biggest negatives aren’t usually about the teaching quality—they’re about logistics and fit.

• Moving parts: cards, tiles, review boxes, manuals, readers… it can feel like a lot in a small space.
• Parent involvement: this is not typically independent work, especially early on.
• AAR is not a complete language arts program; families often add handwriting, writing, and rich read-alouds.
• Some families find early pacing slow (which is either the problem or the gift, depending on your child).

Also, the official AAR Level 1 materials page includes a choking hazard warning for small parts.

This is one of AALP’s strongest lanes. AALP actively positions AAR as a fit for dyslexia support and emphasizes Orton-Gillingham roots. Parents specifically mention success with kids who are anxious, sensitive, ADHD, or who stalled with other programs—often because the program is structured, predictable, and adjustable.

What helps in practice is the built-in permission to slow down. AALP’s guidance and parent summaries repeatedly reflect the idea that you can stretch a step across days (or longer) without “breaking” the program.

This is where AALP becomes much more accessible for a lot of families. Because many components are non-consumable, used curriculum can dramatically cut your entry cost—especially if you’re careful about completeness.

• Watch for AALP seasonal promos (for example: AALP ran a 10% “Buy Early” sale in June 2025 and free shipping promos at certain times).

• Buy the reusable components used (manuals, readers, tiles, review box), then replace only what’s truly consumable.

• Shop local used curriculum stores where you can physically check what’s included (this is one reason stores like First Homeschool are such a practical fit—less mystery, fewer missing pieces).

• Shop online marketplaces like eBay, but use a checklist and confirm exactly what’s in the listing.

Used-buying checklist (to avoid the “missing pieces” headache):

• Teacher’s Manual (correct level/edition)
• Student Packet components (cards, activity book pages, progress charts—varies by level)
• Readers for that level
• Letter Tiles (or plan to use the app)
• Review box/dividers (or your own card box solution)

One of the best “mixed strategy” approaches for budget-minded families is: buy a clean used set locally (or through a trusted used seller), keep student pages unmarked when possible, and plan ahead for which pieces you’d rather replace new for sanity.

AALP tends to work best when the parent actually feels confident using it—because the child picks up on that calm. Families repeatedly say the scripts reduce intimidation, and the predictable lesson flow keeps things from turning into daily negotiations.

For the student, engagement often comes from the hands-on nature (tiles, games, activity pages) and the emotional win of being able to read the stories independently because they truly match what’s been taught.

If you want a program that is structured, supportive, and built for real learning—not just “getting through a book”—AALP is a strong bet. It’s especially compelling if reading has been stressful, if you suspect dyslexia or a learning difference, or if you simply want a plan that tells you what to do without constant research and second-guessing.

The two biggest truths to plan around are these: it’s more expensive upfront if purchased new, and it works best with consistent adult involvement. For many families, the sweet spot is pairing AALP’s structure with a smart purchasing strategy—local used options (like First Homeschool), careful eBay set-buying, or a used/new mix that keeps quality high without paying full retail for every component.

Publishers, authors, and service providers never pay for a spot in my reviews. Occasionally, they may provide a complimentary review copy or grant online access so I can evaluate a program firsthand.

A quick disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share resources I genuinely believe will be helpful to homeschool families. This disclosure is made in line with the FTC’s endorsement guidelines (16 CFR, Part 255).