Spencer Russell’s son met one milestone significantly earlier than his peers: He started reading at 2 1/2 years old, and was reading fluently by age 3.
Most children are twice that age when they are reading easily.
Russell says his son was a typical toddler; apart from his “incredible gray eyes,” he didn’t consider him to be “above average.” But both his parents were kindergarten teachers who understood the science of teaching literacy and believed young children could grasp phonetic basics if taught the right way.
After the pair succeeded with their son, “I knew I could teach this to others,” Russell said.
Russell, who taught kindergarten and first grade for six years in an underserved Houston school, had moved to a job at an educational nonprofit. He made more money and had greater flexibility and time to spend with his family, but he still had a passion for teaching.
On May 30, 2021, he posted his first video on Instagram. He began breaking down early literacy learning for parents, step by step. At the time, he had zero social media followers and used a $15 microphone and $20 ring light to make the videos.
Nearly three years later, he’s become a viral sensation. He now has 3.5 million followers across all social media platforms for his Toddlers Can Read channel. He also sells digital courses, books and flashcards. Last year, he hired four full-time employees.
Unlike the discontinued "baby learning" videos of the early 2000s, which suggested babies could learn language from watching a screen, Russell’s videos are aimed at parents and caregivers. His teaching methods are based on the science of reading -- laying a foundation of phonetic awareness and blending of these sounds.
The chasm of educational inequity in America has a profound effect on student achievement. Per the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education, only 17% of Black fourth graders tested at or above the “proficient” level in a nationwide reading assessment. The number for white students was 42%. (These numbers are from 2022, the most recent year available. Source: nationsreportcard.gov.)
It sends a powerful message for parents of color to watch Russell -- a Black male teacher -- tell them their children are capable of far more than the system believes they can achieve.
“It’s not just reading tips,” Russell said. “It’s someone in your corner who believes you can do it.”
His audience is not "tiger moms" wanting to raise baby geniuses. He’s talking to parents who know that learning to read is fundamental to their child’s future survival and ability to thrive.
I talked to Russell after he delivered a keynote address to thousands of educators at SXSW EDU in Austin. I told him about a book I had discovered on homeschool sites more than 15 years ago, "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons," that I had used to teach my own toddlers to read. He was familiar with the book, which also uses a phonics-based system and has sold more than 1 million copies. It's a dense tome that requires a high degree of parental literacy and involvement.
Russell prefers the accessibility of videos, which demonstrate teaching techniques and strategies. Part of his mission is to create a cultural change around early literacy.
“So many people will tell me in private that they won’t share with their friends or tell their mom groups that they are doing this,” he said. There’s the fear of being judged as an overly demanding parent pushing a child beyond their developmental ability. It can also make other time-pressed parents feel uncomfortable or pressured that they should also be teaching their toddlers -- on top of everything else they are juggling.
That’s why Russell focuses on a low-key, no-pressure approach. Parents can gauge a child’s readiness to learn reading by observing their ability to physically pronounce sounds, remember basic objects and sounds, focus for a few minutes a day and be excited about the process. The point is to make the time together fun and engaging rather than creating anxiety around learning.
Children who become confident readers at a young age develop skills that help them throughout their schooling, and ultimately, throughout life.