Why doesn't Reading Eggs teach the alphabet in alphabetical order?
Written by Elizabeth Carlson
Updated at May 30th, 2026
The Reading Eggs programme has been designed to get students reading as quickly as possible. To do this, we initially need to focus on the sounds and high-frequency words that will enable students to read their first simple words and sentences. We want students to learn how letters make words and how these words can make sentences – sentences that they can read. This is why the programme does not progress in alphabetical order as Reading Eggs is all about learning the skills and strategies that are important when you are learning to read. Very early on in the programme, students learn that what they read has meaning and it makes sense. They also experience real success – students read their first story book in lesson 9 – and this is what learning to read is all about, reading books for meaning and enjoyment.