Frequently Asked Questions

The Langford Method combines learning with habit formation. Drawing on Sylvia Langford's more than 40 years of experience, it focuses on six practical habits — following instructions, self-control, independence, calmness, willingness to act and practice — alongside skills such as language, concentration and mental maths.

• Following Instructions: understanding and carrying out what is asked.
• Self-Control: managing emotions, impulses and behaviour independently.
• Independence: making decisions and completing tasks with gradually less help.
• Calmness: staying calm enough to listen, observe and interact with others.
• Willingness to Act: beginning a task, keeping going and finishing it, even when they don't feel like it.
• Practice: making a regular and focused effort to develop skills and habits.

In the early years, adults' consistency helps establish these habits. As children grow, they gradually take greater responsibility for putting them into practice.

The programs are designed for children aged 2 to 10. Shaka is designed for children aged 2 to 5, while Bamboo and Boomerang are designed for children aged 6 to 10, with activities suited to each stage of development. There are 97 individual programs across different levels and languages, all included in a single subscription.

Families access the online platform, where they find materials, videos and step-by-step guides to work with their children in a practical and engaging way. Sessions take about 10 minutes a day. Each child can progress at their own pace.

Yes. We offer a platform for schools and early childhood centres that includes a management dashboard for teachers, progress tracking by class and structured programs for use in the classroom.

No. The Langford Method is designed so that parents can use the programs easily, regardless of their background. The platform guides them step by step.

Sessions take about 10 minutes a day. Short, consistent practice allows children to work on self-control, willingness to act and other habits alongside their learning skills.

The platform is online, so families can use it wherever they have an internet connection.

Every child develops at their own pace. Some families tell us they notice changes such as:

• Greater self-control and concentration
• Greater independence and responsibility
• Calmer and more cooperative behaviour at home
• Greater speed in mental maths
• A growing vocabulary in English and, where applicable, in Spanish or Mandarin Chinese

Eligible first-time family subscribers receive a 14-day trial starting when they enrol. Payment details are required. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, your selected monthly or annual subscription begins automatically. Cancel before the trial ends and no subscription payment is charged. There is one free trial per family.

Up to three children can use the same subscription, with access to all included programs. You can choose a monthly or annual subscription. Visit the Pricing page for more details.

You can take our free 2-Minute Family Habits Quiz to explore your child's everyday habits, or start your free trial directly.

Once inside the platform, create your child's profile, explore the programs and use the optional starting-point guidance if you need help choosing where to begin.

The programs combine habit formation with skills development. In about 10 minutes a day, children practise language, mental maths and other skills while working on habits such as self-control, willingness to act and regular practice.

Each program includes 50 sessions of about 10 minutes, structured to support regular practice and gradual progress.

About 10 minutes. Sessions are short and structured, and are designed with children's age and attention span in mind.

Yes. Children can work on two or more programs in parallel. A single subscription provides access to all available programs.

Assessments and progress reports help families and teachers follow learning. The assessment sequence depends on the program.

• The Bamboo and Boomerang programs each include initial, progress and final assessments to compare learning.

Comparing results at the beginning, during the program (progress) and at the end makes it possible to observe changes over time.

Academic results do not automatically measure the six habits. Reports can show academic results and participation information. Habits are best seen through adult observation, alongside the child's own sense of their effort.

It depends on the program. Not every program offers both.

• Shaka uses paper exercise books.
• Bamboo Introduction to Addition & Subtraction and Boomerang Letters also use paper exercise books.
• For these book-based programs, families can download and print the book or buy it through the Amazon link.
• The main Bamboo levels use online practice at home.
• Boomerang themed vocabulary uses online written and spoken practice, with optional downloadable crosswords.

See what each program uses

Children reflect on their effort in the online programs using a one-to-five-star rating. This self-assessment is separate from the automatic marking of academic exercises. In the printed books or worksheets, children shade the character's hand to reflect on their effort.

Willingness to act is a child's ability to begin a task, keep going and finish it, even when they don't feel like it: “I don't feel like it, but I can begin.” It isn't about pushing through at any cost or simply doing as they're told. It is one of the six habits at the centre of the Langford Method and develops through small, consistent steps and regular practice.

Language is fundamental to communication, understanding and clear expression. These skills are important both for learning at school and for everyday life.

The programs progressively expand children's vocabulary through learning activities and practice. Depending on the program, they also work on skills related to language and communication.

• Shaka is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, except Shaka Green, which is Spanish-only.
• Boomerang themed vocabulary is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

See what each program uses

Young children tend to be very open to new sounds and words, and starting early gives them more years of regular practice. Learning another language can also spark curiosity about other people and cultures.

Yes. Many children around the world grow up learning two or more languages at once. Mixing words from different languages is a normal part of learning and usually fades with time. The programs present each language separately, so children can practise them one at a time.

There's no single right age. Children can start a second language from early childhood, and the Langford programs include language activities from age 2. What matters most is short, regular practice.

Mental maths provides opportunities to practise number fluency and develop strategies for solving calculations. These skills are part of learning mathematics and are used in many everyday situations.

The programs are organised into progressive stages covering addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Each child can progress at their own pace and practise each skill before moving on to the next.

The multiplication tables are taught across three levels, with 50 sessions in each level. The time needed to complete them depends on each child's starting level and pace of progress.