We all want our kids to grow as readers. But teaching reading, especially to beginning and developing readers, can seem a little tricky. There are lots of “moving parts” that have to come together for reading to occur. That’s why I was so excited to be a part of developing some apps that can help kids grow as readers!
The ultimate goal of reading is to make meaning. After all, it’s hard to enjoy a book or learn something new from a text if we’re not able to understand it. For young readers and even struggling readers, making meaning comes at a price, if you will. Before the meaning comes, they need to be able to read (or decode) the actual words themselves.
While there are many great ways to help kids learn to read the words, one of my passions is using spelling instruction to do so. No, not the “write your words 5 x times each” spelling instruction you may have used when you went through school, but a systematic, developmentally appropriate study of words that requires kids to analyze, categorize, compare, and spell words by their shared phonics patterns. This approach is called word study and is a fantastic tool for helping kids see how the English language has been organized.
Apps to Help Kids Grow as Readers
Even better, I have been so excited to be a part of developing some apps that feature fun activities in the style of the word study approach. So far, we have three apps (Alphabet Sounds, Short Vowel Word Study App, and Long Vowel Word Study App), but there are plans to create two more!
Each app has multiple learning levels so it can grow with your reader. Within each level are four kinds of activities to get kids sorting, analyzing words and word patterns, spelling, and writing. And, of course, each app includes a fun section that sneaks in more word learning.
All three are available on Google Play or iTunes for only $2.99. They make a great supplement to any reading instruction, whether in the classroom or at home.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
Looking for more reading resources for kids? Check out 10 Free Reading Programs that Continuously Offer Free Books to Kids.
You will also like to check out Best Phonics Learning Tools for Kids, Best Sight Word Learning Tools for Kids, and Best Spelling Learning Tools for Kids.
Becky is a former teacher/tutor and now homeschooling mama to 4 little blessings who keep her on her toes {and knees}. She is fueled by a passion for literacy and loves to share it with others through printables, reading curricula, learning apps, and literacy activities over at This Reading Mama.