Learning to read is a monumental milestone in a child's life, and parents play a vital role in this journey. In our technology-driven world, educational apps have emerged as powerful tools for parents to facilitate their child's literacy development. A good educational app provide the scaffolding, visual aids, and easy-to-follow content that can make the learning process not only effective but also enjoyable.   

It's important to emphasize that these apps are meant to serve as learning tools. I strongly recommend using these apps alongside your child and gradually adjusting reading levels and difficulty as you observe their readiness. The apps recommended prove to be highly effective when both parents and children use them together. 

Planning Tip:

Dedicate 15 minutes each day to work on these recommended reading apps with your child. This consistent practice will produce the best results, enhance your child's reading skills, provide enjoyable bonding time, and strengthen your involvement in their education.

Remember, begin with enthusiasm and end on a high note. Avoid overextending the reading time to keep the spark alive!

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a fully free educational app that offers a wide range of subjects, including language, reading, math, and logic. In the reading section, you'll find many engaging activities designed to boost essential skills crucial for your child's reading development. All the reading lessons are interactive, allowing your child to practice these skills in a fun and motivating way.

Pro Tip: Every child learns at their own pace. You may have to adjust the age/grade setting to find the best suited level for your child's learning. You can adjust the level in the reading section to the top right as shown in the photo.

Khan Academy is an excellent learning platform that covers numerous reading concepts and provides a diverse selection of books. When you explore the reading section, you'll discover a range of lesson activities grouped into categories such as digraphs & blends, sight words, foundational reading skills, and story-based lessons.

In the Books section, you can choose from a wide variety of books, including both fiction and non-fiction, catering to different interests. Additionally, you have the option to either "Read to Me" or "Read by Myself."

Starfall

Starfall is another well known learning app and offers a free limited version. However, the free version is excellent and provides ample resources for teaching and guiding your young reader.

Starfall includes four reading learning levels: ABCs, Learn to Read, It's Fun to Read, and I'm Reading. When determining where to start, consider your child's needs. A helpful tip is to begin with an easier level and gradually progress. Remember, reviewing reading concepts recently learned is always good practice.

Starfall provides mini lesson activities alongside books that focus on a specific learning goal. Tip: Start by completing the lesson "game" before reading the book.

Remember that the real magic unfolds when parents actively engage with their children during their reading learning journey. By dedicating just 15-20 minutes a day to engage in these apps together, you'll not only enhance your child's reading abilities but also create meaningful bonding moments. As you collaborate in their education, you'll observe their progress, celebrate their victories, and adjust the reading levels accordingly. These apps are great additional learning tools for teaching your child to read. Establish a consistent routine and stick to it together for learning success.