20 Apps that Help Kids Learn to Read

Screen shot from the
Starfall ABC's app

I've been sharing a lot of cautionary information about the use of media and technology lately. The last thing I want to do with my blog is to suggest that I think families should live in a bubble, giving up screens and media exposure altogether. For the vast majority of us, that is impractical, impossible, and not very much fun. Although I believe strongly that parents need to manage family screen time, kids absolutely need to be technologically savvy to be competitive in school and in the future job market.

To that end, here is a list of apps for the iPad, smart phones and other gadgets that can help preschoolers and young elementary kids with reading, letter recognition, phonics and foreign languages. These apps were recommended to parents by a private school in Knoxville, Tennessee. I can't personally vouch for these programs, except for Starfall. My kids used the program through a traditional web browser both at home and at school. It's great!

Most of these links go to Apple's iTunes web site for information and download. If you don't have an iPad or iPhone, run an online search for the program or its manufacturer. Some of these apps may come in different formats, like DVDs, CDs, or programs for Droid phones and other gadgets.

Interested in reviews and comments about apps from other parents? See the Common Sense Media web site, where they have reviewed several popular apps, sharing the good and the not-so-good.

1. Phonics Easy Reader 1 by Rock N/ Learn
2. Word Ball Free by Continuous Integration Apps
3. ABC Tracer by App-Zoo
4. Shape-O ABC's by Bellamon
5. ABC Go! by Peapod Labs LLC
6. Alphabytes by WFH Interactive
7. Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flashcards by Piikea St. LLC
8. ABC Food by Peapod Labs LLC
9. Starfall ABC's by Starfall Education
10. ABC Alphabet Phonics by GrasshopperApps.com
11. Futaba by INKids
12. ABC 123 Blocks by Playtend Apps LLP
13. ABC and Me by Muon Van
14. Sight Words List by Innovative Mobile Apps
15. Living Language - Spanish by Random House Digital, Inc.
16. Grammar Express - Parts of Speech by Eknath Kadam
17. Alphabet Tracing by Oncilla Technologies, Inc.
18. iTranslate by SonicoGmbH
19. Comic Life by plasq LLC
20. ABC Alphabet Soup by RoDen Apps

Happy learning!