Teaching your child to read is most likely one of the hardest things I have done with my kids. As a Mom, I think it among the most rewarding. Reading opens up a whole world for kids. I remember when I was young, I struggled to learn to read when I was young but used a variety of strategies I worked to learn.
Teaching my now first grader to read, is different. There are apps to use versus physical workbooks. We also have leveled early readers and go to the library often to pick up new books. At the library, it is now through the curbside. I remember going to the library when I was little and I always loved to pick out new books. As a parent, a whole new world opens to your children as they read!
Independent Reading is More Fun with Bluebee Pals
My son enjoys sitting with Sammy the Bear and reading different books. Sometimes “reading” is looking at the photos and trying to figure out what the story might say. We have read a variety of different books including Poky the Little Puppy and reading along. He often hugs Sammy and reads to him. I asked him why he liked reading with Sammy – he said Sammy helps him to learn. He uses Sammy to help him “tap” out his letters using Fundations which help him determine if he has a “just right book”.
Reading Apps for Kids
Reading Egg – this app by Blake eLearning includes a test at the beginning so that you can determine your child’s reading level. Through interactive games you practice sight words, digital story books, learning lessons including rhyming and interactive reading. My son loves working for the Golden Eggs and pairs his iPad with his Bluebee Pal so the two of them can work on reading together!
Epic is a reading app that includes 40K books from 250 platforms. You can choose books that are read aloud or your child can read by themselves. The app includes picture books, different types of books including some of my son’s favorites community helpers like police and learning videos as well! I love that my son can choose his favorites – and practice reading at the same time. We also practice looking at pictures and trying to “decode words”.
FarFaria is one of the best reading apps for struggling readers because it is such a fun app! It has several “worlds” to explore, each one containing a certain genre of books that would be captivating for kids to read or be read to.There are thousands of stories and songs, with more added weekly. And they are the most popular books available. Also, there is a badge system so your child will be motivated by his/her achievements. Plus parents and teachers can monitor their students’ achievements by seeing which badges have been achieved.