Our librarians have curated a list of early literacy apps that we think you’ll enjoy. Check out this list of free to low-cost apps that are a smart way to spend screen time.
1. Endless Alphabet by Originator
Set the stage for reading success with this delightfully interactive educational app. Kids will have a blast learning their ABC’s and building vocabulary with the adorable Endless monsters. Each word features an interactive puzzle game with talking letters and a short animation illustrating the definition. Before you know it, your child will be using words like “gargantuan” and “cooperate.” For all ages (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Windows).
2. Small Wonders by Harvard Graduate School
This app is specially designed for you and your child to use together—have fun talking and laughing about everyday objects and interactions as you play. Its games, songs and activity ideas can be the start of many back-and-forth conversations, which are ideal for preparing children to read. The app also has tips to help you build your child’s language skills when you’re not using it—during everyday activities like going shopping, running errands or walking to the playground. Ages 0-5 (App Store and Google Play).
3. Duck Duck Moose by Duck Duck Moose LLC
Join Milo the Meerkat and his sidekick Puffs at the zoo on a phonics learning adventure. Duck Duck Moose Reading has nine different word and letter activities that help kids learn by feeding and playing with flamingos, monkeys, lions and more. Collect animals and make your own zoo scene as you learn more letter sounds. Ages 3-7 (Amazon, iTunes, Google Play).
4. Blending Board by Chain Reaction Games LLC
A powerful educational tool for teachers and parents working with dyslexic learners or anyone else still learning the foundations of blending sounds (phonics) and the multisyllabic rules of English. Create a deck of phonemes that can be substituted and manipulated to create various kinds of blending activities. The decks enable users to practice decoding simple and multisyllabic words, too. Ages 4+ (iTunes, Google Play).
5. Read Ask Chat by Read, Ask, Chat, Ltd
A series of free one-minute videos (in English and Spanish) introduces families to four themes: Reading and Talking about Stories; Imagination and Storytelling; Curiosity and Science Learning; and Open-ended Conversation. Created by educators to help families cultivate young children's readiness for reading and school success. It was developed through multiple grants from the United States National Science Foundation and features three play modes: Babies, Toddlers and Prereaders. Ages 4+ (iTunes, Google Play).
6. Learn to Read by Duolingo ABC
Duolingo ABC’s approach to teaching kids how to read is built on serious science. Playful lessons feel more like a game than a textbook, and that’s by design—learning to read is easier when you’re having fun. Using the five components of early literacy (phonics, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, fluency and vocabulary), the app offers over 700 hands-on lessons to get your littles on the path to literacy. Ages pre-k to 2nd grade (iTunes, Google Play).
7. Teach Your Monster to Read by the Usborne Foundation
Designed in collaboration with leading academics, this app compliments all synthetic phonics programs already in use in many schools covering everything from letters and sounds to reading full sentences. Free to use on a computer browser. Ages 4+ (desktop, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon).
8. Endless Reader by Originator
This app introduces “sight words,” the most commonly used words in school, library and other children’s books. Six words are available for free with additional unlocked with an app purchase. Ages 4+ (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Windows).
9. Bob Books Reading Magic #1 and #2 by Bob Books Publications, LLC
Bob Books were created to lead children to the "aha" moment when letters first turn into words. By slowly introducing new letter sounds, using consistency, repetition and stories that fit short attention spans, your child will quickly find their own "aha" moment. The game includes 12 scenes for a total of 32 words. Four game levels provide increasing learn-to-read challenges to children as they play. Ages 4+ (iTunes, Amazon).
10. Montessori Words and Phonics by L’Escapadou
Montessori Words helps kids learn and understand two fundamental concepts. First, the app helps kids understand that words are made up of sounds or phonemes (phonemic awareness). Secondly, the app helps kids memorize the phonics associated with letters by providing a phonics-enabled alphabet where kids can touch each letter and hear the associated phonic. Ages 4+ (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon).
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