Let’s be honest. In my house there’s been a little more screen time this summer than I’d like to admit. But, I make a point to read to my daughter every day. I also don’t feel guilty about allowing tablet time when it involves apps that expand on all of the language and literacy skills gained from books. Kids today are surrounded by technology and many are expected to be able to navigate learning apps on iPads or laptops in the classroom.

Check out these must-have apps for early readers and descriptions from their developers!

1. ABC Mouse

ABCmouse is a learning program that covers reading, math, art, music, and more for kids ages 2 to 8. Created by teachers and education experts, it has 10,000+ exciting Learning Activities for children at all academic levels.The ABCmouse Early Learning Academy is the research-validated program that kids 2–8 love to play with as they learn:
• All academic subjects for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade
• Accelerates children’s development of early literacy and math skills
• Helps ensure kindergarten readiness and 3rd grade readiness
• Covers math, reading, science, social studies, art, and music across all levels
• Thousands of books, videos, puzzles, printable activities, songs, games, and animations


2. Learn with Homer 
Learn with Homer is a digital foundational reading program, created by literacy experts
and advisors to the new Common Core standards, combining decades of experience in education
and in the classroom. The program is both visually engaging for a child and highly
effective, based on a proven body of research on how children best learn to read.

3. Hooked on Phonics 
The Pre-reader section is a preschool learning program that introduces pre-readers to the alphabet and letter sounds – critical skills they’ll need to begin Step 1 of the Learn to Read program.
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read contains 36 progressive lessons featuring leveled learning activities that cover key building blocks of reading: short vowels, simple plurals, simple compound words, beginning and ending consonant digraphs and blends, two-syllable words, and sight words.Each lesson concludes with a story specially written with the words just learned. Your child will read this book, proudly, on their own.

4. Endless Alphabet
Learning the ABCs is child’s play with this entertaining and educational app. Adorable artwork, colorful creatures, and smooth voice and sound effects enhance an already engaging hands-on experience that makes spelling each and every word an interactive puzzle.

5. Endless Reader

From the team at ORIGINATOR – the creators of the beloved Sesame Street’s Monster at the End of This Book. As a follow-up to Endless Alphabet, set the stage for early reading success with Endless Reader! This app introduces “sight words”, the most commonly used words in school, library, and children’s books. Kids need to recognize these words by sight in order to achieve reading fluency. 

6. iWrite Words
iWriteWords teaches your child handwriting while playing a fun and entertaining game.

7. Bob Books #1

Kids can watch their favorite Bob Books stories and characters come to life with Bob Books Reading Magic #1!

Start your child reading with this phonics-based interactive game. Even very young children love the simple drag-and-drop interface. Your favorite Bob Books characters and full-color animations encourage kids along the path of learning to read.

8. Reading Raven 

Reading Raven is an extremely engaging learn-to-read educational game that provides step-by-step reading lessons designed to help young children build a solid foundation for reading. Self-paced lessons take kids all the way from pre-reading to reading sentences. 11 types of super fun games/activities that teach critical sub-skills.


9. Duck Duck Moose Reading

Join Milo the Meerkat and his sidekick Puffs at the zoo on a phonics learning adventure! Duck Duck Moose Reading has 9 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.


10. Starfall 
Children love learning with fun games and activities on Starfall! Popular subjects include reading, math, songs, fiction and nonfiction stories, and more! Featured free content is available for pre-k through third grade.

Amy Yacoub, MS, CCC-SLP | Speech Pathologist
Proud Member of The Story Box Family