While this is a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own #MoreVA #VZWBuzz
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I have NO idea how parents entertained their kids before the creation of smartphones. I’m not just talking about mindless games that do nothing for their little brains, but the educational apps that keep their attention, keep them learning, and keep them happy. Both of my kids are very tactile learners, so interactive apps really appeal to them. Since my son is headed off to kindergarten (sob!) in the fall, we’ve moved past basic letter and sound recognition games and now we are on to early reading games. Here are some of our favorite early reader games that the kids have been playing on my Android Turbo!
Endless Reader– Around here, Endless Alphabet is a favorite app, so we were excited to move onto Endless Reader. In this app, kids are introduced to “sight words.” These are the most commonly found words in early reading, and learning these words are key to reading success. In this app, the words are shown in context and the kids have a blast with all of the silly sounds as they see the words, hear the words, and manipulate the words in puzzles.
Kids Learn to Read– I really like apps that have a variety of games within the app so my kids are challenged, not easily bored, and willing to come back to the app again and again. Kids Learn to Read does all of this with letter sounds, making their own words, and matching games. Tommy Turtle is the star of this fun app that focuses on hearing and seeing how letter sounds blend together to make early reading words.
Super Why Phonics Fair- Based on the hit PBS show Super Why, kids go on a adventure with the Super Why gang as they focus on phonics through interactive games. My kids really love the stickers they earn during each level and I love that the advanced levels for more challenging games.
I Story Books– There is nothing I love more than snuggling up next to my kids and reading books. With I Story Books you can read to your child or they can listen to a narrator read a number of fairy tales and classic stories full of colorful illustrations. There are different versions of this app so you can find the types of books that appeal to your kids the most. New books are added every two weeks, and both of my kids are really loving the classics and the science themed books.
Sight Words Kindergarten– This app is great for early readers and readers struggling to learn and recall sight words. Through six interactive games, kids are shown small groupings of words so through repetition and memory. As they start mastering the words, the word groupings get larger to become more challenging.
Playing games on your smart phone and tablet isn’t just for kids! Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about Smartphone and Tablet Games!
When: Friday, March 13, 2015
3:00-4:00 pm ET
12:00-1:00 pm PT
‘Smartphone and Tablet Games’
Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about
Smartphone and Tablet Games!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a MOGA Pro Power Controller or a Droid Turbo smartphone!
Join @TheOnlineMom on the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a prize!
To RSVP:
- Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com(subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
- Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/ImCn5
- Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, March 13 between 3 – 4 pm ET
- Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!
A NOTE to my nTelos Readers:
If you are using nTelos as your wireless provider, Verizon has a special offer going on right now just for you! Switch to Verizon Wireless and get a $150.00 credit plus free activation per smartphone when you bring your number to Verizon. How awesome is that? We have been Verizon Customers for years, and compared to other companies, Verizon is faster and more reliable. Always! Check out this Verizon Wireless Deal today.
We’re an apple family, but we love reading apps, too. I have a few Disney books that assist young readers!
My daughter LOVES that Super Why app! Reading is so important when kids are young.
These are great apps. Using an app to encourage reading makes it more of a game than actual work. That always works better with kids.
These look like great apps. It’s so important to instill a love of reading in our kids while they’re young, so they always love it down the line.
Endless Reader is one of my favorite apps to use with my nephew. He learns so much and enjoys it a lot.
All of those apps sound great. I think that Endless Reader would be really popular in our home.
I love that there are so many learning apps out now. I would have used these with my kids!
My son loves Super Why! I haven’t seen the app but definitely will be getting these!
Wow I didn’t know there were so many great reading apps available. I love programs like these.
Thanks so much for sharing these apps! My nephew has been very into listening to stories and “reading” books lately.
LOVE these apps! We are app junkies and always looking for new ones. Thanks for the great reviews.
Those sound like great apps. We used the website ABC Mouse with my kids. There weren’t as many wonderful learning options as there are now.
These sound awesome! I’m always on the look out for apps that actually help, and teach rather than just for gaming! I will check these out!
My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE Super Why! This is a great collection of kids apps
OOH, I love educational apps! They help in our homeschooling so much!
Couple of new ones for me. Will check them out.
I will have to share this post with my friend. She has two little ones that are learning to read. I love how fun these apps look.
Awwwww what a cutie. We didn’t use apps when teaching kiddo to read. We found with her ADHD it just wasn’t helpful. She was too busy wanting to touch buttons, touch screens, and try to play with other apps instead of focusing on her reading. We tried again over the years as she got older (shes 10 now) and we still can’t get her to zero in an actually focus on the task of reading. So, she doesn’t have her own phone, tablet, or computer. It is rare she gets to use them and when she does, its for a short time and she is monitored.
I agree t’s nice to snuggle with the kids to read. And that nTelos info. at the end of the post is great, $150 credit is nice!
There are so many learning apps out now. I have used these with my kids!
Those are some great apps and the characters are adorable!
Our kids loved the Endless Reader app. I’ll have to check out these other apps for my nieces. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t have children, but I used to Teach Special Education so learning apps definitely hold a special place for me as they are always very motivating for the students!
There are so many great educational apps out there now. I love that these apps work for Android phones.
I really love these app choices! My kids need to love to read so these are beneficial for me and them!
How adorable, so many great apps out there for the kids. My kids are older so they never had apps.