In this article you will discover the top 8 reading apps for kids on iOS. As a teacher, I use the apps on this list every day with my own students & children. Each of the apps below was chosen because it fits well with systematic, synthetic phonics programs like Jolly Phonics, Hooked on Phonics, and the teachings that make up the science of reading.
1. Jolly Phonics Lessons Pro
When it comes to the best reading apps for kids on iOS, there are certainly a lot of options out there. So, how do you decide which apps to spend your money on? As a teacher and a parent myself, I prefer apps that follow a systematic, step-by-step program rather than apps that are colorful and have fun sound affects. That’s why Jolly Phonics Lessons Pro gets the top spot on our list. This app includes: sounds, stories, actions, letter formation, songs, alternatives, tricky words, interactive flashcards, and so much more. To get started, check out this Jolly Phonics Lessons Pro walkthrough made of the iOS app. We recommend this app for teachers, and also for parents who teach Phonics to their children at home. It’s not recommended for kids as it’s too much information for them to understand by themselves.
2. Jolly Phonics Songs
The Jolly Phonics Songs app is one of my favorites. Please ignore the negative reviews. This app has all 43 of the Jolly Phonics Songs organized by group. In the settings, you can choose from print font or pre-cursive font. You can also choose British or American pronunciation. Finally, you can choose to have the app highlight the words as the song plays, just like karaoke. This is a great Phonics app for teachers in the classroom and parents at home. It’s also a great phonics app for kids, so they can practice singing their favorite Jolly Phonics song.
3. Jolly Phonics Adventure
Jolly Phonics Adventure is a kid-friendly app where children can practice all of the skills found in the Jolly Phonics program. It features foundational Phonics skills like letter sounds, phonemic awareness games, and letter formation practice. Some of you might know this app as Jolly Phonics Letters and Sounds. If so, there’s great news! This app just got a complete makeover. It’s colorful, engaging, and you won’t even be able to recognize it. It’s a whole new experience in the world of reading apps for kids.
4. Montessori Crosswords for Kids
While this app comes in at number three on our list of top reading apps for kids, it’s number one in our hearts. This app is truly amazing. As the name implies, it has crosswords for kids. It also includes red and blue letters to distinguish vowels from consonants and it has a Montessori movable alphabet built in. The best part about this app is that it allows for phonological awareness and spelling practice using Elkonin Boxes.
5. Bob Books Bargain Bundle
Bob Books are a wonderful resource for anyone using a systematic, synthetic phonics program. Bob Book apps in this bundle help children make the connection between letters and sounds, sound out simple words, spell the words they’ve read, and read short sentences. The best part of the Bob Books apps is that once the children complete the activities, the pages come to life right before their eyes, making it even more fun for young children.
6. Teach Your Monster to Read
Teach Your Monster to Read is the most fun reading app for kids on this list. It’s an award winning phonics and reading game full of fun mini-games for kids to practice all of the Phonics skills they’ve learned at school. It should be noted that Teach Your Monster to Read is only available in British English. For those who prefer American English, the app is still usable, but you should be prepared to teach your children the difference between the two.
7. Writing Wizard
If you want your children to learn letter formation while studying Phonics then there is no better app that Writing Wizard. This app helps your child practice their handwriting by tracing shapes, letters, and words. The best part is that you can create or import customized lists of words, so children can practice writing the same words that they are currently learning how to read.
8. Cursive Writing Wizard
Cursive Writing Wizard should be every parent’s favorite app. The sister app of Writing Wizard, Cursive Writing Wizard teaches children how to write in cursive (I can hear the American students groaning now). The best part? You can actually select from a list of cursive fonts that are commonly used around the world. If you are like us and care about good handwriting and reviving the lost art of cursive, then this app is for you!
What Reading Apps for Kids Do You Use?
Do you like the list? Do you agree with it? Did I miss an amazing app that you use all the time? Leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
