Home › Academics & Activities › Media Matters
Software for revving up reading
There's a fair amount of software out there for children just starting to read or having trouble doing so. Despite the relative simplicity of the programs and graphics, many options do a good job of allowing kids to explore the sounds and meanings of words at their own pace, and with a straightforward interface. Pictures come alive, games make the exercises fun, and, on the whole, the classroom experience is complemented in a compelling way. We've highlighted a few of the more successful options out there.
By Chris Colin
Starfall
Starfall
Online, free
Not all reading software must be installed on your computer — more and more websites are popping up, letting kids do their reading online. Starfall.com offers four separate programs, each with their own activities to facilitate reading in kindergarten-age children. In "Ten Little Snowmen," kids follow written instructions for building an animated snowman. In "Four Leaf Clover," they click on animals when prompted.
The bottom line: Starfall's fun, free games can help teach reading.
