Reading Programs for Kids: Fun Programs that Teach Reading
The Internet can provide you with a wealth of resources to share with your new reader. Whether you're homeschooling, starting your child off early or supplementing what your son or daughter is learning in school, these interactive Web resources can help make learning to read fun.
Reading is Fundamental's Leading to Reading
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) offers educational resources, which can help you to introduce reading to your toddler or preschooler. You and your kids can find stories, games, songs and activities at RIF's Leading to Reading website.
You can pass on a love of reading while exploring the various online options together. Follow the highlighted words as stories are expressively read with different voices, sound effects and music. Sing, read and act along to your favorite songs, like I'm a Little Teapot. Meet author and illustrator, Eric Carle, and watch and listen as he reads Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Play the game, For the Baby Birds, to see what happens once you feed the chicks all the letters in the alphabet.
The First 55 Words at LearnToReadFree.com
Designed and classroom-tested by Montessori teachers, The First 55 Words is a fun learn-to-read game available at no cost. You'll appreciate the lack of non-functioning distractions which have become a staple in Web games. Your child will enjoy the colorful animations and self-paced activities, like clicking on memory cards to make pairs.
Your beginning reader can build independence by learning at his or her own pace with minimal help from you. Words are reviewed until they're mastered, and familiar words are mingled with new words to increase confidence. Once you complete the free registration process, you can review your child's progress reports at the end of each 'reading adventure' privately, without your child feeling like they're being graded. Reading is the reward, not a high score.
Read Online Children's Books at StoryTimeForMe.com
Try to set aside 10-30 minutes a day for reading with your child. Animated children's books, like the ones available from Story Time For Me, can add variety and active learning, since each word is highlighted as the narrator reads. Your new reader can even choose to 'flip' the pages himself or herself.
The books explore themes, including friendship and seasons, graduating to concepts like emotions and courage. Flame the dragon and Fern the fox stories are appropriate for 1-4 year olds. Children aged 4-8 will enjoy meeting Ben the mouse and his friends. There are even free stories to download that can be personalized with your child's own name and pictures.
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