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​Great Literacy Websites and Apps for Parents and Kids

For parents and caregivers who want to instill the fun of learning to read in their kids, the Internet is home to countless interactive, innovative sites that teach literacy. Though additional great websites are available, here are some of the best, listed in order from beginning to advanced readers.

Websites

  • Scholastic: Clifford the Big Red Dog hosts his own site of fun-filled learning for beginning readers and does it with his signature personality and style. The site features interactive storybooks, games, and bilingual stories.
  • StoryPlace offers preschoolers a virtual library experience. Kids can participate in story time, watch videos, and play games. The bilingual site also provides early literacy information and a guide to children’s books for parents and caregivers.
  • Starfall provides opportunities for young children to have fun while learning their ABCs and reading skills through positive reinforcement in a brightly colored environment full of activities, games, and songs.
  • PBS Kids Between the Lions is a virtual library where lion librarians host fun-filled activities with characters like singing vowels and dancing puppets. Children can entertain themselves or involve a grown-up in the educational video games, stories, and songs.
  • Seussville lets children enjoy reading-based interactive games and activities featuring his classic books and characters. The site includes a character guide, book catalogue, Seuss biography, tips for parents and resources for teachers.
  • Math & Reading Help offers early readers interactive, enjoyable games to improve reading (and math). Parents will find an extensive online library of articles on education, notably on homework and tutoring.
  • Reading Rockets has lots of games and activities for kids’ pleasure and learning. Parents, teachers, and other adults can access instructional videos, a blog, PBS TV programs, and videos to guide them in helping children learn to read.
  • Reading is Fundamental is long known for providing (free) books to families who need them, presents games, interactive stories, songs, and book recommendations for kids up to age 12 and their families, including bilingual activities.
  • Kidsreads offers book reviews, features, contests, excerpts from new releases, a blog, and author profiles and interviews for young readers and their parents. (Check out Teenreads for older youth, too.)
  • Scholastic Kids (ages 8-12) lets kids 8-12 play games, test skills and knowledge about books, work on writing activities, and express opinions. They can connect with other readers on books and authors on this well-moderated site.
  • Scholastic: Writing with Writers allows students of all ages to collaborate with authors, editors, and illustrators in exclusive workshops designed to guide them in many forms of writing to develop their skills.
  • Teenreads provides book reviews, features, contests, excerpts from new releases, a blog, and author profiles and interviews for older youth and their parents. (Check out Kidsreads for younger children, too.)

Apps

Apps to Promote Literacy

Families today are fortunate to have numerous resources to aid them in helping their children develop strong literacy skills. In addition to traditional books and workbooks, as well as instructional websites, thousands of apps are now available to help students with reading and writing skills. While most are (free) or cost a few dollars, a few are quite expensive. For more information or independent reviews, we suggest consulting common sense media. For customer ratings or to order an app, you can go to itunes.apple.com, play.google.com or amazon.com.