Since 1987, Hooked on Phonics has created learning tools to improve reading skills. Now the Hooked on Phonics collection includes a variety of tools for children from infancy to 8 years of age. The company offers software and programs as well as e-readers geared to improve childhood literacy. If your child also struggles with mathematics and spelling, Hooked on Phonics also sells educational tools to assist your children in studying these subjects.
The Hooked on Phonics approach focuses on combining the study of phonics to improve word pronunciation, reading speed and reading comprehension. The wide range of learning tools feature interesting activities and stories so that children will enjoy their studies.
Starfall.com, which opened in 2002, provides a number of products for beginning-level readers. According to the website, Starfall promotes a "systematic phonics approach" and "phonemic awareness practice" that helps readers from preschool to second grade. Special education and English-as-a-second-language ESL) students also benefit from Starfall's educational approach.
Starfall.com posts learning tools for free. Your child can learn the alphabet and vowel and consonant sounds through narrated and animated stories posted on the website. If you want to order learning tools for your household, Starfall.com has an online store selling educational products. You can purchase a CD-ROM of Starfall's Internet content so your child can read the stories without accessing the Internet. Starfall also sells phonics books and writing journals.
If your child enjoys the visual and aural aspect of learning, an educational hand-held device may improve his reading skills. LeapFrog, which produces educational tools and games, created the Leapster 2 for children of ages 4 to 8. Children can play more than 40 learning games on the device. You can also connect the device to the Internet and preview new games as well as access bonus games.
According to LeapFrog, the Leapster's learning games will increase your child's phonics, sight reading, art and basic mathematics skills. The Leapster 2 is a recipient of a number of awards, such as iParent Media's Greatest Products Award and the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval.
Your child may struggle with processing an excessive amount of information. If this is the case, you can purchase a tool that allows your child to read and process the words line by line. The See-N-Read tool covers surrounding text so that your child reads one line at a time. According to the store's website, the tool will help reduce word and line-skipping and pattern glare, where words appear to be moving on the page. The store sells tools for smaller-sized materials as well as full-sized reading materials, like children's picture books.