Reading, Writing, and Software

Can computer programs help your child develop early literacy skills?

Ages

3-5

Reading, Writing, and Software

Of all the early school subjects, few cause more concern for parents, children, and teachers than reading. And no wonder. Decoding (making the connection between the black squiggles on paper and specific letters and their sounds) is a highly complex mental process. And though it's been the subject of intense study, exactly how it happens — and the best way to teach it — is still up for debate.

Sorting Out the Literacy Software
Also up for debate is how valuable the computer can be in helping a young child learn to read. My feeling is that a computer program can't replace a book — but because children do acquire language and literacy skills in many different ways, technology can be a valuable addition to the mix.

There are currently hundreds of pre-reading titles on the market for preschoolers, and some are better than others at tapping into the reading-readiness principles mentioned above. The quality, too, varies widely. On the whole, though, the software falls into one of three categories:

  • Programs for language experiences. Making language fun for children is a win-win proposition. E-books are perfect gateways to the main ideas or characters of a story. Recent e-books incorporate clever games that reinforce skills like letter or word recognition. 
  • Programs for phonics. For around $20, you can pick up a set of well-crafted pre-reading games that provide structured practice in a fun and engaging way. The best of these keep track of your child's progress so that the challenge remains from day to day — and increases as your child does better. 
  • Programs for writing and creativity. Even preschoolers can start word processing with the latest technology. These programs turn your computer into a talking typewriter so that every word your child types is spoken aloud by the computer — thus helping your child make important word-sound associations. Children delight in seeing their words printed in clear, crisp letters or illustrated with the program's drawing options.

As you select from these three categories of reading-readiness software, keep in mind that a CD can never replace you, a devoted teacher, and high-quality books as essential elements of literacy development. But a good software program can add another tool — and lots of fun — to the all-important process of learning to read.

Books | Individual Titles | Hardcover Book
The Day the Crayons Quit
Crayons have feelings too.

Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking-each believes he is the true color of the sun.

What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers' Stuck, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Lost and Found, and This Moose Belongs to Me.

Contributors:

Although Drew Daywalt grew up in a haunted house, he now lives in a Southern California home, haunted by only his wife, two kids, and five-month-old German Shepherd. His favorite crayon is Black.

Oliver Jeffers (www.oliverjeffersworld.com) makes art and tells stories. His books include How to Catch a Star; Lost and Found, which was the recipient of the prestigious Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award in the U.K. and was later adapted into an award-winning animated film; The Way Back Home; The Incredible Book Eating Boy; The Great Paper Caper; The Heart and the Bottle, which was made into a highly acclaimed iPad application narrated by Helena Bonham Carter; Up and Down, the New York Times bestselling Stuck; The Hueys in the New Sweater, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year; and This Moose Belongs to Me, a New York Times bestseller. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oliver now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

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