 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
My Reading Tutor
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $19.99
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Strong educational content; decent entertainment value.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that My Reading Tutor is a piece of educational software on the Nintendo DS, which uses read-along stories and games to help kids learn the basics of early reading, including letter sounds, sight words, and phonics. There is a special section for parents that allows you to keep track of your child's progress.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn the basics of early reading, including letter sounds, sight words, and phonics. Users find a mix of stories that they can read to themselves or aloud, as well as easy-to-use games. Most games ask kids to identify words in a variety of methods using simple controls. Since the game is intended for beginning readers, all instructions are spoken aloud. My Reading Tutor offers a moderately fun game with good audio supports for kids just learning to read.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingletter or word recognition, phonics, reading
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communicationlistening
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Directionacademic development, work to achieve goals
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
My Reading Tutor uses tested educational methods to teach basic reading skills to kids through read-along stories and word-based mini-games. A genial teacher character leads kids through the lessons/games, with all instructions spoken aloud. Stories can be read silently, read with the tutor speaking the text aloud, or read by the child, who can record his own voice reading the tale and then hear it played back. The games are varied and include ones where kids must tap words with the correct sounds, identify sight words, and so on. Parents can keep track of their child's progress in a special parents' section.
Is it any good?
My Reading Tutor offers some obviously very solid educational content. New readers should definitely get a boost in their skills from playing through the games and stories within. The stories themselves aren't much to speak of -- they're intended more as tools than genuine entertainment -- but they're cute. The games are well-designed, although some move at a slow pace that could frustrate more advanced readers. But for preschoolers and kindergartners who are just beginning to sound out words, the pace seems about right. And there's certainly a lot of variety, which can go a long way toward keeping kids entertained while they learn.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about learning through video games. Ask kids if they're more or less likely to retain what they learn if that information is gained through playing a video game.
Does the fun factor of a game make you pay more attention to the educational content? Or does it distract you from the lessons at hand?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn the basics of early reading, including letter sounds, sight words, and phonics. Users find a mix of stories that they can read to themselves or aloud, as well as easy-to-use games. Most games ask kids to identify words in a variety of methods using simple controls. Since the game is intended for beginning readers, all instructions are spoken aloud. My Reading Tutor offers a moderately fun game with good audio supports for kids just learning to read.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, phonics, reading
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication: listening
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction: academic development, work to achieve goals
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
Audio features help reinforce literacy concepts. For example, a genial teacher leads kids through the reading games, and all instructions are spoken aloud. Kids can read stories silently, out loud, or with the tutor speaking the text. What's more, kids can record their own readings and hear them played back. Gameplay varies nicely. In one, players match words to images. Another one asks them to tap on words with specific letter sounds.
How parents can help
- Review the data section that tracks kids' progress and provide feedback accordingly.
- Read signs and labels on everyday items to kids, emphasizing the letter sounds that they're learning.
- Capitalize on game features. Record yourself reading your kids' favorite books.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Perfect for 2+
Well I love it maybe one or two characters need to cleanup some of their roles that they play. It is good and educational for kids.
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AGE
Wonderful Pre-School DS game to help with reading.
I bought this for my son and he love it - it has different games where it reads the book to them, has them record their voice and read a sentence, and guessing games with prizes (my son's favorite part)
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Educational |
| Developer: | Mentor Interactive |
| Release date: | October 13, 2010 |
| Price: | $19.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for no descriptors |
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