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Speakaboos (http://www.speakaboos.com/)

common sense media says

Lots to do on storytelling site; best content will cost you.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that a paid subscription is needed to view much of the Speakaboos content. You must enter credit card information to receive the 14-day trial advertised on the site; at the end of the two-week period, your card will be charged. You can also register for a free account, which just requires you to enter your first and last name, email address, and password. However, you can view the free site content without registering.

Educational value: The site can help kids develop literacy skills and learn to use technology.
Positive messages: Stressing storytelling and educational activities, the site can help kids feel that learning is fun.
Violence: The usual fairy and folk tale villains are on hand: Somewhat scary
characters like mean stepmothers and witches with gingerbread homes.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The site offers a monthly subscription; a homepage ad also touts the site's Stories2Go iPhone app. Visitors can get access to limited content without registering or purchasing a membership.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Some privacy issues. To register a free account, users provide first name, last name, and email address. To join with full access, users need to supply their name, email address, and billing information. The site's privacy policy discloses the use of cookies and beacons to track users' online behavior.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Speakaboos

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the importance of reading together. Read our article Reading Rainbow Signs Off for more on keeping reading alive.
  • Is it better to visit a Web site to learn about reading or should you just pick up a book? Can there be a balance between online time and offline reading? What limits should parents set on computer time?
  • Fairy tales can be fun to read -- but many also involve a lesson, such as treating others with respect or being honest. What did the characters in some of the stories you watched and listened to on the site learn? What can you learn from their experience?
  • If you enjoyed the stories on the site, could you write your own? Families can discuss the creative process it takes to write a story -- from thinking of something to write about to finishing and sharing the story.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The SPEAKABOOS site lets kids listen to stories -- ranging from traditional fairy tales to ones about popular characters like Arthur -- read by celebrities like Nick Cannon. Kids can also sing along to well-known tunes like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and play matching and other games. The site also offers worksheets on topics such as arts and crafts activities, coloring pages, and kid-friendly recipes. Because words accompany the narration, the storybook section gives kids a fun way to practice reading skills. Each story also includes suggested reading and grade levels and lists relevant themes like fairness and honesty.

Speakboos certainly offers kids plenty to do -- in addition to stories and songs, its worksheets provide dozens of activity ideas and projects. The only catch: The site's free content is fairly limited. To access most of the activities and stories, you'll have to shell out a monthly fee.
This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

ginagibbs
educator
3
 
Good site for PK thru 1st
I liked the game section and activities very much. I also liked the stories read. The only thing I would improve is the graphics on many of these stories. I did like the Author stories that use the original illustrations. The readers were clear and animated.
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helped me decide (13) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (13)
jmo444
parent of 2 and 5 year old
3
 
if you need 5 to sweep or do the dishes
i love this site! my only issue is it is fairly new so the content is a little sparse right now but hopefuly will expand soon...
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (12) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (9)

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ON: Content is 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
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