Common Sense Media Review
By Mieke VanderBorght
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple, early reader matching games sparse but solid.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
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Where to Download
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Montessori Early Reading - Phonics & Rhyme games
What's It About?
Begin with the digital phonetic object box in the first game of MONTESSORI EARLY READING - PHONICS & RHYME GAMES; kids see five images (cat, hen, bed, sun, and log), and a little folded tag appears on the screen. Tap it to reveal the name of one of the objects, and then drag the tag to where it belongs. Repeat for all five words. In three additional games, kids match tags to their images, match words that have similar beginning sounds, and match words that rhyme. Kids can tap images or tags to hear their names said out loud. The whole game is available in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
Is It Any Good?
This digital phonetic object box gives kids easy access to a Montessori reading tool but has a few drawbacks. For kids who know letter sounds, these simple words and images that provide context and cues can help kids put it all together; there is definite value in the idea behind this approach. However, there are a couple of issues: For example, the distinction between the first game -- with its fixed set of only five words -- and the nearly identical but more varied second game isn't clear. Also, kids don't have enough time to hear images' names before being interrupted by a persistent tag begging to be unfolded. Because the words are spoken on the tags, kids never really need to read; it would be nice to have a level or feature where the tag narration could be turned off. For kids who need practice with one-syllable words and would benefit from few distractions, this straightforward approach might be just right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about letter sounds and phonetics. If you're following the Montessori approach, work with the movable alphabet before trying the phonetic object box.
Play with words and their sounds. Recite or sing rhymes or alliterative phrases (words that all have the same beginning sound).
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : phonics , reading
- Skills : Self-Direction : academic development
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : July 9, 2015
- Genre : Education
- Topics : Numbers and Letters
- Publisher : Les Trois Elles Interactive
- Version : 1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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