Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Step-by-step phonics program more instructional than fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
PocketPhonics Stories
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
POCKETPHONICS STORIES lets parents set up the account, choosing the handwriting style, letter case, and difficulty levels, and then kids focus on activities related to a set of six letters at a time. They trace the letters, saying the letter sound, and then build words using those letters. Once they've mastered the letters, they move on to reading one of 42 short books focused on the letter sounds mastered, plus a few sight words. The books include a quiz that tests word recognition, which must be mastered before moving on to the next set of letter sounds. If kids answer incorrectly, a few choices are eliminated, and they can try again. They can replay books and letter sounds until they've mastered them.
Is It Any Good?
While pricey, this complete program for teaching kids to read offers a lot of material, customization, and reporting. It's very effective and covers a lot of ground, but it's not a jazzy and fun app, as many preschool apps are, so it may not be an app kids choose to explore on their own. Parents can encourage kids to put in a little time each day working through the program by printing the certificates they earn or by just sitting with them while they work through the activities and books.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different ways to write the letters they're learning in the app. Try drawing them in sand or salt, writing them on a dry-erase board, or writing them in different-colored markers.
Read widely with kids outside of the app, having them read beginner books aloud to you and reading more challenging books aloud to them.
App Details
- Device : iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , phonics , reading
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : logic , memorization , thinking critically , Self-Direction : academic development
- Pricing structure : Paid (First set of letter sounds and story books are available to try in a free version.)
- Release date : March 28, 2015
- Genre : Education
- Topics : Numbers and Letters
- Publisher : Apps in My Pocket Ltd
- Version : 1.1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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