Word Wizard
This app offers several unique reading and spelling activities. It has a talking Movable Alphabet that allows children to experiment with phonics and word building. It also has 3 spelling activities that increase in difficulty with a list of more than 1,400 questions and answers. Your own words can be added to create unique spelling quizzes. Progress can be monitored with detailed reports. (£ inexpensive)
Special Words
This app encourages children’s communication, language and physical development, as well as their personal, social and emotional development. Encourage speaking and help with clarity; Increase sight word vocabulary; Develop hand-eye co-ordination; Improve fine motor skills; Personalise with your own words, photos and audio. (£ moderate)
Teach your Monster to Read
This app gives opportunities to practice letter sounds and read words and simple sentences using these sounds. Game 1: First Steps – For children just starting to learn letters and sounds. Game 2: Fun With Words – For children who are confident with early letter-sound combinations and are starting to read sentences. Game 3: Champion Reader – For children who are confidently reading short sentences and know all of the basic letter-sound combinations. (£ inexpensive)
Montessori Crosswords
This app is based on the proven Montessori learning method, a fun game to develop spelling, reading and writing skills using a phonics-enabled Movable Alphabet (£ inexpensive)
High Frequency Words
A flashcard style app for practising speed words. It gives the option to learn or practice 200 high frequency words using simple flashcards (via the ‘Learn’ mode) as well as some interactive games (via the ‘Practice’ mode). (£ inexpensive)
Squeebles Spelling Test
This app lets you create spelling tests with your choice of words. You can record the words in your own voice, and choose how long your child gets to study them before attempting to spell them. You can set up different profiles so you can test each child on their own words. You can also download a range of ready-made tests tailored to your child’s age and stage, such as high frequency words and tricky words for confident readers. (£ inexpensive)
Tip: When searching for apps it is often easier to use a web search rather than the app store.
*All details accurate at the time or writing – please note that app prices do change, apps do get removed from the app store and iOS updates can stop apps from working correctly