Having a child with a learning difference can be really expensive. With this in mind, I have brought together some of the best free online resources to help teach a child to read.
It’s very encouraging to find so many helpful free solutions!
Free solutions are great to supplement and reinforce classroom learning.
If you are a parent supporting a child who continues to struggle with learning to read, it would be good to consider a more structured intervention solution. I don’t sell solutions, so I have no vested interest in advising them.
I HAVE NO VESTED INTEREST as
I DO NOT SELL SOLUTIONS OR EARN ANY COMMISSION
Once children can read, there are useful resources to help with reading comprehension. To learn more click on Free Resources to Teach Reading Comprehension.
The best solutions for any child depends on their individual needs and preferences. As there are plenty listed here, I’m sure you will find resources that your child(ren) will enjoy and benefit from.
Click the image for more information
Click on the image for more information
Alphablocks
Alphablocks is a BBC TV Show that teaches phonics. It is on BBC iPlayer but I couldn’t find the first series on the iPlayer. There might be a licensing issue for anyone outside the UK, so I’ve included a link to their YouTube Channel.
You can purchase accompanying books, but the videos are FREE.
Here is an example video
Click on the image for more information
They also do interactive episodes and Numberblocks.
Oxford Owl for Home
Click on the image above for more information
Oxford Owl is packed with expert advice, tips and activities to help parents support primary aged children.
Their eBook library offers an extensive range of books.
They have lots of free resources for primary aged children.
Heggerty Phonemic awareness
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness is an organized 35-week curriculum of daily phonemic awareness lesson plans.
Unlike other solutions listed here, I believe that this is only being made available for free during the global pandemic.
Click on the image to access worksheets and lessons
Developed on a systematic scope and sequence of skills, each level focuses on eight phonemic awareness skills, along with two additional activities to develop Letter and Sound recognition and Language Awareness.
Click on the image above to watch videos
They have a number of videos on YouTube to teach parents how to use the solution.
ABC Ya
Click on the image above for more info
ABC Ya’s mission is to inspire learners everywhere by creating entertaining and educational computer games for children.
There are lots of fun games to choose from.
Teach Your Monster to Read
The computer version of this product is free.
Click on the image for more information
It's been provided by a charity, the Usborne Foundation, as a way of helping children learn to read.
The Teach Your Monster to Read app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play Store.
The iPhone, iPad and Android version of the game is a paid-for app which helps fund the project.
The web-based version for computers is free and contains all three Teach Your Monster to Read games: First Steps, Fun with Words and Champion Reader. Income from the app goes back into the Usborne Foundation to create more free online games and content.
Education.com
Click on the image for more information
This site has a number of useful games, including those that help improve phonological awareness.
StarFall
StarFall provides free resources to use in the classroom and home. Games, worksheets and much more.
https://www.starfall.com/h/index-grades123.php
StarFall has a YouTube channel that can be found here.
Into the Book
Click on the image for more information
Into the Book is designed to help improve students' reading comprehension, as well as their ability to think and learn across the curriculum.