S3Corp. Tech Blog

In the digital age, children are becoming more attached to tablets, smartphones, and other technological devices. While these gadgets offer various benefits, they also come with challenges. One notable issue is the decline in reading levels among young children. Instead of engaging with books, many children are choosing video games and streaming platforms like Netflix for entertainment.

If you are concerned about your child’s literacy development, rest assured that there are several educational games and apps designed to foster a love for reading. These resources cater to different grade levels and learning styles, ensuring that every child can find a reading tool that fits their needs.

Text-based Role-playing Games

Text-based role-playing games have been around for decades. I have a personal fondness for text-based MMORPGs, especially MUD (multi-user dungeon) games. These games have their roots in the early days of the internet, offering adventure and storytelling through text. Players must type commands to interact with the world and explore its features. Although these games have largely been overshadowed by graphical games, they still serve as powerful tools for engaging children with reading. MUD games are essentially digital choose-your-own-adventure novels, which can captivate a young reader’s imagination.

One of the best examples of a modern MUD game is Achaea. This game is ideal for children who enjoy a combination of text-based interaction and a graphical interface, making it more appealing than older MUD games. With a user-friendly interface and immersive features, Achaea remains a relevant option for kids who want an engaging reading experience. The game continues to be updated, offering an ever-expanding world of adventure and story.

Another excellent example is Discworld MUD. While it may not have the visual appeal of Achaea, it more than makes up for it with a rich lore. Based on the Discworld series by the legendary British author Terry Pratchett, this game offers a deep and intricate fantasy world for children who enjoy lore-heavy stories. Signing up for Discworld MUD introduces young players to a world brimming with humor, mystery, and detailed narratives.

Template Word Games

Template word games, like Mad Libs, have been a staple in children’s entertainment since 1958. These games are simple yet effective at helping children expand their vocabulary and learn different parts of speech. In Mad Libs, players are asked to fill in blanks with specific types of words, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The results are often hilarious, making the game an enjoyable way to learn. The game has been adapted into numerous versions, including mobile apps, which offer a virtually endless variety of word combinations. Each session of Mad Libs is a unique experience, ensuring that children remain engaged and entertained while learning.

By engaging with Mad Libs, children are introduced to new vocabulary, different sentence structures, and creative thinking. They also learn how words fit together in sentences, making it an ideal exercise for building grammar skills. This simple yet fun activity can be played repeatedly, providing hours of educational entertainment.

Word Game Applications

Word games like Scrabble have stood the test of time, and their mobile versions bring a new layer of accessibility to the game. Scrabble is more than just a game about spelling; it requires strategy, critical thinking, and knowledge of word combinations. On mobile platforms, Scrabble allows players to challenge friends or play solo against the app, making it a versatile and engaging game for children.

The global popularity of Scrabble speaks to its educational value. It’s played in 121 countries and is available in 29 languages. The game encourages players to dive into dictionaries, expanding their vocabulary and improving their spelling skills. Whether played in person with family members or digitally with friends, Scrabble offers a perfect blend of entertainment and education.

On mobile devices, Scrabble encourages children to practice spelling and improve their cognitive abilities. They must think critically about how to place tiles on the board for maximum points, which adds a layer of strategy and learning to the game. The mobile app has a clean, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for children to engage with and develop their word skills.

PBS Show Applications

Popular educational shows like Super Why! have been adapted into mobile apps and websites that provide children with a wealth of interactive reading games. These games are designed to teach children reading skills, including letter recognition, phonics, and vocabulary. The familiarity of the characters from the show makes the games especially appealing to children, as they are already familiar with the format.

Super Why! is an excellent example of how television shows can be used as a tool for learning. The game features multiple activities that focus on different aspects of literacy, such as story-building and word identification. Through these activities, children can improve their reading skills while having fun with their favorite characters. Similarly, other PBS shows like Cyberchase and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood also offer educational games that cover a variety of subjects, making them valuable resources for parents and teachers alike.

For parents looking to enrich their children’s reading experience, the Super Why! app provides a great opportunity. Available on both Android and iOS, this app brings the educational games from the show directly to children’s mobile devices, ensuring that learning can take place anywhere.

Typing Games

Typing games have become increasingly important as technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives. As children spend more time on computers and mobile devices, learning to type proficiently is an essential skill. Games like ZType by Dominic Szablewski are not only fun but also help children improve their typing speed and accuracy. ZType is a fast-paced game where players must type words that appear on the screen before they reach the bottom. The game is simple yet engaging, making it an excellent tool for children who need to improve their typing skills.

In addition to typing proficiency, ZType helps children develop orthographic spelling. This type of spelling relies on visual memory, as opposed to phonetic spelling, helping children recognize and remember words. The game also features an appealing interface and music, making it an enjoyable experience for young learners. By integrating typing practice with word recognition, games like ZType offer an effective and entertaining way to build literacy skills.

Interactive eBooks

Interactive eBooks combine the benefits of traditional reading with the interactivity of technology. These digital books often feature animations, sounds, and interactive elements that make the reading experience more engaging. One of the most popular interactive eBooks is Alice, based on Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This eBook uses the phone or tablet’s graphical and gyroscope functions to create an immersive reading experience. Children can tap, swipe, and tilt their devices to interact with the story, making the experience feel more like a game than a book.

Interactive eBooks are an excellent way to capture the attention of young readers who may find traditional books intimidating. The combination of visuals and interactive elements makes reading more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Alice is a great example of how technology can enhance the reading experience, especially for children who are not yet ready to tackle the full complexity of classic literature. For parents and educators looking to explore more interactive eBooks, there are many other titles available online, offering a wide range of stories and educational content.

Bouncing Ball Videos

Bouncing ball videos are a well-known method for teaching children to sing along with songs, but they can also be used to improve reading skills. This technique involves a visual representation of the words as they are spoken or sung, with a ball that bounces over each word in sync with the audio. This method helps children associate spoken words with their written counterparts, making it easier for them to understand pronunciation and improve their reading fluency.

While there are few online resources that specifically use the bouncing ball method for reading, it can be easily adapted at home. Parents can read aloud to their children while pointing to each word on the page, mimicking the bouncing ball technique. By adjusting the speed of the video or reading session, parents can control the pace at which the child follows along, ensuring that the reading experience is both effective and enjoyable.

The Reading Rainbow Skybrary Series

Although not focused on games, the Reading Rainbow Skybrary series is another excellent resource for fostering a love of reading. Based on the beloved children’s show Reading Rainbow, this app offers a collection of books, videos, and voice-over content for children. It’s available through a free trial and provides access to hundreds of educational materials that children can enjoy. The app is designed to be interactive, allowing children to explore stories and videos that are both entertaining and educational.

The Reading Rainbow Skybrary series includes a wealth of content that can help children develop their reading skills, from picture books to early chapter books. It also provides a virtual library, allowing children to access books they might not have available at home. For those looking for additional educational content, the Reading Rainbow Skybrary School service offers teachers and students access to a variety of digital resources, including curriculum features and interactive content.

In addition to the Skybrary app, the Reading Rainbow show is available on platforms like Netflix, offering an additional way for children to enjoy educational content. By combining videos, books, and games, Reading Rainbow helps children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and a love for reading.

Story-Creation Games

Story-creation games provide children with an opportunity to craft their own narratives, encouraging creativity while simultaneously improving their writing and reading skills. These games often combine storytelling with gamified elements, ensuring that children remain engaged throughout the process. A popular example of this genre is Story Cubes, a game that can be played in both physical and digital formats.

Story Cubes uses dice with images instead of numbers. Players roll the dice and create a story based on the symbols that appear. The symbols can represent anything from a tree to a star, leaving plenty of room for interpretation. This imaginative game helps children practice structuring sentences, expanding their vocabulary, and developing a logical flow in storytelling.

In digital versions, such as Toontastic 3D, children can design characters, animate scenes, and narrate their stories. This app allows children to craft full-fledged animated stories, integrating voice-overs and sound effects. Through this interactive experience, children enhance their storytelling abilities while gaining confidence in their writing and speaking skills.

By providing a framework that balances structure with creativity, story-creation games allow children to explore their imaginations while reinforcing essential language skills. Parents and educators can use these tools to inspire a lifelong love for both storytelling and reading.

These games and apps provide children with a variety of ways to engage with reading, from interactive stories to educational word games. Whether through role-playing games, typing exercises, or interactive eBooks, each tool offers something unique that can captivate young minds and encourage them to develop a deeper love for books. By integrating these games into their daily routine, children can improve their literacy skills while having fun at the same time.