 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Starfall
Common Sense Media says
Outstanding learn-to-read site sure to engage little ones.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this free learn-to-read site is arranged in four different main sections to play, based on where your child is on the journey from reading readiness to independent reader. There is no advertising on this site, although supplemental educational materials may be purchased at the online store. And there's also a new "premium" paid version of the site called more.starfall.com.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn pre-reading skills that help them build toward reading short online books. Skill acquisition is appropriately gradual; kids begin simply by sounding out different combinations of letters. Research from the National Institute of Child Health seems to underlie Starfall's exercises, according to the site. Game graphics aren't very gripping, but a cornucopia of reading exercises will satisfy curious kids.
Subjects
- Arts
- Vehicles
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingletter or word recognition, reading comprehension, vocabulary
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Directionacademic development
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information, solving puzzles
What's it about?
Kids progress through activities in four sections. They start with letter recognition activities in "Starfall ABCs." Next, kids play games, hear and read stories, and watch animated videos to apply letter sounds to words in the "Learn to Read" section. In the "It’s Fun to Read" section, kids choose short reading selections to learn vocabulary. In the final section, "I’m Reading," kids choose to read from a collection of short online books to develop fluency and comprehension.
Is it any good?
The phonics-based website STARFALL offers an outstanding free learn-to-read method based on numerous studies and educational research. Practice letter sounds, word recognition, and reading comprehension through online books, songs, rhymes and other games. When kids read a storybook online, the site reads it back to them as if it was sounding it out like new readers do. The site also offers numerous resources for parents and teachers and a paid version geared toward use at home or school.
What families can talk about
This site is geared toward little kids just learning to use the computer. Learn how to set computer time limits now.
There are numerous ways to encourage children of all ages to become and continue to be readers. Check out Common Sense Media's expert article on How to Get Your Kids Reading.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn pre-reading skills that help them build toward reading short online books. Skill acquisition is appropriately gradual; kids begin simply by sounding out different combinations of letters. Research from the National Institute of Child Health seems to underlie Starfall's exercises, according to the site. Game graphics aren't very gripping, but a cornucopia of reading exercises will satisfy curious kids.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Vehicles:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, reading comprehension, vocabulary
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction: academic development
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, solving puzzles
How kids will learn
The pace of play seems in line with a kid's natural learning curve. Kids learn simple letter sounds first and then move on to more complicated combinations. They can also easily move ahead or stay put in an area. All activities have audio support, all words are clickable to help kids who get stuck, and printable pages to extend learning are available with every activity. Many websites that build reading skills focus either on fiction or non-fiction material, but Starfall allows kids to choose either one for practicing.
How parents can help
- Read the Parents section for step-by-step advice about how to use the site.
- Extend learning with activities in the printable Writing Journal. The Journal can be printed from the Download Center on the site.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
good tool to learn letters and phonics
good for teaching mouse skills and has the right balance of incentives and rewards
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AGE
Both my three year old and kindergartner love this website!
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AGE
One of the best sites around
My children (4 & 6) love this site - and so do I. It's fun, interactive and educational. One of the best sites around.
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AGE
We Love It!
I have a daycare and love this site for children ages 2 up to whatever! It has an ABC section that is easy enough for my 2 and 3 year olds to use and enjoy, but also offers much more for the older kids learning how to read!
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AGE
Great for parent and child together, learning to read.
My son is 3 years old, and he really loves this site! He has always been enthralled with letters, so this is a perfect step towards reading for him. Each one of the 'books' has clickable words that sound them out so he can start to get the hang of that. However, it doesn't actually 'read' the pages to him. He much prefers the little movies and lessons along the way.
This is definitely a website that younger children will love, but it is one that the parent needs to do with the child. Plus, there are fun little surprises if you click on the characters in the story pages!
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AGE
This is a wonderful site that my 16 month old loves. It works very well on my slow laptop that I allow her to pound on. We have mostly used the young user information but she watches and tries to poke the screen to move on to the next section. There is some ASL information in the alphabet section and great little songs.
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AGE
Perfect for beginning readers
Our two year old loves this website. My wife is a teacher and when the weather is bad she can sit with him for hours going through the stories over and over again. The lessons are portrayed in a way that, even at his age, he is able to grasp some of the concepts.
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| Genre: | Educational |
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