Teach Your Monster To ReadDeveloped by the Usborne Foundation, Teach Your Monster To Read (First Steps) is an iPad app aimed at younger pupils embarking on the road to reading. It is presented in a game format which should appeal to younger pupils. They have to initially create a personalised monster which is then brought on a journey around island kingdoms. The King on the island asks the monster to assist him which involves the pupils learning a letter/sound and taking part in games/exercises to consolidate the letter/sound.

The games within the app contain letter and sound practice for 31 graphemes / phonemes; (s,a,t,p,i,n,m,d,g,o,c,k,ck,e,u,r,h,b,f,ff,l,ll,ss,j,qu,v,w,x,y,z,zz) plus basic blending and segmenting practice. Some tricky words are also introduced.

The app tracks which letter/sound exercises have been completed. If a pupil completes all exercises in the app, the app can be deleted and re-installed to commence the game again.

An appealing aspect of this app for teachers and parents is that there are no annoying in-app purchases. At the moment, this app is only available for iPad in the iTunes App Store

Although the iPad version of “First Steps” is a paid-for app, there is also a web-based version for computers which is still free and contains both Teach Your Monster to Read games: First Steps and Fun with Words. This game can be played on the Teach Your Monster to Read website HERE