Although we love physical books and will pick them over apps and videos anyday, at Booksie we are constantly searching for the best methods to teach children how to read. This is because some children are visual learners and need a multimedia approach to learning. We have therefore curated a few apps and online learning programmes that supplement our teaching. Below are a few of our favourites.
Akoo books
AkooBooks is Africa’s first audiobook app. Their growing library of content features audiobooks for adults and children, podcasts, some radio shows and awesome content that makes a story lover’s heart sing.. Those who grew up in Ghana may know Efua Sutherland’s Tahinta. Yup, they have it. Click here to check it out and thank us later!
Akili and me
Akili and me is an edutainment series from Ubongo Media, creator of Ubango kids. Akili is a character that goes on magical adventures in Lala land. Children get to learn letters, numbers, English and drawing. Akili and me can be found on youtube and is available on some tv stations in Tanzania. Click here to check it out.
Super Sema
Super Sema is an animated series about a young girl living in an African village with her grandfather who becomes a local superhero thanks to her ingenuity and STEM skills. Its goal is to educate and inspire children in Africa and beyond to enjoy Science,Technology Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) subjects by infusing learning with fun, hands-on experiments that can be done at home. Super Sema is available on youtube. Click here to check it out.
Afrocomix
Afrocomix is an app that has awesome African comics that your children will enjoy. Our favourite is Karmzah, the world’s first superheroine living with Cerebral Palsy. Very cool! Check it out here.
Non-African programmes
Circle Time with Miss Monica
Miss Monica is an early childhood educator and child behaviour specialist and the host of Circle Time with Ms Monica. Her youtube channel has fun educational content that teaches children letters, numbers, days of the week, the weather and colours. Her approach is very engaging and encourages students to participate in the learning process. Check it out here.
Alphablocks
Alphablocks is an animated children's educational television programme that is designed to teach children how to spell with the use of animated blocks representing each letter. Children learn letter sounds as they watch animated alphabet blocks spell words using sounds. There are also a lot of fun and easy to remember songs about alphabet sounds that children will enjoy. Alphablocks can be found on youtube and is available in app stores.
Jolly Phonics
Jolly phonics teaches children to read and write using synthetic phonics. This method of learning is widely recognised as the most effective way to teach children to read and write in English. Jolly phonics teaches letter sounds, letter formation, blending and identifying tricky words. Jolly phonics has an app that has sounds, games, tests and teaching resources that can be helpful in teaching phonics.
Starfall ABC
Starfall is an app that will give students a solid understanding of the letters and their sounds. Starfall emphasises phonemic awareness, systematic sequential phonics and common sight words. It is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children and is especially effective for special education, homeschooling and English language development.
In choosing an educational app or video resource you should consider your child’s reading level and the current reading goals you have for him or her. We highly recommend that parents supervise children when they are using the internet and that there should be a time limit on watching educational videos.