As well as the visuals and sound, the touchscreen interface<\/strong> of most phones and tablets facilitates multisensory learning. The user can physically trace, drag, or touch the information contained in these educational apps, which alongside other sensory input will help their mind absorb it better.<\/p>\n\n\n Many of the apps listed in this article make use of this essential, and more importantly fun, learning method (and the ones that don\u2019t are designed for different purposes!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our\u00a0Dyslexia Awareness Training<\/a>\u00a0discusses the characteristics of dyslexia and how this affects learning, and gives guidance on how to support children who have or who show signs of dyslexia. It dispels misconceptions, explores the challenges children with dyslexia face and provides techniques and learning activities you can use to support them. You might also be interested in our\u00a0SEND in the Classroom Course<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start with a simple one: this cute, artistic educational app is designed to improve the learner\u2019s formation of letters and words through cursive. <\/strong>Instead of having to tediously write the same words over and over on lined paper as they might do in a classroom setting, learners get to trace a variety letters and words onto various backgrounds, like in the sky or on a cake! It has a bright, colourful interface, designed to make practising writing and learning new letters and words a fun, engaging experience.<\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Cursive writing is particularly beneficial for strengthening dyslexic learners\u2019 handwriting and understanding of letter formation.<\/p>\n In the same way stabilisers help a child find their balance when learning to ride a bike, cursive writing helps a dyslexic child learn to consistently form letters properly.<\/strong> With practise, it improves the speed and accuracy of their spelling, while also preventing the child from reversing letters or writing with erratic spacing between them.<\/p>\n This app is best experienced on a large screen like an iPad or Nexus as the letters can be difficult to trace on a smaller one.<\/p>\n Recommended age: 6-8.<\/strong><\/p>\n Available on Google Play,<\/a> App Store<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Warning:<\/strong> this app contains flashing colours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As a brief background: Montessori education<\/a> focuses on self-directed activity (where learners personally choose activities that resonate with them) and hands-on, sensory learning.<\/strong> It aids the development of phonetics:<\/strong> an aspect of language with which dyslexic learners commonly struggle. Montessori education is a proven method for developing fundamental skills.<\/p>\n The Montessori Words app focuses on learning the phonetics of letters and words through a multisensory experience.<\/strong> It uses a phonics-enabled movable alphabet designed to help kids develop their reading, writing, and spelling skills.<\/p>\n The player can focus on simple words with 3 sounds, words with just one sound, words with consonant blends, or words of any complexity. This variety is excellent for providing the learner with the opportunity to apply their understanding of letters to new words and continue to advance their knowledge.<\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n This gameplay helps the learner memorise the phonics associated with letters,<\/strong> which will firmly embed the way words are structured in their mind.<\/p>\n The app was included in the Top 50 Android Apps for Kids 2013<\/a>, while the iPad\/iPhone version was mentioned in the New York Times, Wired\u2019s GeekDad, and awarded \u2018Editor\u2019s Choice Award for Excellence in Design\u2019<\/em> by Children Technology Review.<\/p>\n Recommended age: 5 and under.<\/strong><\/p>\n Available on Google Play<\/a>, App Store<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n From the same creator of Montessori Crosswords comes this excellent app for helping young learners strengthen their numeracy skills through Montessori learning. <\/strong>The multisensory activities teach the player numbers\u2019 names and quantities and helps them get to grips with addition and subtraction, the decimal system, and place value. Most importantly, it has a simple, colourful style that doesn\u2019t overwhelm the learner\u2019s senses, helps retain their attention, and makes the learning activity stimulating and enjoyable.<\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Learning certain mathematical concepts is challenging for many dyslexics, but this educational app will not only embed said concepts firmly in their minds but also generate an enjoyment for learning.<\/p>\n \u201cMontessori Numbers is among the best educational apps for young children I\u2019ve seen. The pacing is very good and the verbal feedback is very supportive.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Mary Ellin Logue, Ed.D, Early Childhood Education, University of Maine.<\/p>\n Recommended age: 4 and above.<\/strong><\/p>\n Available on the App Store<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another excellent example of L\u2019Escapadou\u2019s work (the maker of Montessori Words and Montessori Numbers) is Writing Wizard. This app is similar to crazy cursive in that it\u2019s designed to hone the player\u2019s ability to form letters and words,<\/strong> but it focuses on print letters rather than cursive, has more customisation, and has the option for parents to track their child\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Practising tracing over letters with this app helps children improve their fine motor skills<\/strong> and eventually become skilled at properly forming letters,<\/strong> all while having fun.<\/p>\n User review:<\/strong> \u201cA great resource for pupils finding it difficult to pick up the correct sequence of moves for correct letter formation. Effective, engaging and fun!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n SmartAppsForKids.com:<\/strong> \u201cThis brand-new app should be the go-to for every parent, teacher and therapist to work on handwriting.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Recommended age: 5 and under.<\/strong><\/p>\n Available on Google Play<\/a>, App Store<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n This is a fun, kid-safe, interactive reading app that fuels curiosity, independence, and reading confidence by letting kids freely explore their interests with instant access to over 40,000 books, audiobooks, learning videos and more. <\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The parent dashboard lets you see what they\u2019re reading and follow along with their progress. 95% of Epic parents say Epic helped improve their child\u2019s reading skills.<\/p>\n User reviews:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many well written stories and age appropriate books up to age 14 that I saw. Even on the app you can search for books by their grade, make a collection for your child (under the parent avatar) and assign those books for them to read. They can favorite books, adding them to their library, etc. Many of the books will offer a quiz at the end, giving your child the opportunity to earn points and badges, and every kid loves being rewarded for their work! [\u2026] It\u2019s very user friendly and will suggest books based upon what your child has already read. I love that I can assign him a collection of books I\u2019ve picked out and can separate them in collections however I like. There are also educational videos as well, we just love it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe, Read to Me, function is great for my kiddo who is dyslexic. It allows them to follow along seeing and hearing the words.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Available on Google Play<\/strong><\/a> and App Store<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of the barriers dyslexics might face during their time of learning is unsuitable fonts that make text difficult to read or \u2018swim\u2019 around the page. There do exist numerous default fonts that are dyslexia-friendly, but there also exist types specifically created for dyslexics. OpenDyslexia changes the default font of an iPhone or iPad\u2019s browser (Safari) to OpenDyslexic<\/a> \u2013 a font that improves text\u2019s legibility for those with dyslexia. Each letter in its alphabet is thicker at the bottom to add weight and gravity, which emphasises letters\u2019 shapes and makes them more distinguishable to a dyslexic reader.<\/strong><\/p>\n If \u2018swimming\u2019 words or letters \u2018running\u2019 off the page is a problem for a dyslexic learner, then this app may prove useful for them when using Safari on their handheld device.<\/p>\n Available on the App Store<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Getting back to educational apps, the Simple Spelling Phonics games are multi-award winning and highly regarded as beneficial for improving young learners\u2019 spelling and reading skills. The apps focus on improving the learner\u2019s understanding of phonemes<\/strong> \u2013 the sounds contained within words. Each app in the series \u2013 Phonics 1, Phonics 2, and Advanced Phonics \u2013 is targeted at differing levels of skill; the words become progressively more complex.<\/p>\n One of the more unique features of these apps as compared to others of a similar nature is the way they place words into context,<\/strong> which not only helps the learner become familiar with the word itself but also the way they fit into sentences.<\/p>\n They also utilise a feature unique to the apps called \u2018reverse phonics\u2019,<\/strong> which breaks words down into individual phonemes to further enhance the player\u2019s understanding of letters\u2019 sounds and words\u2019 structure.<\/p>\n What makes these apps beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n While these apps don\u2019t have as much variety as compared to some others, they make up for what they lack in breadth in their depth. The vastness of their word banks and their unique features make the apps in this series stand out as providing a high quality learning experience.<\/p>\n Its educational methodology has been validated by an academic study,<\/strong> which revealed that children who used it in a classroom setting over an 18 week period showed an average spelling improvement of 1.9 grades.<\/p>\n Available on the App Store<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n Similar to Epic, Me Books is specifically designed for providing a personal reading experience, Me Books is an extremely popular platform for children to read books on. Hundreds of popular books and comics are available to purchase from the in-app store, which have been hand-picked for helping children develop their reading skills and become independent. To name only a few:<\/p>\n Biff, Chip, and Kipper for example is a series highly recommended for dyslexic readers, as are books from the Oxford Reading Tree and Ladybird Classics. This varied selection of classics mixed with contemporary series offers so much choice to children, which will help them become eager readers.<\/p>\n What makes this app beneficial?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n All in-app purchases are safely locked away behind a parental gate.<\/p>\n User reviews:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI am such a big fan of Me Books. The app exactly recreates the paper versions of many popular children\u2019s books. It also contain just the right amount of interactivity. [\u2026] If you have children who love books then this is a must have app.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMe Books has got it all \u2013 the page turning picture books, beautifully read stories, genuinely interactive features, and lots of quiet humour too. It\u2019s by far the best kids book app we\u2019ve found and is always my children\u2019s first choice of activity on the iPad (which for a seven and four year old is saying a lot). I honestly don\u2019t know how they could improve, even their prices are good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Available on Google Play<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"dyslexic_learners_apps\"](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/dyslexic_learners_apps.jpg\")
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<\/div>Need a Training Course?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\n\nApps to Help with Dyslexia: Our Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n
1. Crazy Cursive Letters
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2. Montessori Words & Phonics
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3. Montessori Numbers
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4. Writing Wizard
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5. Epic \u2013 Kids\u2019 Books & Reading
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6. OpenDyslexia
<\/h3>\n7. Simplex Spelling Phonics
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8. Me Books
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