abc PocketPhonics is an educational tool to help children read, write and annunciate through active participation with the application. The new iPhone app allows your child to practice three different techniques, letter sounds, letter writing and reading up to 170 first words. All of this is bundled up in a great looking app which speaking on the reaction of my daughter will please and entertain most children.

The developers state that the app has been designed with teachers from both the US and UK and is based around the concept “Reading First” part of the “No Child Left Behind Act” a federal program in the US aimed at improving reading and writing abilities in children.

The first of the two main areas of the app help the child pronounce & write letters. There are 10 sets of letters to chose with all but one of them containing 6 different letters or letter combinations. With a set a letters chosen the first of the group will be pronounced and your child will be asked to repeat it, then they will get to write the letter(s) by tracing them directly on the screen.

Successfully pronouncing and writing the letters will then move the child onto the 2nd part of the app where they will spell words based on listening to different sets of words be pronounced. Again, if your child gets these right they are rewarded again with a cheering pen and pencil who are seen through out the game.

As mentioned previously the games looks great and it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into creating an app that is easy to use allowing the child to focus on learning rather than anything else. The high production values also go as far as the options that amoungst other things allow you to change the voice between US and UK voices, choose the writing style between lower-case, joined-up & upper-case and control the accuracy level to which your child must write the letters.

All of these options are behind a parent zone to prevent your child from making any changes, however given that the math question you have to answer to access the parent zone has been the same each time I’ve tried doesn’t make it that secure. Perhaps having the ability to set a pin number would be more useful.

What is also missing is the ability to track a child’s progress as there is no scoring or progression marked though the app. Also missing is the ability to have different profiles so that multiple children could use the app. But then again with no progress to track multiple profiles would be limited.

Overall abc PockPhonics is a great learning aid for young children presented in a way that both parents and children will enjoy. Pick it up now while it’s on sale at 99c and you’ve got an even bigger bargain on your hands.

Pros

• High production values
• Well implemented learning
• Good range of options

Cons

• No scoring or progress measurements
• No profiles

Price: $0.99 (iTunes Store)
Category: Education
Updated: May 12, 2010
Reviewed Version: 1.7.2
Size: 10.3 MB
Language: English
Seller: Apps in My Pocket Ltd
© 2009 Apps in My Pocket Ltd
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.