At phonics.org, we evaluate children’s phonics programs so that you can make informed decisions about the apps that best suit your child’s literacy learning.
Check out our most recent review featuring the Reading Raven app!
What is Reading Raven?
Reading Raven is a user-friendly and affordable literacy app tailored for children ages 3-5. Priced at just $3.99 for 5 lessons (less than one dollar per lesson), it offers a direct way to kickstart early literacy skills.
The app primarily concentrates on fundamental aspects of literacy instruction, such as:
- Rhyming
- Letter recognition and formation
- Sounding out words
- Word building (spelling)
- Reading words, phrases, and simple sentences
With its multiple features, Reading Raven takes a systematic approach to early reading instruction. The app has its own set of pros and cons, which we’ll discuss below.
Usability and Navigation of the App
When considering learning apps for kids, the user experience and navigation are important. How does Reading Raven facilitate the learning process?
User Experience
Reading Raven is reasonably easy to use for both kids and parents, with straightforward navigation throughout the app. Clear instructions are available and can be repeated by clicking on the Raven guide, allowing children to understand concepts at their own pace.
The inclusion of a pause button enables kids to take breaks when needed. Additionally, the app provides clear feedback for correct and incorrect answers, contributing to a supportive learning environment.
Customization Features
The Reading Raven app allows parents to customize the lessons to fit their child’s needs. Sound, age, and activities can be selected in the “options” area. Unfortunately, as of March 2024, a glitch in the app means that many options cannot be visibly seen. Hopefully, a software update will resolve this issue.
Screen Rotation
Another downside to the usability of the app is the option to change the size and format of the screen. This can be a confusing option for children. It’s unclear why a smaller screen would be desired.
Glitches In the App
The Reading Raven app suffers from additional glitches that disrupt gameplay. One such issue occurs when the game fails to send out a keyword for the child to match, necessitating the user to exit and re-enter the game mid-play. This not only interrupts the learning process but also results in the loss of progress, which can be frustrating for both the child and the parent or educator supervising the session.
What is the Quality of Literacy Instruction in the Reading Raven App?
Let’s look at how the Reading Raven app teaches reading, and how effective it is for kids.
Letter Learning
Reading Raven teaches letter names, sounds, and formation somewhat accurately. Some sounds have an extra /uh/ sound added on, which is not ideal. Additionally, some letter formations do not follow the same method teachers and occupational therapists generally use.
Repetition and Practice
The app uses an ‘interleaved practice’ method, meaning that it alternates between various letter-learning skills within its games. It moves from a sound-matching game to a letter formation game and back again.
This approach not only enhances user engagement but also aids in memory retention, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful learning experience for young users.
Learning is Sequential and Systematic
Reading Raven adopts a systematic approach to learning, ensuring a structured and effective educational experience. With detailed lesson outlines provided on both the app and website, users have clear guidance for each session.
The app introduces letters in a logical sequence, gradually building upon previously-learned concepts. Commonly used letters and sounds are introduced at the outset which is a practical choice. Moreover, each lesson goal is reinforced through opportunities for practice and rehearsal. This solidifies understanding and proficiency in letter recognition and phonics.
Unfortunately, the lesson plans offered by Reading Raven have notable gaps. The app lacks guidance and practice in words with consonant blends like ‘stop’ or ‘last’. Instead, it prioritizes the -gg word ending—which, apart from “egg,” encompasses very few words in the English language.
Prioritizing more common types of words would be a more efficient approach for kids.
Word Matching
The app’s user guide recommends that the “Word Matching” game starts at age three—before word reading begins. The problem with this game is that relying on visual memorization of whole words can pose challenges in learning to read. True word reading proficiency stems from the automatic and immediate recognition of words through the practice of sounding out words (decoding).
This specific game can be deactivated in the adult control settings. However, it can be difficult to do so with the words in the controls section not being visible.
Reading Words
Some activities in the Reading Raven app use synthetic phonics. This type of phonics uses individual letters and corresponding sounds to read and spell words. This is the most efficient type of phonics to use when teaching children foundational literacy skills.
In the app, once children practice their letter sounds a few times, they’re asked to sound out a word. A slider bar is provided under the word. As the child slides the bar and makes the sounds, their voice is recorded. Then, the recording is played back to the child followed by the correct word pronunciation from the app. In this way, children compare their sound blending to the correct word to check for accuracy.
This is almost a great activity. However, the Reading Raven app made a large error in setting up this activity because a picture of the word is provided at the top of the screen. Before the child reads anything, they already know the word based on the image cue. The app ‘gives up’ the opportunity to build strong blending skills by giving the picture before the child reads, thus negating any real thinking or word reading the child would need to do.
Word Building
In the world-building game, children put letters in the correct order to build a word. The word is named and a picture is provided to add meaning to the task.
As the child touches each letter, the ‘Raven’ makes the sound of that letter. Once letters are put in their correct order, the app restates all the letter sounds again and models how to blend them to read the word. This is a helpful activity for children learning to spell.
Reading Phrases and Texts
One standout feature of the app is its structured progression from individual sounds to word reading, then gradually advancing to reading phrases, and then sentences.
This sequential approach is highly effective in scaffolding children’s reading abilities, guiding them through each step deliberately and methodically. By starting with sounds and gradually building up to more complex passages, the app encourages children to develop their reading skills at a manageable pace.
Additionally, the inclusion of ‘decodable’ words—which can be sounded out by children— reinforces phonics skills and enhances overall reading fluency. This thoughtful progression not only fosters confidence but also lays a solid foundation for more advanced reading comprehension in the future.
Does the Reading Raven App Engage Young Learners?
The Reading Raven app effectively engages its young users through several means. While the sticker rewards may not be essential, they add an interesting element without being overly distracting.
The app’s simplicity and clarity make it easy for children to grasp concepts and enjoy activities, ensuring that it remains developmentally age-appropriate.
With the app’s approachable design, children are likely to feel successful while playing, which can boost their confidence and motivation. Additionally, the cute animations, albeit slightly clunky, contribute positively to the overall experience without impeding gameplay or engagement.
Is Reading Raven a Good Phonics App for Kids?
The Reading Raven app provides a cost-effective solution for practice in early literacy development. It offers a user-friendly interface and engaging elements such as sticker rewards and cute animations.
However, it does have its drawbacks. Occasional glitches disrupt gameplay and the limited scope of phonics instruction (particularly the lack of consonant blends) hinders optimal literacy development.
Despite these challenges, the app’s structured progression and the inclusion of different types of decodable texts offer valuable opportunities for young learners to build foundational reading skills. Improving accuracy in letter sounds and letter formation would further enhance the educational value of this app.
To see more phonics app reviews from literacy experts, explore the reviews page at phonics.org.
Reading Raven: Overall Ratings
- Quality of Literacy Instruction: 3/5
- Usability: 3/5
- Engagement: 4/5
