The Preschooler

Early Elementary Web Site

A friend of mine was telling me about a web site, http://www.starfall.com/, one of the neighboring school districts uses to help reinforce early reading skills.  I was surprised to find that the site is available for free to anyone who wishes to use it.  After perusing it for about half and hour, I let my kindergartner sit down with me and begin playing some of the games.

My son played a couple of games and quickly learned how to navigate the site on his own.  He was having so much fun that he was extremely disappointed when I told him it was time to get off of the computer.  I had to reassure them that he would be allowed to play the next day.

The site itself is very user friendly and contains a large number of phonics-based activities.  It is divided into sections so that children are able to start wherever their individual needs dictate.  My preschooler, for example, is using the “ABC” section of the web site.  The “Learn to Read” section is better suited to my kindergartner.  Once that area is complete, children can move on to “It’s Fun to Read” and “I’m Reading”. 

Each section of the site includes activities, books, and mini videos.  Topics include animal tales, music and art history, folktales, myths, and fables, along with many more.  It is well put together, and was clearly done so by educators.

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Written by Laura on November 8, 2010