“The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.”
While I always make time to read {actual} books, I think even Dr. Seuss would agree there are so many great online reading resources. From supporting emergent literacy (learning how to read) and experiencing a story in a different way (hearing it read aloud or seeing it in action) to making sure every child has the chance to read books ... you'll find great websites for reading with your kids.
As a former elementary school teacher and current mom-of-two, here are a few of my personal favorites - all of which I enjoy with my daughters. {I have not included apps here - just websites.}
FOR YOUNG READERS
Starfall - www.starfall.com
Originally designed for ESL students, this website focuses on the fundamentals of reading and phonics.
Readeez - www.readeez.com
(Learning Disguised as Smiling) Readeez are a new way to learn reading, math, ESL, spelling and other useful things. A Readee is a short video, usually musical, where you see and hear every syllable at the same time. The songs are catchy. The videos are very well made and fun to watch.
ONLINE STORIES FOR ALL AGES
Nightlight Stories - www.nightlightstories.net
Night Light Stories is a podcast featuring original children's stories. These stories were all originally told by the friendly glow of a child's night light. You can download and listen to the stories from the links on the blog or download it free at iTunes!
Storytime from Barnes and Noble - www.barnesandnoble.com/storytimeEach month, Barnes & Noble adds a new book to its free online story time for kids, and the stories are read by authors and celebrities.
Storyline Online - www.storylineonline.net
An on-line streaming video program featuring SAG (Screen Actors Guild) members reading children's books aloud!
ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO LITERACY
Milk+Bookies is a non-profit organization that exposes young children to how great it feels to give back while celebrating the love of a good book.
We Give Books is a free website that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online.
Choose the charity you want to read for and then select the books you want to read. For each book you read online, we donate a book to a leading literacy group on your behalf. The more you read, the more we give.
Millions of children in low-income neighborhoods are at risk of school failure before they even start kindergarten. Jumpstart's Read for the Record®, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, allows Americans to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve.
