Loving Learning Literacy

Literacy at Home – Optional Apps and Websites for Families

Once again, thank you to the parents who were able to attend our additional Literacy Presentation for Parents session last Tuesday. Your engagement and contributions were very much appreciated. In following parent feedback, please read the following on how you can support your child at home with reading and spelling practice.

At school, we know that regular, successful practice helps children build strong reading and spelling skills. Families sometimes ask for ideas to support literacy at home, so we have gathered a small collection of optional resources that may complement classroom learning.

These are not school endorsed programs and we have not formally evaluated each resource. However, we selected them because they appear to align with approaches supported by the Science of Reading, Science of Learning, and cognitive science principles, including explicit practice, structured progression, retrieval, repetition, and opportunities to apply learning in short sessions.

A helpful reminder: More screen time does not necessarily mean more learning. Short, focused practice (5–15 minutes), combined with reading together and discussing books, is often more effective than long sessions.

Reading Practice

Teach Your Monster to Read A game-based reading program that focuses on early reading skills including letter–sound knowledge, blending and recognising some high-frequency words. It is designed to support synthetic phonics approaches and may provide additional practice for students in the early stages of learning to read.

SPELD SA – Free Decodable Readers An Australian resource offering free decodable texts. Decodable readers allow children to practise reading words that match the phonics knowledge they have already been taught, helping to strengthen decoding and reading confidence. The books are organised in a structured sequence to support gradual skill development.

Jolly Phonics Learn to Read App This app provides additional opportunities to practise letter–sound relationships and early decoding skills. Families may wish to explore whether the sequence aligns with what their child is currently learning at school.

Spelling Practice

Spellcaster Education A game-based spelling platform that encourages repeated retrieval and application of spelling patterns. When using spelling games, it is helpful to focus on accuracy and explaining patterns rather than simply aiming for speed.

EdShed (Spelling Shed) This resource provides structured opportunities to practise spelling through repeated exposure and retrieval. Families may find it most helpful when children say sounds aloud, discuss patterns, and connect words to classroom learning.

Spelfabet – Free Literacy Resources An Australian website offering free literacy resources and practical information for families. Resources focus on areas such as phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, and language development.

Tips for Getting the Most from Literacy Practice at Home

• Aim for short and regular practice sessions rather than long blocks.
• Encourage your child to say sounds aloud and explain their thinking.
• Re-read familiar books to build accuracy, fluency and confidence.
• Balance digital activities with reading real books together.
• Keep practice positive, confidence and success help build motivation.

Thank you for continuing to support your child’s literacy journey at home!