I was thrilled to get a chance to review the new online PC version of Talking Shapes: A Supplemental Curriculum for Early Literacy from Talking Fingers Inc.
This is a computer based system that is comprised of a set of 7 on-screen stories about two sisters from long ago who invented the alphabet. Each story builds upon each other as they present several new letters, sounds, words, and games designed to help children learn to read and write.
As you work through each book, the grayed-out ones become colorful and clickable.
I received a one-year subscription to an online version that I accessed through my computer browser to be used with multiple users. It is not an app, so I didn't need an iPad or iPhone to use the product, though the information that accompanied the new PC version mentioned that it does work best with a touch screen. My laptop has a touch screen, but it only worked for us when we used the mouse with the letter formation exercises.
After logging on, the child selects Book 1 to begin a story that is read to them as they click to the next page. At the end, letters were presented in the form of easy-to-remember shapes that form each letter and the child is asked to say the sound and then draw it using the computer mouse. When the child is done for the day, or if you lose internet connection, the story will pick up where your child left off.
There are also games that reinforce each letter-learning skill along the way.
The program is designed as a complete preschool curriculum to give preschool children, age 4-5 years old, practice drawing letters, building words, and starting to learn the connection between the spoken words and the written alphabet. Each book presents a story, three spelling games along with a reading game.
Upon the completion of each book, your child receives a bronze, silver or gold trophy depending upon how they score. If they receive a bronze or silver trophy, they are able to go back and try for the next level up. Click on the Owl Scholar at the bottom left of the home screen to be able to see your child's progress. When the child has finished section 3, 5, and 7, they will be given the opportunity to play games that will assess their progress and produce a spelling and reading comprehension score.
Research reveals that reading and speech go hand in hand, so it's important for the child to understand that the shapes their mouths make create various sounds. This is called phoneme awareness. Talking Shapes combines learning phonics along with phoneme awareness.
As you work through each book, the grayed-out ones become colorful and clickable.
I received a one-year subscription to an online version that I accessed through my computer browser to be used with multiple users. It is not an app, so I didn't need an iPad or iPhone to use the product, though the information that accompanied the new PC version mentioned that it does work best with a touch screen. My laptop has a touch screen, but it only worked for us when we used the mouse with the letter formation exercises.
After logging on, the child selects Book 1 to begin a story that is read to them as they click to the next page. At the end, letters were presented in the form of easy-to-remember shapes that form each letter and the child is asked to say the sound and then draw it using the computer mouse. When the child is done for the day, or if you lose internet connection, the story will pick up where your child left off.
There are also games that reinforce each letter-learning skill along the way.
The program is designed as a complete preschool curriculum to give preschool children, age 4-5 years old, practice drawing letters, building words, and starting to learn the connection between the spoken words and the written alphabet. Each book presents a story, three spelling games along with a reading game.
Upon the completion of each book, your child receives a bronze, silver or gold trophy depending upon how they score. If they receive a bronze or silver trophy, they are able to go back and try for the next level up. Click on the Owl Scholar at the bottom left of the home screen to be able to see your child's progress. When the child has finished section 3, 5, and 7, they will be given the opportunity to play games that will assess their progress and produce a spelling and reading comprehension score.
Research reveals that reading and speech go hand in hand, so it's important for the child to understand that the shapes their mouths make create various sounds. This is called phoneme awareness. Talking Shapes combines learning phonics along with phoneme awareness.
How Did We Use It?
And, there's more:
I was asked to have my child use this at least 2 times a week throughout the review period. My daughter is a little above the recommended age range, but I figured it never hurts to reinforce foundation reading skills. I sat down my daughter, and she began to make her way through her first book. It didn't take long before she was delighted to discover that for the sound of the letter "e", the program chose to emphasize it by using a phrase - "Every Elegant Elephant"! She loves elephants. She easily accomplished what was asked of her through the exercises and games.
What Did We Think?
This on-screen program offers hands-on learning with fun, interactive learning activities that is a great way to reinforce phonics and phonemic awareness that goes into learning to read, speak, and write.
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/talkingfingersvideo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReadWriteType/with_replies
Read what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:
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