Hooked on Phonics: App or Books?

May 29, 2023 3:23 PM

Considering buying Hooked on Phonics for a 5 y/o and having a hard time choosing between the books and the app.

My 5 year old told me he really wants to work on learning to read over the summer. I think he would like a structured program like Hooked on Phonics, which is how I learned, and still seems well liked.

He doesn't have a tablet or do regular "screen time" except occasional movie watching with us. I'm sure the app is great but I'm not sure which device I would use it on and I'm feeling resistant to introducing everyday app use, which I feel like might lead to power struggles. On the other hand, I realize an app might be much more exciting, provide instant feedback, and be more self-led than the set of books.

Does anyone have experience with both? Or feel strongly about the format they tried?

posted by beyond_pink to Education (7 answers total)

I have not used or even seen either. But I wanted to comment on the "instant feedback" thing because I want to point out that it's a double-edged sword. If kids are getting a little dings or reward or crystal or whatever everytime they do something right, it's a little hit of dopamine. I am not a neuroscoentist, but I feel really wary of training a developing brain that it needs a hit of dopamine every 3-5 seconds. It's ok to wait a few minutes for feedback or rewards.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:34 PM on May 29, 2023 [8 favorites]

Best answer: My kiddo was a very quick study at reading and the only formal practice we had to do was some flash cards (100 first words type).

But relatedly, he looooves learning piano with an app. It's great… sort of. When the app subscription ran out and we didn't renew it, he pretty much stopped playing. It was so addictive in a sort of video game way that he is struggling to enjoy playing music without an app. That may come with time, but meanwhile he happily devours graphic novels and will read 'regular' novels for fun too.

In hindsight, I mildly regret going for the app. It was sort a pandemic crutch that we needed, but there's no going back.

Which is a long way of saying: think very hard about how/when you introduce this kind of app learning. It's not necessarily bad, but it's a choice you kind of only get to make once.

I would advise doing books first and only going to app if that's not working. I'm sure they are not cheap, but they probably have decent resale value.
posted by SaltySalticid at 3:49 PM on May 29, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: We used the books with our kids, and granted, apps weren't a thing then, but there was plenty of positive feedback and the books really are remarkably self-directed. I recommend the system whenever I can.
posted by cooker girl at 5:08 PM on May 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

A key advantage of the paper version is the high quality one-on-one time with a favorite adult.
posted by oceano at 5:17 PM on May 29, 2023 [8 favorites]

There's a popular book called Teach Your Kid To Read In 100 Easy Lessons, that is a great step by step phonics program. If you have the time it might be a more fun and interactive way to do it. Good luck to your kiddo!
posted by jeszac at 5:37 PM on May 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

While I do read ebooks, for beginning readers I will always recommend paper books. They don't break when you drop them, they don't need batteries, a child can sneak them under the covers to try to read later than bedtime (which, if you discover it happening, you should let slide for a half hour or so; or "one more chapter" in my opinion); if they get wet they can often be dried out; there are a lot of advantages to paper materials with young ones
posted by TimHare at 9:01 PM on May 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Ok, you all convinced me, I'm going with paper!
posted by beyond_pink at 9:03 AM on May 30, 2023 [1 favorite]