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We live in a digital world, and whether we like it or not, everything from entertainment to education has moved to a digital platform offering much more than a traditional setup. With a wide array of options, there’s something to keep you and your child occupied for hours. Needless to say, it also brings concerns about the child’s screen time for a parent. However, how would you react if we told you that you can make the most out of those screen hours by ensuring that your little explorer is learning something new in those screen hours? 

When we talk of learning apps and websites, we often think of narrative videos that need to be watched by children and learn on their own. The educational landscape has transformed significantly in the past few years, making learning interactive and engaging for young learners. Now, the child can not only pick a specific skill they need to improve but also choose the medium they want to learn in. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the top apps to help children’s writing skills, a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for lifelong learning. We understand that, as parents, you want the best for your child and might feel overwhelmed with the abundance of options. So, we’ll also give a list of recommended apps and websites to help you make an informed choice concerning your specific needs. Get ready to dive headfirst into the world of modern education. 

Benefits of Using Apps to Help Children’s Writing Skills

Using apps to boost children's writing skills can be both fun and educational. These tools make learning more interactive, helping kids to enjoy writing while improving their abilities. Here are some key benefits:

• Engaging Learning: Apps often use games and rewards to keep children interested in writing.
• Personalized Feedback: Many apps provide instant feedback, helping kids correct and learn from mistakes.
• Boosts Creativity: Writing apps encourage creative storytelling, allowing children to explore their imagination.
• Builds Vocabulary: With built-in word suggestions, kids learn new words and phrases naturally.
• Convenient Practice: Apps let children practice writing anytime, anywhere, making learning flexible.

Alright, without any further ado, let’s jump right in and explore the best apps and websites for improving writing skills. 

Alphabet and Handwriting Apps

To make learning to write more engaging, various apps have been developed to cater specifically to young learners. Let's explore some standout options.

• rED Writing: Perfecting Letter Formation for Little Learners

The rED Writing app is tailored for young, budding writers. It features interactive tracing exercises that teach the shape and structure of each letter, helping children grasp the basics of writing right from the start. This early focus on letter formation builds a strong foundation for future writing skills. Get the app for iOS here. 

• Endless Alphabet: Fun Learning with Playful Monsters

Endless Alphabet turns learning into an adventure with its quirky monster characters. These friendly guides lead children through the alphabet, making it a fun and informative process. The app effectively helps kids understand word meanings and sounds, setting up a solid base for literacy. You can get it on Android and iOS here. 

• iWriteWords: Guided Tracing for Better Hand-Eye Coordination

iWriteWords offers guided tracing activities to improve hand-eye coordination for young writers just starting out. With multiple levels that adapt to a child's progress, this app provides a personalized learning experience. Its playback feature also allows kids and parents to review letter and number formation for added insight. Get it for iOS here. 

Next up are the storytelling apps to spark the creativity in your young writers. 

Storytelling and Book Creation Apps for Kids

Digital storytelling apps harness children's creativity and imagination. Here are some of the most effective tools that allow kids to dive into the world of creative storytelling and book-making, giving life to their vivid imaginations.

• Toontastic 3D: Storytelling Through Animation

Toontastic 3D makes storytelling a blast! This free app by Google lets kids draw, animate, and narrate their own tales using customizable characters and settings. With structured prompts to guide them, children learn the basics of storytelling while adding music and sound effects to bring their stories to life. They can even share their creations as 2D or 3D videos with friends and family. Get it for Android here. 

• Book Creator: Digital Book Publishing for All Ages

Book Creator empowers children to publish their own digital books. Supporting various formats like ebooks and PDFs, the app allows kids to add multimedia elements, use templates, and collaborate on projects. It's a versatile tool that nurtures skills in writing, design, and storytelling. Get it for iOS here. 

• Storybird: Writing with Illustrative Prompts

Storybird sparks creativity using a collection of stunning illustrations as prompts. Kids craft their stories, participate in writing challenges, and share them within a supportive community for feedback. With tools suitable for writers as young as six, it promotes language development and creativity in writers of all ages. It’s available for iOS here. 

For more insights and parental reviews, check out this Reddit discussion.

Moving ahead, here are some comprehensive learning platforms to help your child develop comprehension skills while having fun. 

Comprehensive Learning Platforms

Comprehensive learning platforms provide structure and fun to the educational journey, ensuring children learn progressively and effectively.

• The FunFox Program: Centered on Language Development

The FunFox Program specializes in developing children's language skills through engaging, multi-sensory activities. Designed for kids aged 4-12, it covers reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension. The program uses interactive resources like worksheets, games, and story-building exercises to make learning fun and effective. With a focus on building confidence in literacy, FunFox also provides progress tracking for parents and teachers, ensuring a tailored learning experience.

• ABCmouse.com: From Tracing Letters to Sentences

ABCmouse.com offers a comprehensive curriculum in reading, writing, math, art, and music. With a wide range of interactive activities, it's ideal for children from preschool to elementary. The platform engages young learners through games, puzzles, and animations, guiding them from introductory letter tracing to complete sentence formation.

• SplashLearn: Progressive Skill Building

SplashLearn uses a gamified approach to teach basic tracing and sentence formation for kids from preschool to grade 5. Its adaptive learning adjusts to each child’s performance, and the parent dashboard helps track progress. This method not only keeps kids engaged but also solidifies their early literacy skills.

These platforms are versatile and compatible with multiple devices, making learning convenient, whether on desktops, tablets, or smartphones.

Now, let’s look at some interactive tools for grammar and sentence structure. 

Interactive Grammar and Sentence Construction Tools

Understanding grammar and sentence structure can be challenging for children, but interactive tools make the process more approachable and fun.

• Grammaropolis: Bringing Grammar to Life

Grammaropolis makes grammar fun by turning abstract rules into lively, animated characters. Each part of speech, like nouns and verbs, becomes a unique character, transforming grammar into an engaging playground. The platform combines catchy songs, animations, and interactive games, catering to various learning styles—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Get it for iOS here. 

• SentenceBuilder: Crafting Sentences with Ease

SentenceBuilder uses visual aids like word cards and digital blocks to help kids grasp sentence structure. Teachers can customize sentences to fit specific lessons, creating a tailored learning experience. With instant feedback, children quickly reinforce their grammar skills, making each learning moment memorable. Find it for iOS here. 

If your child is interested in creative writing, here are some platforms to provide them with fun creative writing prompts. 

Fun Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Creative writing is a wonderful way for kids to express themselves, and having a variety of prompts helps spark their imagination. Writing prompts for kids are often divided into categories, providing targeted inspiration for different age groups and interests.

• Writing Prompts for Kids: Inspiring Creativity at Every Stage

For elementary kids, prompts like talking to animals or discovering a hidden island ignite their imagination. They can also explore everyday themes, such as what makes their school special.

Middle schoolers benefit from adventurous prompts like inventing future transportation or building a dream treehouse, expanding their creative thinking. Realistic scenarios, like planning a dream vacation, allow them to imagine real-world experiences.

High school students can tackle complex prompts focused on character development, like writing from a different character’s perspective or crafting a detective mystery.

• The Writing Challenge: Timed Creativity Boosts

Timed writing challenges, such as ‘Write a story using apple, train, elephant, paper, banjo,’ add excitement to the process. Interactive story starters, role-playing, comic strips, and picture prompts further inspire creativity. Tools like iTrace, Storybird, Scholastic’s Writing Prompt Generator, and NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program offer structured prompts for practice.

This variety of prompts caters to different interests, making writing an engaging skill for kids to develop. Check out our prompts for a  30-day writing challenge to make writing a habit for your little one. 

Now, we’re about to dive into the world of publishing platforms that let young writers share their wonderful creations.

Publishing Platforms for Young Writers

Sharing and publishing young writers' work is a pivotal part of nurturing them. This not only validates their efforts but also encourages them to develop their stories further. Let's explore two exciting platforms dedicated to this purpose.

• Blurb

Blurb is a fantastic platform that allows kids to transform their written stories into professionally printed books. With easy-to-use book-making tools, children can design, format, and publish their stories, which can be ordered as physical copies or shared digitally. It provides a real sense of accomplishment, motivating young writers to take pride in their work and inspiring them to keep writing.

• StoryJumper: Create and Share Storybooks

StoryJumper allows students to create storybooks individually or in groups, using templates and a vast library for illustrations. A standout feature is the ability to publish digital stories in print, giving students a tangible sense of accomplishment. For educators, StoryJumper connects storytelling with curriculum goals, enhancing learning through creativity.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap! Writing doesn't have to be a chore; it becomes an adventure with the right apps and websites! Whether mastering letter formation, creating imaginative stories, or building strong grammar skills, these digital tools turn screen time into learning time. The variety of platforms available ensures there's something for every young writer, from beginners tracing their first letters to budding authors crafting their own books.

And if you're looking for a community to keep the excitement going, check out the FunFox Writers Club! It's a fantastic space where young writers can share their stories, receive feedback, and be part of a supportive community that nurtures their creativity.

So why not dive in and explore these fun educational apps with your child? Who knows, you might just inspire the next great storyteller—or at the very least, make writing a whole lot more enjoyable!