If you have a preschooler, kindergartner, or first grader, you will want to read my StudyDog review to find out if this program can help your child learn to read.
Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary trial to review the program and provide my honest opinion.
My 4 year old daughter has attended preschool for the last year and a half. She is very interested in letters, writing, phonetic sounds, letter recognition, name recognition, and more. So, when I had the opportunity to review the StudyDog program, I was excited to see how she would like it.
What is the StudyDog Program?
StudyDog is the fastest growing children’s reading program for kids ages 4-9. Proven effective. Your kids will learn to read, and love every minute of it.
StudyDog was founded on the belief that success in life begins with reading. With this objective in mind the StudyDog team designed a full pre-K through 1st grade innovative reading system that is currently the fastest growing reading program in schools nationwide.
StudyDog is designed for children to work independently so there is minimal adult supervision needed. The game-like lessons and detailed graphics keep the child engaged so they have fun while they are learning critical reading skills. While the children think they are playing a game, their progress is being monitored and communicated to the teacher or parent directly.
Which Age Is StudyDog Good For?
Your PreK child will learn letter recognition, rhyming sounds and all other skills necessary to successfully prepare for phonics.
At the Kindergarten reading level, kids need to know Phonics and 9 Reading Skills. StudyDog encourages them to try—and always acknowledges their successes along the way.
Is your child at the 1st grade reading level? Watch as StudyDog turns even struggling readers into masters, with lessons designed just for them—and then coaching them along the way, all automatically.
If your child is a little behind, the 2nd grade reading level will prepare an individualized reading program that teaches skills that were not adequately mastered.
StudyDog Lessons
I love that the program is voice directed and interactive. I set my daughter up at the computer and she was guided through the program by a kid-friendly narrator who encouraged her to answer questions and repeat sounds.
I just sat back and let her do her thing. It built her confidence that she didn’t need my help. Every so often, she would tell me she would yell out the answers to me and I would praise and encourage her.
She was able to practice:
What’s Included in the StudyDog Program
- Lessons based on grade level
- ebooks
- Alphabet Practice
- “About Me” Activities
- Coloring Series
- Word Games
Introduction for parents with helpful tips like:
- Get your child signed in to StudyDog and let them go! Its best if they work through the questions on their own.
- For maximum retention, limit your child to one new StudyDog lesson, 3 times per week.
- Set up a rewards system for the points your child earns.
Compatibility:
- Will work on iPad using the app ‘Puffin’ available for $2.99 from the appstore. Download ‘Puffin’ to your iPad and access StudyDog through their browser.
- Supports all versions of 3.0 Android (TM) devices equipped with Flash (TM), including Toshiba’s Thrive, Acer’s Iconia a500/a100, Motorola’s Xoom, Lenovo’s Idea Pad and Archos G9.
- Also supports Barnes and Noble’s Nook Color and Blackberry’s Playbook.
My Opinion of StudyDog
My 4 year old daughter is comfortable using a mouse and navigating web pages. Following the directions, she really enjoyed arranging letters. Her attention was captured during the stories that were read to her and in the transitions between games.
There were many free printables available to practice reading, writing, and coloring. As she learns, I have access to a progress report and their blog provides tips and suggestions on how to keep readers engaged, praising your reader, and having fun with reading.
If you have older children, you can use sites like Professays dot com.
If my son (who is now 11) was also just learning to read, I could have a separate profile for each of my children, to have personalized recommendations and reports on each one’s progress. I also appreciated the emails I received that encouraged me with the recommendation to spend 20 minutes a day using the program along with more information about the program.
Wondering if StudyDog will work for you? Sign up for a free 7 day trial.
Ready to buy? The price is as little as $5.99 per month if you pay for a full year or $8.99 per month.
I believe this program is well worth the monthly fee. Anything that can make learning, especially reading easier and more fun, gets my vote.
Stay tuned for a StudyDog Giveaway, where one reader will win one year of the program.
Stay tuned for a StudyDog Giveaway, where one reader will win one year of the program.