Reading is important. Maybe the most important skill a child learns at school. Reading requires a lot of practice, also outside the classroom. That is why members of the Language in Interaction Consortium (Radboud University) developed the reading game Letterprins, aimed at children in grade 1 (groep 3), to play together with their parents, grandparents or carers. With the latest knowledge of memory scientists and remedial educationalists Letterprins promotes reading comprehension, vocabulary, word recognition, and of course the joy of reading! The webapp is for free, and is suitable regardless of language background, literacy level and dyslexia. To create an account and play go to www.letterprins.nl.
About the game
All letters gone…
Oh no! The leesbeestjes made a mistake in their magic spell and lost all the letters from the books. You and Letterprins are tasked with finding all letters back. The letters are floating around the palace, and by doing exercises, you will earn even more letters. For every 100 letters you earn, one book will return to the library of the leesbeestjes. Meanwhile, you will get a reading tip suitable for your level and interests, and you see how to borrow the book at your local library.
Playing together
Besides the improvement of reading comprehension, vocabulary, word recognition, our main aim is to show children and parents that reading is fun. That’s why we put a lot of energy into the visual environment of the game. We created a surprising, fairytale-like world where you can practice reading with your child, 10-15 minutes a day.
Six different exercises
The game consists of six distinct exercises, spread over 7 levels. At the start of each level children are shown which letters will be included in the level. Letters a child has difficulties with are practiced first, followed by other exercises in which words can be made with familiar letters.
Throughout the game, children learn more letters, and longer and more complex words are offered. Beyond practicing words, exercises enhance reading comprehension, vocabulary, word recognition. Letters, words, funny phrases. The game follows the abilities of the child, improving step by step.
Extra exercises for difficult letters
Beyond the exercises in the castle, there are also exercises in the house of the reading bugs. These exercises are based on the theory of the Memory Palace. To practice in a novel way with the difficult letters d, eu and ui the researchers hope to improve learning results.
