Leave a Review Hooked on Phonics Learning
Bring back the old version
I’m a homeschool mom, my first daughter learned to read using your program I have all the sets and for a reward that would get to use the app that went along with the books and was super excited to learn to read. Now that my other daughter is learning to read with the physical books she doesn’t get to use the app because it’s too baby-ish and doesn’t look like the books anymore or easy to use. They loved the part where they earned trophies and extra books to read on it. Wish you would give the option to use the old app or new one for others. Disappointing. I’m going to have to find another reading program to buy now to use for my other daughter.Show lesshmacnski
Developer Response
Hi hmacnski, Unfortunately, we are unable to run two versions of the App at the same time, so we cannot offer the legacy App at this time. If you'd like tips and ideas for getting your child excited about the new App, please email contact@hookedonphonics.com. Thank you!Lessons in activities great but “a” in end of unit books doesn’t match
My daughter just started the “Learn to read” program & was so proud to get to the end of the unit reading words that end in -an.
Hooked on phonics spends the unit (and every subsequent unit) using the simple lowercase “a” shape (the one that my phone won’t let me type apparently, but we write as a circle with a line backbone), and then in the end of unit book the program switches to the fancy type lowercase “a” (as typed here). After spending a unit identifying the shape of lowercase a’s go switch to a new shape of a with jo introduction is rough on a new reader. The end of unit books could use more support in general- it’s unclear if the expectation is that she can independently read them or if she’s meant to listen to them as watch the words highlight as a means of reinforcement.Show lessMomSaysWhat?!
Developer Response
Hello MomSaysWhat, Thank you for this thoughtful review! We hear what you are saying, 100%. While consistency is important as we introduce children to letters, when exposing children to print language, at a certain point in time we must start encouraging them to accommodate variations in font, including the difference between serif and sans serif fonts. Later in the program, you'll notice a note in your workbook that says: Your child may notice that letters don't always look the same as the ones shown here. Explain that letters can look different depending on the style, or typeface, used, but they still make the same sounds and are called the same name. We did not include this note in the Prereader section, as most families will be using the ebooks and books within the workbooks as "read to me" titles before they progress to the Learn to Read section, so the child is not reading the text themselves. That said, you're absolutely right. We see the value in this consistency and will work with our developer team to update the ebook text to use a serif font to keep the shape of the letter 'a' consistent. Thank you!Really love the characters and videos
The characters are really enjoyable and the songs are quite fun, without being annoying as an adult! Really enjoying using the appchriscf22
Buggy [UPDATED]
UPDATE: I think as long as you keep your subscription current, the progress is saved. Personally, I prefer to manually update my subscriptions month to month (sometimes letting them expire for a short time) to ensure I don’t pay for ones I no longer use. In any case, the app works well and has helped my four-year-old develop independent reading very early, and I’m especially happy to see the introduction of a spelling program.
I want to love this app as its method really is helping my kid learn to read, but it’s SOOO buggy when it comes to remembering/saving my kid’s progress. He’s had to do the same lesson 5 times and the app refuses to acknowledge he’s completed it.Show less0x294
Developer Response
Hi there! Thanks so much for updating your review. If you run into any problems at all going forward, please let us know. Happy reading!New version very disappointing
I bought this years ago for my daughter , and that it was decent for the price.Now it’s just a disappointment.ViperULTRA
Second Generation Win
My Dad used Hooked on Phonics when I struggled with reading growing up so when my own children started having problems I found an old cassette tape and book set and tried it out. They enjoyed it, but one of our kids has a hard time with Times New Roman font so I reached out the company to ask about the new app and book set. The customer service rep was not sure about which typeface the new system used but offered us a trial run for $1 of app and books.
The new system has larger more adaptive font with more spacing between the lines as well. We love that the books are used in different ways on the app so we can reinforce what our kids are doing independently. Now both have the ability to read and we are continuing to work on fluency and confidence.
Thank you Hooked on Phonics for helping a second generation of readers in my family.Show lesschildofalliance
Developer Response
Dear childofalliance, Your review makes our team very happy, as multigenerational Hooked on Phonics reading traditions are especially exciting to see. We're thrilled the tried and true program has evolved to work as well for your children as it did for you. We're here if you ever need assistance at cs@hookedonphonics.com. Happy reading!Highly recommend!
I am well aware of how kids are being taught to read in schools... and it’s all WRONG (listen to the ‘EDUCATE’ podcast, and you will see just how bad it really is!) Anyways, when my son was about 16 months I introduced him to Hooked on Phonics. This. Changed. Everything. By 19 months he could recite his ABC’s. By 21 months he would rearrange the fridge magnets with the entire alphabet. By 24 months he would SPELL things to me like when he wanted water, he would literally SPELL out ‘W-A-T-E-R’ as well as other things like ‘ I LOVE YOU’. Today, he is now 3.5yrs old, my child is reading level 5 books. There is not a single word that he cannot decipher. He isn’t just reading, he is actually COMPREHENDING the text. I encourage parents to use HOOKED ON PHONICS. It is also critical to understand how schools are teaching kids to read (see podcast ‘EDUCATE’ on NPR.. it is an award winning podcast,) & to look at the actual SCIENCE behind how children are learning to read. Hooked on Phonics is absolutely vital in a child’s journey to becoming a good reader. I cannot express to parents just how important it is to teach your child PHONICS first and foremost. I suppose you don’t need to take my word for it, just see the science for yourself!!Show lessJennie*o1
Developer Response
Dear Jennie*o1, We're so thrilled to hear from you, and we love your enthusiasm. We agree that the science behind the Hooked on Phonics program is proven, and we love to hear that real families are enjoying both using the program, and the delight that comes from seeing your child succeed in this essential area of their lifelong education, as reading is the gateway to so much future learning. Happy reading to you, and thank you so much for your kind review. Would you be willing to email me directly at jamie.levinthal@hookedonphonics.com? We'd love to hear more about your experience. Thank you in advance.Terrible
App is not designed for iPad (which my child uses) as it cuts off a part of the screen on each side. I contacted customer service and they offered me a month free but then charged me again the next month. Now I am attempting to cancel and I cannot login to the account as it says my account is not recognized.
I would not recommendShow lessKategem11
Needs to work out some kinks
It’s a good app but there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement. I really wish “aw” would be added to it because my son really struggled with “aw” words (saw, jaw) when we were doing sight words without the app. I wish you had to make the kids speak the words before they moved on. Because he can just click right through them. So I really have to be right on top of him when he’s doing this otherwise he’s not getting anything out of it. If my Spanish app requires me to say things in Spanish before I move on then there’s no reason why it can’t be on this app too. It’s an okay app. Just really needs a bit more tlc.Show lessJellybean898
Developer Response
Jellybean, Thanks so much for this targeted feedback! We'll pass this to our product team, for sure. Happy reading!Great EAL tool
I use this app as warm up activity to start the lessons with my EAL pupils. I have recommended to parents to get the app for home practice.tinamk28
