# Elkonin Boxes: A Literacy Tool for Beginning Readers

> Literacy tool for beginning readers to practice phoneme segmentation using Elkonin boxes. (iPhone/iPad app by Ross McNamara.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elkonin-boxes-a-literacy-tool-for-beginning-readers/id1035185824 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ross McNamara](https://appshunter.io/developer/704612404)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 2.20/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 379 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-09-10
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elkonin-boxes-a-literacy-tool-for-beginning-readers/id1035185824/reviews.md

## What is Elkonin Boxes?

Elkonin boxes are a great tool for beginning and struggling readers to build phonological awareness by segmenting words into sounds.  They help students practice counting the number of phonemes in a word—though this is not always the same number of letters.  Mastering this skill orally lays the foundation for both decoding and spelling.

How Elkonin Boxes Work:

1.	Listen to the target word.
2.	Repeat the word aloud.
3.	Say it again, slowly, stretching the word out to hear all the sounds.
4.	As you say the word a third time, tap one square for each sound you hear.
5.	“Sh” is just one tap because those two letters make one sound!
6.	“Bl” is two taps because you can hear both the b and the l in the word.

Have the child count the number of phonemes in the word, not necessarily the number of letters. For example, wish has three phonemes and will use three boxes. /w/, /i/, /sh/

This app breaks goes beyond the basic classroom Elkonin Boxes worksheets by creating multiple levels and 'difficulties' for students to progress through.  Words are divided into three levels, progressing from shortest words and easiest sounds to longest words and blended sounds.

The app also adds in two modes: Practice and Quiz.  In Practice Mode, kids will always be presented with the correct number of boxes to tap.  True beginners can choose to have the correct phoneme (sound) spoken aloud with each tap for them to repeat back.  As they progress, they can opt to have a musical tone play instead - challenging them to come up with each phoneme sound on their own.

After practicing, students will be able to test their skills in Quiz Mode.  Once again they'll need to come up with the phonemes themselves, but now they'll also need to determine how many sounds they hear on their own.  The correct number of boxes to tap won't necessarily be displayed.

Elkonin Boxes are a proven tool for building the basic foundation for early literacy.  This app improves on the established worksheet method by eliminating teacher error (it happens to the best of us!), presenting the exercise in a new and exciting way, and introducing new levels and methods to better help children progress.  Better yet - it's a way kids can practice both at school and at home!

## Key features

- Phoneme segmentation practice
- Multiple difficulty levels
- Practice mode with audio cues
- Quiz mode for skill assessment
- Word progression from simple to complex sounds
- Builds phonological awareness

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elkonin-boxes-a-literacy-tool-for-beginning-readers/id1035185824/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No sound

*2021-05-18*

There is no sound currently with this ap rendering it useless for its intended purpose. The address to contact for support is not responding and I am receiving a message that the email does not exist.

### 1/5 — Could be great

*2020-05-08*

Unfortunately the sound is not working. This defeats the purpose of HEARING and recording sounds.  Otherwise, it would be very helpful and it looks good.

Please fix!!

### 1/5 — Badly designed!

*2017-08-04*

This app is targeted at developing the ear of pre-readers yet all the feedback is in print that they cannot read! Super Lame. Not even worth a penny.

### 1/5 — Elkonin Boxes

*2016-12-06*

Crap! Does not work!

### 3/5 — Just OK

*2016-03-24*

This app has potential, but I think there should be more boxes than possible sounds in the practice, not only the quizzes. There's a disconnect between the two.

## Frequently asked questions about Elkonin Boxes

### What is Elkonin Boxes?

Elkonin Boxes is an educational app designed to help beginning readers develop phonological awareness by segmenting words into individual sounds. It uses a digital representation of Elkonin boxes to guide this process.

### How does Elkonin Boxes help with reading?

By practicing segmenting words into phonemes (sounds), users build a crucial foundation for both decoding words when reading and spelling them. This skill is fundamental for early literacy development.

### What are the different modes in Elkonin Boxes?

The app features a 'Practice Mode' where users can receive audio cues for sounds and the correct number of boxes, and a 'Quiz Mode' where users must identify sounds and the correct number of boxes independently.

### Does Elkonin Boxes have ads?

No, Elkonin Boxes is a paid application and does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What is the price of Elkonin Boxes?

Elkonin Boxes is available for a one-time purchase of $0.99.

### What devices is Elkonin Boxes compatible with?

Elkonin Boxes is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is Elkonin Boxes updated?

The app was last updated on September 25, 2015, to version 1.0.1. Future updates would depend on developer plans.

### What is the age rating for Elkonin Boxes?

Elkonin Boxes has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young children beginning their literacy journey.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.0.1 — 2015-09-25

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fixed landscape weirdness on iPad
Bugs Squashed

### 1.0 — 2015-09-08

No release notes.

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## More apps by Ross McNamara

- [Logic Grid Puzzles - Word Games For Brain Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/logic-grid-puzzles-word-games-for-brain-training/id704673019)
- [Cryptograms - Word Puzzles for Brain Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptograms-word-puzzles-for-brain-training/id895865562)
- [Jumble Jamble - Word Games For Brain Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jumble-jamble-word-games-for-brain-training/id1003414888)
- [Letter Box - Word Games for Brain Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/letter-box-word-games-for-brain-training/id1058435580)

All apps by Ross McNamara: https://appshunter.io/developer/704612404

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*