# SSP Monster Sounds > Learn English reading with phonics and 'Speech Sound Monsters'. (iPhone/iPad app by James Fisher.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssp-monster-sounds/id1522984156 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [James Fisher](https://appshunter.io/developer/1522984158) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 30 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2020-07-13 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssp-monster-sounds/id1522984156/reviews.md ## What is SSP Monster Sounds? The only way to successfully learn to read in English is to know the 'speech sound' values of the letters. We call letters 'pictures of speech sounds' or Speech Sound Pics. The written code was created to represent speech sounds, not the other way around, so a 'Speech to Print' approach is taken. Phonics is essential for ALL readers, but students will struggle to learn phonics without phonemic awareness proficiency. Even when children are taught 'phonics' they can struggle to know how to pronounce the graphemes they see in unfamiliar words. Many teachers would use phonetic symbols, but these are not very appealing to young children. As an alternative Miss Emma created 'Speech Sound Monsters'. Miss Emma 'Code Maps' and 'Monster Maps' texts and books for children so that they can actually read without any help! Download the SSP Monster Sounds App to learn all the speech sounds of the English language and the friendly monsters who say them. Look for the SSP Monster Mapping App to see Code Mapped and Monster Mapped text or visit https://SpeechSoundPics.com for more info and to access resources. Miss Emma is a highly successful teacher and former OFSTED Inspector. She has a Masters Degree in Special Educational Needs (Dyslexia focus) and is undertaking doctoral study in the UK (with a research focus on phonemic awareness and dyslexia). ## Key features - Speech Sound Pics for reading - Speech to Print approach - Phonemic awareness training - Friendly monster characters - Learn English speech sounds ## Recent user reviews (4 of 4) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssp-monster-sounds/id1522984156/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Wow! *2023-08-02* This is amazing ### 5/5 — Phonetic Symbols for Kids *2021-09-05* These child friendly multi-modal monsters are engaging and help develop phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is the best indicator of reading success. Children love them! ### 5/5 — Amazing mnemonic tool for learning sounds *2020-07-18* People out there with crazy memory skills use visual mnemonics to maximise their memory. In this app each sound in English is a multi-modal monster - an engaging and easy handle for kids to hold on to build phonemic (sound) awareness! This is the most important thing in learning to read. Kids (and adults) can blend away on this! So excited to have this! The SSP way of helping kids to read is great - class and home! And will improve your spelling too! ### 5/5 — Awesome App! *2020-07-16* Love, love, love this tool, so will my cherubs!!! Thank you! ## Frequently asked questions about SSP Monster Sounds ### What is the main learning method used by SSP Monster Sounds? SSP Monster Sounds utilizes a 'Speech to Print' approach, focusing on teaching the 'speech sound' values of letters. This method emphasizes phonemic awareness as a foundation for learning phonics and reading. ### How does SSP Monster Sounds make learning phonics engaging for children? The app introduces 'Speech Sound Monsters' that represent the sounds of letters. These friendly characters are designed to make learning the phonetic values of graphemes more appealing and memorable for young children. ### Is SSP Monster Sounds suitable for children with reading difficulties? Yes, the app's creator has a Masters Degree in Special Educational Needs with a focus on dyslexia and is researching phonemic awareness and dyslexia. The 'Speech to Print' method and visual aids are beneficial for learners who struggle with traditional phonics instruction. ### What devices is SSP Monster Sounds available on? SSP Monster Sounds is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. ### How often is SSP Monster Sounds updated? The app was last updated on August 14, 2020, with version 1.0.5. Further updates would depend on the developer's release schedule. ### Does SSP Monster Sounds require an internet connection to play? The provided description does not specify offline capabilities. However, educational apps often function best with an internet connection for potential updates or supplementary content. ### What age rating is SSP Monster Sounds recommended for? SSP Monster Sounds is recommended for children aged 4 and above. ### Does SSP Monster Sounds have ads? No, SSP Monster Sounds does not contain advertisements. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 1.0.5 — 2020-08-14 Removed IPA characters. Replaced monster animation. ### 1.0.4 — 2020-08-05 Updated graphics and animations. ### 1.0.3 — 2020-07-14 Fixed issue with screen being rotated for home button on the left hand side rather than the right. Requires iOS 12+. Duplicate sound removed, missing sound added and graphics updated. ### 1.0 — 2020-07-14 No release notes. ## Apps similar to SSP Monster Sounds | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [MATC - Mid-America Tech Center](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matc-mid-america-tech-center/id1475301420) | 5.0 (7) | Free | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 4](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-4/id829741897) | — | $3.99 | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 7 Unit 5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-7-unit-5/id1489775388) | — | $6.99 | Education | | [Decodable Readers L1 Sample](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decodable-readers-l1-sample/id1450470178) | 1.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [QSchools](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qschools/id633343422) | 3.3 (3) | Free | Education | | [Decodable Readers L4 Sample](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decodable-readers-l4-sample/id1450470190) | — | Free | Education | --- *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.*