Buzz 'n' Read (Standard) vs AskOwlo

FOR BEGINNER READERS-- This Standard version of Buzz 'n' Read teaches reading by using important step-by-step techniques based on the PHONICS and structure of Standard English. Both Buzz 'n' Read apps are designed for children to learn to read by using stories with characters that look and sound like them so they can get excited about reading! This app will help your child to learn to read faster! Buzz ‘n’ Read (Standard/Phonics) focuses on teaching the BASICS OF PHONICS so that your child can learn to read by decoding letters rather than memorizing what every word looks like. Phonics is well-supported by research on learning to read because it gives your child a way to sound out almost any word they come across, even if they have never seen it before. This approach to reading will help your child become a strong reader! Buzz ‘n’ Read will help to make the process fun! Unlike other learn-to-read apps, this app begins with the very important first step in reading: learning to match letters to sounds so that your child can sound out words. This stage of reading using phonics is called DECODING. After learning this connection, a fun target game is used in this app to help strengthen your child’s learning. The next step in phonics is to learn to BLEND the letter sounds together to figure out what the word is. After learning to decode, your child will be taught how to blend sounds together to make a word and then will be given feedback on whether they sounded out the word correctly. Buzz ‘n’ Read is very unique in that it LISTENS TO YOUR CHILD while he or she is reading. The app uses speech recognition to listen to your child slowly sound out each word until he or she identifies it correctly. A happy sound is played when they say the word. Your child will then get to practice blending sounds together to make words by reading stories with simple words and beautiful illustrations. The words on the screen are read in part by the app’s narrator and in part by your child, with feedback for your child when the word is read correctly. This feedback is important in helping them to learn to read more accurately! The instructions and stories in Buzz ‘n’ Read are all spoken out loud to your child for easier navigation. The voice of the child is engaging and relatable. In most other reading apps, the instructions are written for a parent who is expected to help the child use the app to read. Having a narrator explain the reading process to your child and provide instructions for using the app not only makes learning a friendly process, but your child could even use this app to learn to read all by him- or herself! Best of all, BUZZ ‘n’ Read is COMPLETELY FREE, with no in-app purchases or membership fees, unlike any major other reading app available for iOS. This app was developed by Jackson Lasaga-Ivey.

A CALMER PLACE FOR CURIOUS KIDS Screen time can be loud, fast and distracting. AskOwlo offers something different: a calm, colorful learning world where children ages 4 to 12 can read, listen, think, play and create. No ads. No open-ended chat. Just thoughtful learning with Owlo and Koko. LEARN TO READ, ONE WORD AT A TIME Children can explore hundreds of beautifully illustrated stories about animals, space, science, nature, history, music and much more. Every story can be read or heard aloud. Word-by-word highlighting helps children follow the narration and connect the words they hear with the words they see. AskOwlo offers more than 1,000 read-along experiences across English, Dutch and Arabic. It is perfect for independent reading, quiet time or a story before bed. FUN QUIZZES THAT HELP LEARNING STICK After exploring a new idea, children can test what they remember through playful quiz games. Questions and answer choices can be heard aloud, so developing readers can participate confidently. Topics include science, nature, animals, feelings, colors and everyday knowledge. MATH GAMES THAT GROW WITH THEM Children can build confidence with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Math Race offers quick, lively challenges that become more difficult as children progress. Skate Plus turns the number line into an adventure, while Galaxy Count makes counting and comparison fun. MORE THAN 5,000 COLORING PAGES Children can color Owlo, Koko and their adventures directly inside the app. Finished pictures can be saved and printed at home, giving creativity somewhere to continue after screen time ends. MEET THE OWLO METHOD Koko is curious. Owlo helps make each answer clear. The Owlo Method combines Montessori-inspired independence with Socratic-style questions. Children choose what interests them, wonder about meaningful questions, follow clear explanations and practice what they discover. CHOOSE. WONDER. EXPLAIN. PRACTICE. MADE FOR CHILDREN. REASSURING FOR PARENTS. • Designed for children ages 4 to 12 • No ads • No open-ended chat • English, Dutch and Arabic • Spoken questions and instructions • Large, child-friendly controls • Parent settings kept separate from children’s play • Suitable for independent or shared family time MADE WITH LOVE IN AMSTERDAM AskOwlo was created by a small team that believes children deserve digital experiences that are thoughtful, beautiful and genuinely useful. We would love to hear from you. Send questions, feedback or story ideas to team@askowlo.com.