App Name: Lola’s ABC Free, Lola’s Alphabet Train

Cost: Free-$2.99

What does it promise? Lola’s Alphabet Train Lite promises a fun way to get children to not only practice their alphabet, but develop their reading skills as well. It promises rewards in make believe coins that children can use to purchase make believe items throughout the entire game.

Does it deliver? Yes this app gear towards ages 3-8 is a pretty effective way for children to practice their alphabet and reading skills. The journey starts with Lola as she travels to her friend’s house to deliver a present. However, much like an episode of Dora The Explorer, she needs help to get her there. Children need to identify letters and arrange them to make words depicted by photos. This helps children learn the letters of the alphabet while helping them formulate words by arranging the letters in the appropriate manner. What is very effective is Lola’s pronunciation of the letter that allows children to sound words out by the sounds the letters make. It may be an overlooked feature but it’s very useful in this sense.

Can I use it in my classroom? This app can be used in a preschool-kindergarten classroom. If teachers are looking for an easy way to make learning the alphabet and simple words fun, they can use this app as a very effective shortcut. This app will get students engaged and also get them excited to learn, the only conflict may come when deciding which child gets to spend the imaginary coins.

App Review by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor.

April 10, 2015