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A myriad of websites crammed with entertaining, yet educational reading tools are improving our children's chances at becoming good readers.

1. Starfall

Starfall's website is bright, imaginative, and the most extensive. According to Starfall, their website curriculum is designed primarily for the 1st grade, but pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and second grade students also benefit by using it. Their website was designed based on how kids use computers.

Features of Starfall:

• A download center for Teacher printouts.
• Click-able, interactive pictures of each letter in the English alphabet with corresponding audio.
• Click-able, interactive reading activities, such as a calendar or making a gingerbread man. These activities teach more than reading, such as learning the days of the week, or shapes. However, the words used in these activities, such as "gingerbread" or "grandparents", can be difficult to read for a beginning reader.
• One of the best features is the "Learn to Read Section" which uses rhyming pages to teach.
• The "I'm Reading" Section includes some easy to read stories reminiscent of "Dick and Jane", and some significantly more advanced stories for a child who has learned the basics already.
• Includes a parent letter full of advice.

2. Foniks

This website is well structured and organized. The program is phonics based.

Features of Foniks:

• Foniks is organized using a detailed chart of steps, beginning with vowel names, and progressing to harder reading concepts such as clusters and different spellings. The cluster steps include helpful rhyming words.
• Easy "mouse over" feature has instant sound.
• Uses the theme "Hear it, Say it, Trace it, Write it, Read it" with each letter.
• Encourages the student to guess what the word is before it is spoken audibly.
• No games or books.
• There is a printable writing practice worksheet.

3. First 55 Come Alive

Learntoreadfree.com focuses on 55 first words for a child to learn. While it is phonics based, it is also based on the Montessori approach of stimulating, hands-on activities that appeal to the five senses. Montessori's belief was that during the first 6 years of life intelligence is fashioned, so learning during that time is critical. As amazing as it sounds, the Montessori approach sells material for children as young as 18 months old.

• This site does make you sign up for the free lessons.
• Includes a game room with 6 games. Ducky Lat's matching game shows written words and a picture that the student must match.
• As a student completes a lesson, his or her progress is shown, and kept for future reference.
• Has a detailed "The Reading Game Handbook" overview for whoever is teaching the student

4. Government Resource Page

The government website Ed.gov encompasses many topics on education. Part of this site includes a section with reading resources that is directed towards the parent, or teacher, not the child. There are no games to play, or childrens on-line books. What there is, however, is a comprehensive, insightful website that shows you where to find them, and many other resources, tips and instructions for creative activities to do with your child offline.

• "Helping your Child become a Reader" is an excellent activity section. It is divided into age appropriate activities that are neatly laid out, including a list of needed items necessary to complete the activity.
• Has on-line books for the teacher
• Has an age appropriate reading checklist to maximize your child's time spent reading
• List resources such as children's books and magazines.

5. Kaboose (ages 3-6)

If your looking for fun games to sneak reading into your child's daily activities, try this site. If your child is over 6 years old, try Kaboose (for 6+).

Happy Reading!