Intro to Letters
An app developed by Montesori educators at Montessorium, Intro to Letters is based on the Montessori activity Sand Paper Letters. This approach relies on multisensory approaches (i.e., sight, sound, and touch) to teach letters. This app is designed to teach children to trace, read, write and record letter sounds, names, and phonograms, based on the proven methodology of Montessori.
As described by the developers, this app can be used to teach: letters from a-z; lowercase letter symbols and their sounds (phonics); phonograms – writing and pronunciation; capital letters – letter names, writing and pronunciation; consonants and vowels; and fine motor skills. The app allows children to record themselves as they say the letters of the alphabet. The app operates in two modes. The first allows the user to practice specific letters; the second isolates small groups of letters or phonograms.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
On October 13, 2011, Erin Sheldon wrote the following post on the QIAT listserv:
We like Montessorium. In practice mode, you can see the whole alphabet and choose the letter you want to focus on. It requires the child to write the letter the way the arrows indicate. It can be frustrating for kids with more significant fine motor issues if they can’t steady to finger to get it “right” or if they are impatient and try to skip ahead. Kids have to be intentional and get it right before they move on.