Speech therapist Erica: "Readioo is a favorite among children with language disorders"

Speech therapist Erica Domeij has always preferred the analog way, in the form of physical books and live conversations, because children develop language best through interaction with others. At the same time, she understands the importance of children exploring technology in our time and sees that this can be done in many different ways, not just through screens in preschool. When she introduced Readioo to the business, she wasn't just pleasantly surprised by the results. She was impressed.

Erica started using Readioo's materials with children with language disorders and it quickly became a big favorite. The children call the reading pen "the magic pen" and come to her office voluntarily to ask if they can borrow it and read a book. They want to sit down for a while, browse the books and listen . For many children, it becomes a way to unwind and recharge their batteries. Especially for slightly older preschoolers, who have the patience to listen to entire stories, it works great to let them explore the material on their own.

“Readioo is a great complement to other language development work,” says Erica, who feels that the children become more active and exploratory when they use the reading pen. It often works well to read on a full screen, e.g. projector, as larger groups of children can see the entire spread throughout the reading session, but Erica feels that the children do not always follow the plot on a full screen. Readioo is a nice complement where the children are offered more interactive support. The text is read out page by page and the children are encouraged to tap on the pictures themselves, listen to the lines several times and discover sound effects that deepen their understanding of the content. This strengthens concentration, contributes to richer language development and makes it easier for them to follow the story. The fact that the children turn the pages themselves makes them more involved and engaged in the reading.

Erica works at a language preschool where staff density is high, but she is well aware that the conditions are different at many other preschools. She believes that Readioo can be a valuable support when resources are limited, for example in the event of illness or when the staff, for other reasons, does not have the opportunity to read individually with a child. In addition, Readioo can contribute in situations where staff speak Swedish with an accent, by giving children the opportunity to listen to fairy tales and words with correct pronunciation. This makes it easier for children to perceive and learn the Swedish language sounds. This creates a stimulating and engaging reading experience with a physical book even when an adult is not able to be present or fully master the language themselves.

One of the favorites is the books about Bamse and Pino . Children follow the stories in the correct order by tapping on the text from left to right and on the pictures to hear lines and sound effects. The combination of storytelling, interactivity and sound arouses both the children's desire to read and their curiosity. The sound effects are particularly impressive to Erica.

“They are much better than what I can imitate myself,” she says. The animal sounds, gurgling water and the click of the flashlight sound very realistic and contribute to the children's language comprehension as it reinforces the content and contributes to vocabulary learning for the different concepts in the book.

An adult is usually present when Readioo is used, which creates direct interaction with the children. The Letters book is particularly appreciated, which helps children learn letter sounds. Erica highlights that the book not only strengthens children's phonological awareness and supports the learning of sounds and letters, which is the basis for learning to read and write, but also serves as concrete support for educators.

– The book is well thought out, says Erica. It shows not only what to say but also how the sounds are produced in the mouth in an easy-to-understand way. I don't think the average educator reflects on this in everyday life, and here both children and adults have the opportunity to learn together. The illustrations are also beautiful, simple but with details that awaken the children's desire to explore and curiosity.

Erica also sees potential to further develop the material, for example by including short vowels, but she thinks the balance in the existing material is very well balanced.

Another strength she highlights is the opportunity to strengthen and expand children's vocabulary and concepts. In many of the books, children can tap on pictures for individual words and hear what they are called. In combination with conversations about the meaning of the words with an adult, language development is further strengthened. It becomes a bit like a point-and-click book where children tap on the words with the pen and have them read out.

And Erica's best tip?

– Talk to the children about what happens in the book, she says. Ask questions and relate to their own experiences connected to the content. This often sparks great conversations where language develops. Readioo enhances the reading experience with sound and interactivity and, in combination with dialogue with an adult, creates great conditions for the children's language development.