Choosing Between Hooked on Phonics vs ABC mouse: A Parent’s Guide
ABCmouse and Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read are standout early childhood learning programs known for their high quality. Packed with interactive games, stories, videos, and effective phonics learning, both platforms provide an engaging and educational experience for kids. Embraced by homeschooling and enrichment-seeking families worldwide, these digital learning supplements have garnered passionate advocacy online. Given their popularity, parents often face difficulty choosing between these two paid programs. To assist parents in making an informed decision, we’ve conducted a thorough comparison between Hooked on Phonics vs ABC mouse across various criteria, aiming to help them select the program that best suits their child’s needs.
Hooked on Phonics Overview
Originating in 1987 and gaining recognition in the mid-1990s with the memorable phone number 1-800-ABCDEFG and the tagline “Hooked on Phonics worked for me!,” Hooked on Phonics has evolved from a book-based program to a comprehensive learning system. Utilizing phonics, it engages children in reading through scaffolded stories. Over the years, it expanded its offerings to include a CD-ROM for computers, and today, it encompasses a range of tools such as books, music, videos, computer games, flash cards, and a mobile app.
Advantages:
- Absence of disruptive or unsafe advertisements
- A $1 trial for a comprehensive 30-day period, encompassing all physical materials
- Mobile application accessible on up to three devices, even in offline mode
- Cost-effective monthly subscription
- Embraces the phonics approach to facilitate effective teaching
Drawbacks:
- Limited to only three child profiles
- Potential necessity for parental involvement in monitoring progress
ABCMouse Overview
Established in 2007, ABCMouse, though not as seasoned as Hooked on Phonics, boasts a broader spectrum of subjects. Geared towards children aged 2-7, it provides an extensive online learning platform featuring games, puzzles, videos, and more. The platform includes a parent dashboard for progress monitoring. ABC Mouse can also help with reading and stands out for catering to diverse learning styles, employing a curriculum designed by professional educators. With a variety of activities, it ensures engagement for every child, accommodating different instructional preferences. Parental involvement is encouraged to navigate challenging sections, and progress can be tracked at varying grade levels based on a child’s abilities in different subjects.
Advantages:
- Complimentary trial available
- Absence of advertisements or external content
- Individual profiles and tailored curriculum
- Unlimited device access
- Parental dashboard facilitating progress tracking
Drawbacks:
- Incurs a monthly subscription fee
- Restricted to only three child profiles
Side by Side Comparison of Hooked on Phonics vs ABC mouse
Both of these programs come with many different things, but they are so different that it’s easy to see which one is better in each category. You can quickly figure out which one you prefer.
Features
Both ABCmouse and the Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read app serve as digital supplements for early childhood learning. Both impressed us with their extensive learning content and features for both parents and children. ABCmouse Early Learning Academy is a comprehensive program covering core subjects like reading, language, math, science, social studies, and art. With over 10,000 activities, including videos, lessons, songs, games, 850 lessons, 1500 printable worksheets, and a library of 450+ books, it provides a robust learning experience.
On the other hand, Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read is a standards-aligned reading program offering over 250 lessons, games, videos, songs, and a library of 100+ ebooks. Additionally, it provides optional physical practice packs as a subscription, featuring workbooks, stickers, and 2-3 storybooks, creating a dynamic blend of digital and physical learning.
Safety
When it comes to online tools for my child, safety is a top priority, and I prefer no exposure to anything risky or annoying ads. Both Hooked on Phonics and ABC Mouse provide fully contained apps, ensuring that once you set up your child’s profile, they won’t encounter external content, materials, or ads.
With Hooked on Phonics, the app is secure, preventing any unwanted clicks, and its professional appearance instills confidence without being overly spammy. ABC Mouse is also COPPA-compliant, guaranteeing no ads or links to outside content. The app is fully self-contained, and a special code is required to access the parent section, allowing children to learn and play in a safe, controlled environment.
Pricing
ABCmouse and Hooked on Phonics have similar structures on pricing, offering flexible monthly and discounted annual subscriptions. As of now, the Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read app is priced at around $6.99 per month. If bundled with physical practice packs, the cost can go up to $12.99 per month, including shipping and handling.
ABCmouse, on the other hand, is priced at $12.99 per month on a month-to-month basis. Both programs also provide yearly subscriptions, with ABCmouse at about $59.99 per year and Hooked on Phonics at about $49.99 for the app alone. While neither option is overly expensive, Hooked on Phonics tends to be somewhat more budget-friendly than ABCmouse overall, especially when considering optional physical practice packs, a unique feature not offered by ABCmouse.
Age Range
Both ABCmouse and the Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read app target early childhood learning up to the end of grade 2. The Hooked on Phonics age range is for pre-K-2, catering to kids aged 3-8, teaching phonics and pre-reading skills.
In contrast, ABCmouse is geared towards preschool (around age 2) to grade 2, featuring a curriculum covering letters, colors, basic numbers, and more, extending its learning to a slightly younger age group than Hooked on Phonics. Additionally, ABCmouse seamlessly transitions to Adventure Academy, a learning app designed for kids aged 8-13, offering enhanced curriculum support beyond elementary school and providing a natural progression for parents and children who have completed ABCmouse.
Mobile App
The Hooked on Phonics app stands out as highly impressive. Subscribers receive reading materials monthly, but it’s the app that truly enhances the value of the subscription, offering remarkable convenience. Games and activities, once opened by your child, automatically become available offline, allowing them to engage in reading practice even without internet access. This is particularly handy during moments like waiting at the doctor’s office without Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, ABC Mouse lacks offline access to your child’s progress, but Age of Learning, ABC Mouse’s parent company, has other offline programs, potentially accessible through your ABCMouse subscription—further exploration is recommended for more details. Despite this, the ABC Mouse app is well-designed, user-friendly, and visually appealing, although some may find Hooked on Phonics to be superior in ease of use. ABC Mouse excels in regularly updating its displays to reflect the current season.
What About Reading Head Start vs Hooked on Phonics?
Reading Head Start stands out by emphasizing phonemic awareness, aiding children in forming strong connections between sounds and letters before delving into word construction. In contrast, Hooked on Phonics takes a different approach, focusing on instilling an interest in reading and breaking down the task into manageable steps. Reading Head Start is tailored for children aged 3-8, while Hooked on Phonics is designed for those aged 4-8. Despite both systems aiming to teach the fundamentals of reading, they differ sufficiently to accommodate students with specific needs or preferences.
Assess Hooked on Phonics vs ABC Mouse for the Best Learning Software
Parents, if you’re seeking top-notch early childhood learning programs, the choice between ABCmouse and Hooked on Phonics can be challenging. Each offers unique advantages, from engaging content and safety features to pricing structures. Assess your child’s age range and learning preferences to determine the best fit. Whether it’s phonics-focused Hooked on Phonics or the versatile ABC Mouse, these programs pave the way for a strong educational foundation. Take the next step in your child’s learning journey with confidence!
