Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time in exchange for my honest review.
My kid is an excellent reader. I was one of the lucky parents with a mostly self taught early reader that was also gifted. I never had the struggles of some parents with reading and it was hard to engage in “How do you teach kids to read?” conversations with others. But as a blogger, when the questions arise, you want to be able to offer helpful advice. Well, this is one of those times I can contribute to the discussion. I’d like to offer for your consideration, BuddyBooks!
BuddyBooks by ObjectiveEd, uses technology to improve your neurodiverse learner’s reading. Implementation is simple. Using a computer (PC, Mac, or Chromebook ) and a microphone (either external or built in), you can have your child learn to not only read better but enjoy it as well by reading in tandem with the program. As the teacher/parent, log in to BuddyBooks and add your readers to the dashboard. Then choose your reading material, either from their curated material or from a linked BookShare Account. Have your readers log in to their student accounts, and begin. First, the computer reads, and then your child. While your child reads – the program listens. Later, log back in to the parent/teacher account and see how they are progressing.
But, What’s BookShare?
So, the only problem I ran into while reviewing BuddyBooks by ObjectiveEd was my lack of access to BookShare, a free program with over a million books available in ebook or audiobook format to those with a learning or visual barrier to reading. Unlimited access to BookShare is free for qualified U.S. Students, Schools, and Libraries. BookShare combined with BuddyBooks, makes the ObjectiveEd experience even better because of the titles available to read.
Not having access to BookShare did not diminish our experience with the program and we could still borrow a few titles from BookShare to use with BuddyBooks. If you have a learner with a diagnosed reading impairment, such as Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, Vision Impairment or Autism, you are going to love BuddyBooks and if you don’t already have one, can get a letter of diagnosis to receive access to BookShare from a therapist, doctor, teacher, or even a librarian.
Need your child screened for reading impairment? BuddyBooks offers a money-back guarantee on the cost of a NeuroLearning app screening for parents who purchase the BuddyBooks program. The screen takes 45 minutes and if the child is not eligible for BookShare, BuddyBooks will refund the $50 fee for the screening. If your child IS eligible, they would access to the entire BookShare library at no cost until they are 18. BookShare books can be accessed from within the BuddyBooks program by entering the BookShare username and password.
Learn move about this offer at https://www.ObjectiveEd.com/neurolearning
So, even without BookShare, how did we use BuddyBooks?
I knew when starting the review, that Cash would not qualify for any additional services due to previous cognitive testing. Even so, a child with Hyperlexia can still use BuddyBooks and see marked benefits. This review was definitely for parents needing help in this area, but even a great reader can use improvement.
We used BuddyBooks to pinpoint reading materials that my son would not normally read on his own. Using his Mensa Excellence in Reading Booklist, I was able to connect to a few classic works on BookShare even without full access and chose “Little House on the Prairie”. Why this book? Considering it was written by Laura Ingalks Wilder in the 1930s, I knew that both the subject matter, language, and text might be difficult for him even though he was more than capable of reading the book by himself. This was a book I would have read with him, but I let BuddyBooks do the job instead.
The first thing I noticed about Cash reading “Little House” was the amount of time it took him to complete the readings. For a kid that fits through text, it was an ah ha moment that made me realize that he might not have a clear understanding of what he was reading. From the Parent Dashboard I could see what he progress on the book was, see a Phonemes score, his Total Accuracy, Words Correct per Minute, and review his score between passages. Want to hear something shocking? I had no idea my country boy did not know what Molasses were! That was another win for a period piece and another thumbs up for BuddyBooks.
Needless to say, we will continue to use the program. Good resources are simply good resources, even if they aren’t made specifically with your child in mind. Sometimes it’s all in how you use them. BuddyBooks also give my child a chance to practice his oral reading skills with me being his reading partner. I can have him log in and I can work on lesson plans or other household tasks. He still gets in monitored reading that I can review at my convenience. And BuddyBooks will be constantly adding new books outside of BookShare.
I’ll repeat myself – If you have a child with a reading impairment- GET THIS! For an investment of $199 I believe that you will find this resource to be a priceless addition to your homeschool. If you sign up for BuddyBooks using our unique code, receive $100 off!
@Mamasweetbaby 
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