Ranking updated
Apps that teach kids to read
Most reading apps for children teach English, so for Ukrainian you need a different shortlist. ABV Chytaika teaches reading by syllables and picture puzzles from age four. Kit, pryvit! goes from the alphabet to syllables with a cat as the guide. Chytailyk focuses on one syllable at a time, voices every syllable and word, and has a stats page for parents. For English, Duolingo ABC covers the alphabet, phonics and sight words.
How we chose: apps that teach children to read, on the App Store, with features and the language of the lessons taken from each app’s store description. No lesson counts, ratings or user counts.
ABV Chytaika: syllables and picture puzzles
ABV Chytaika is made to teach children from four to read in Ukrainian. It is built on syllables and picture puzzles: the child sounds out the syllables of different words in an interactive way, with dozens of games and activities around them. The maker’s site adds materials for parents about child development, short fairy tales and offline activities to reinforce what was learned.
Kit, pryvit!: from letters to syllables
Kit, pryvit! introduces the Ukrainian alphabet with a cat as the host, then moves to reading by syllables step by step, without pressure. The games include catching the letter the cat names, matching a letter to its shadow, finding words that start with a given letter, reading by syllables up to the first Ukrainian words, and telling printed and handwritten letters apart, all with voice guidance.
Chytailyk: one syllable at a time
Chytailyk teaches reading by syllables with interactive lessons that go from simple syllables to whole words, focusing on one syllable at a time. Every syllable and word is voiced so the child hears how to read it, and you can change text size, colours and background. Levels, crystals as rewards and a character the child creates keep it playful, and a parents’ page shows reading stats by day and level.
Duolingo ABC for English
Duolingo ABC teaches reading in English from preschool to second grade with bite-sized lessons on the alphabet, phonics, sight words and vocabulary, letter tracing and interactive stories that read words aloud and highlight each one. It suits a child who already reads a little in Ukrainian and starts English. For older readers, see reading apps.
| App | Best for | Highlights | Lessons in |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABV ChytaikaApp Store | syllables from age four | syllables and picture puzzles, dozens of games, extra materials on the maker’s site | Ukrainian |
| Kit, pryvit!App Store | from the alphabet to syllables | cat guide, catch the letter, letter shadows, words on a letter, printed and handwritten letters | Ukrainian |
| ChytailykApp Store | one syllable at a time | voiced syllables and words, text size and colour settings, progress levels, stats for parents | Ukrainian |
| Duolingo ABCApp Store | English phonics | alphabet, phonics, sight words, letter tracing, interactive stories | English |
Frequently asked questions
Which app teaches a child to read in Ukrainian?
ABV Chytaika, Kit, pryvit! and Chytailyk all teach reading in Ukrainian through letters and syllables, with voiced lessons and games.
From what age can a child use these apps?
ABV Chytaika is made for children from four, and Kit, pryvit! starts with the alphabet for the youngest. Duolingo ABC covers preschool to second grade.
Can parents follow progress?
Yes in Chytailyk, which has a parents’ page with reading stats by day and level.