What's a good read?
Amazon launched a new interactive learning feature for its Kids Plus service called Reading Sidekicks. It aims to help kids develop their reading skills and abilities by allowing them to read physical and digital books with Alexa while taking turns reading the books aloud to the digital assistant. This feature is geared to build reading confidence and nurture the love of reading of children.
The Reading Sidekicks works with hundreds of supported children’s books intended for ages 6 to 9 available at Amazon Kids+. This feature is available on a Kids Edition Echo device or an Echo device. It, however, requires an Amazon Kids+ subscription. The subscription fee is $2.99 a month. This subscription service provides access to thousands of kid-friendly books, educational apps and games, movies, TV shows and audible books.
Once you have the Amazon Kids subscription, using Reading Sidekicks is easy. First, you or your child just choose a book, whether a physical or digital copy of a book on their Echo Kids device or on the Amazon Kids App. When your child is ready to start reading, they can say “Alexa, let’s read” or “Alexa, open Reading Sidekick”. Alexa will then ask for the book’s title and ask if the child wants to read a little, a lot, or taking turns.
When it is the child’s turn to read, Alexa will give words of encouragement like “amazing job” or “way to stick with it” when the child is doing well. When the child is struggling and is having a hard time reading, Alexa will offer support, give the next word and help them continue. Reading with Alexa will help give the child a chance to practice reading and build their confidence in reading.
You can try Reading Sidekicks and Amazon Kids+ for a month for free.
