FREE for a limited time – Montessori*  Letter Sounds for the iPhone/iPad, an app that focuses on teaching letter sounds. Based on the Montessori* method, Montessori* Letter Sounds has 4 levels: I Spy, Letter Sounds, Mix & Match, and Sound it Out. In “I Spy” (up to 3 years), kids identify sounds – at the beginning, at the end, and in the word. “Letter Sounds” helps kids (up to 4 years) memorize letter shapes & sounds. Kids trace the letter, watch how the letter is formed, then write it in the sand. The letter is identified by sound rather than by its name. After earning enough marbles, kids may go on to “Mix and Match” (from age 4) which combines hearing and seeing the letters. The final level is “Sound it Out”  (from age 4 1/2) which requires kids to write words with a moveable alphabet. The app also has a tool box which includes: the phonetic alphabet in script/cursive/upper case, a notebook for tracing the letters, the sandbox for learning how to write letters, and the image box to increase vocabulary. FYI – it is the short vowel sounds that are taught in this app and the sound for A is NOT the A as in apple/alligator/cat/ etc. It is more like a (the word) or the A at the end of toga. This app can be used by more than one child and can be switched to French.