Digital storytelling also provides a compelling need to read and listen carefully and to write and edit effectively (Kolk). Furthermore, allowing students to listen to themselves read helps with mastering fluency as they can record themselves as many times as necessary. 

The five digital storytelling apps listed are age appropriate for 1st graders and all have a recording feature. Foundational writing skills are critical to the development of successful writers (Graham, Steve & MacArthur) and digital storytelling is an enriching and interactive way to help young writers learn these skills. 

References

Graham. Steve, MacArthur, C. A., & Hebert, M. (2019). Best practices in writing instruction (Third Edition ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Kolk, M., & Creative Educator. Digital storytelling in the primary classroom. Retrieved from https://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/2018/articles/digital-storytelling-in-the-primary-classroom

Pictello Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://assistive.co.nz/product/pictello/

Riley, S. (2017). Kid in story book maker. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.educationalappstore.com/app/kid-in-story-book-maker

Spencer, R. (2024). Puppet pals HD. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.educationalappstore.com/app/puppet-pals-hd

Storyjumper Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.storyjumper.com/

Toontastic 3D Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://toontastic-3d.en.softonic.com/android

Pictello helps to support literacy skills by supporting reading with word-by-word text highlighting. It also develops writing and spelling with built-in word prediction and Speak as You Type. Another feature, Wizard Mode, includes auditory instruction and playing back what’s been written.

Kid in Story Book Maker has a text and speech feature. This allows students to easily type in text and add speech. Students can tap to hear the speech read more than once per page to listen to what they wrote and edit any necessary changes.

Toontastic 3D inspires imagination through storytelling and imagination. It has a recording button for students to read and record their stories. After they have listened to what they wrote, students can edit and play back to verify their corrections.

Puppet Pals HD is a cartoon creation app. It allows children to develop their creative skills and create their own animations using a variety of themes and characters.

Puppet Pals HD also has a voice and movement recording button. Students are able to record their voices as the puppets of the show. Additionally, students can work on voice projection and expression for the different puppets they create by focusing on how to articulate punctuation marks.

Storyjumper also has a voice narration feature that allows students to record themselves reading each page. Students can play back the recording to listen to themselves and check their fluency and to correct any spelling mistakes. Finished books can be uploaded in Storyjumper for students around the world to read and listen to.