📚 Reading apps and reading coaches · 🧸 Early learning (ages 2-6) · 🏫 Classroom tools
This Reading Mama
By Becky Spence (This Reading Mama, LLC). Visit This Reading Mama
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A blog by a former teacher with hands-on printables for learning to read and spell: alphabet activities, phonics games, sight words, spelling, writing and help for struggling readers, plus some Bible-themed pages. Parents and teachers print the pages for kids to cut, sort, play and read. The paid Library membership gathers her printables in one place, adds exclusive and digital resources, and gives half off her shop.
Our take: A useful printable source for parents and teachers of beginning readers; families who dislike ad-heavy sites may prefer the paid library.
| Ages it suits | about 3-9 (preschool to early grades); the site is for adults |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | The privacy policy says anyone under 16 should not use the website, comment or subscribe to newsletters without a parent's permission. (terms) |
| Price | Free, with paid extras. Many free printables; The Library membership is $12 a month or $120 a year; single products sold in her shop, on Etsy and on Teachers Pay Teachers (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | Web |
| Account | A parent's account |
| Ads | Yes |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | No AI. |
What's good
- Lots of free, hands-on phonics printables
- Off-screen activities for little kids
- Low monthly price for the full library
Watch for
- Free pages sit among display ads and tracking
- Affiliate links
- Some content is religious, which not every family wants
- Adult-facing; nothing for a child to do online
Data and privacy
The privacy policy says the site uses Raptive to place ads (Raptive collects data for advertising), plus Google Analytics, a Facebook pixel and Amazon affiliate links. Newsletter sign-ups store a name and email. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No studies found. The maker's own claims only: she is a former teacher with an M.Ed. who makes hands-on reading activities.
In the Big Index
- On the list 18 best free printables and worksheet sites
Alternatives to This Reading Mama
Desk researchPaidNo ads
ABCmouse
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages about 2-6 (preschool to kindergarten)
A full preschool program for families who want one paid app; cancel carefully and watch the reward loop.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ABCya
ABCya.com LLC (a division of IXL Learning) · ages about 4-12 (pre-K to grade 6+)
Handy for quick grade-level practice in class or at home; skip if you want an ad-free experience without paying.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Adventure Academy
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages grades 3-8 (about 8-13)
Good for kids who love online games and need a nudge toward school subjects; families wanting no social contact should set chat to off or choose a solo app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard
Amazon · ages 3-12
A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
AmblesideOnline
AmblesideOnline (volunteer advisory) · ages about 5-18 (Year 0 to Year 12)
A strong free plan for homeschool families drawn to Charlotte Mason and literature-rich learning; secular families or those wanting an interactive program should look elsewhere.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Amira Learning
Amira Learning · ages about 5-14 (school product; listed studies run from kindergarten to middle school)
Worth asking about if your child's school uses it; parents cannot buy it, so home users should look at family apps instead.
Where these facts come from
- https://thisreadingmama.com/
- https://thisreadingmama.com/welcome/disclosure-privacy-policy/
- https://library.thisreadingmama.com/
- https://library.thisreadingmama.com/faq/
- https://library.thisreadingmama.com/register/the-library/
- https://library.thisreadingmama.com/register/the-library-yearly/
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.