Is Songbird Reader free?
Yes, completely. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases. It's a family project made for Yuvan, shared with everyone.
Who is it for?
Children from Kindergarten to Grade 5, especially autistic children and others who learn well with music, repetition and calm, predictable design. Many children who are not autistic enjoy it too.
Is it a therapy or a treatment?
No. It's a reading-practice tool, not a medical or therapy program. It works well alongside your child's school, speech therapy and other support.
Why does the voice sound like a computer?
Until each song is recorded by a real singer, the app uses your device's built-in voice in a gentle sing-song style, with music underneath. Real sung recordings are being added song by song. For a more natural voice now, download an Enhanced or Premium English voice in your device settings (iPhone, iPad, Mac: Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Voices).
What data do you collect?
None. There are no accounts and no tracking. Names, stars and settings are stored only on your device. See Privacy.
Does it work offline?
Yes. After the first visit, install it to your home screen and it works without the internet.
Which devices work?
Any recent phone, tablet or computer with a modern browser: Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Tablets are a lovely size for little hands.
How do we keep progress safe?
On the Who is reading? screen, save a backup file. Load it on a new device to carry on.
How long is a lesson?
About 10 to 20 minutes for the eight steps. The song is heard twice, sung three times and read once, because repetition is what builds reading. You can stop any time: the home screen shows Keep going at the same step.
When does my child get a certificate?
As soon as they finish all eight steps of a song and its egg hatches. Every finished song has its own certificate, which you can print from the reward screen, from My songs or from the grown-ups progress page.
Do we have to use the microphone?
No. Without it your child still sings along and finishes every step; they just don't get singing medals. If you allow it, the sound is checked on the device to compare notes and is never recorded or sent anywhere.
Is this TUNE into READING?
No. Yuvan used TUNE into READING, and it helped him. Songbird Reader is a separate, independent project with its own original songs, inspired by what singing did for him. We are not connected to Electronic Learning Products or Sing Out and READ.
Can we suggest a song or report a problem?
Please do: email yuvanautismhelp@gmail.com. Favourite animals, places and topics make great songs.