Children's education for reading, writing & math kids actually love.
TaleTykes is edtech for digital children's books, literacy, and K-6 math — one safe place with grown-ups in control and real progress everyone can see.
The reading crisis is real
NAEP scores just hit a 30-year low. Millions of kids were taught to guess — not decode.
2 in 3
4th graders are not reading proficiently
40%
read below the basic level — a record low (2024)
4×
more likely to not finish high school
Lowest
national reading scores in over 30 years
Millions of kids were taught to guess words from pictures and context — not to decode them. The science of reading says that was a mistake.
Three-cueing: guess the word
- Picture: What might this word be from the image?
- Context: What word would make sense in the sentence?
- First letter: What word starts like that?
Science of reading: sound it out
- ✓Sounds: Map letters to speech sounds.
- ✓Blend: Put sounds together left to right.
- ✓Read: Decode unfamiliar words on their own.
TaleTykes pairs leveled stories with read-aloud and phonics support — so practice matches what the science says works.
See the full pictureReading below basic, by year
Share of U.S. 4th graders scoring below the basic reading level.
Where 4th graders read today
2024 reading levels — only 31% are proficient or above.
- Below basic40%
- At basic29%
- Proficient23%
- Advanced8%
Source: NAEP — The Nation's Report Card, U.S. Dept. of Education (Grade 4 Reading).
The math gap is widening
Most 4th graders still aren't proficient — and foundations lost in the pandemic haven't fully recovered.
3 in 5
4th graders are not math proficient (2024)
24%
score below NAEP Basic — up 5 pts since 2019
39%
at or above Proficient (still below 2019)
23–54%
proficient rate range across states
Why daily practice matters
Number sense and fluency compound every year. Students who get consistent, adaptive practice close gaps faster than cramming before a test.
- ✓Mastery bands track what each learner actually knows
- ✓Prerequisites unlock the next skill at the right time
- ✓Spaced review brings skills back before they fade
Below basic, by year
Share of U.S. 4th graders scoring below NAEP Basic in mathematics.
Where 4th graders stand in math
2024 math levels — only 39% are proficient or above.
- Below basic24%
- At basic37%
- Proficient30%
- Advanced9%
Source: NAEP — The Nation's Report Card, U.S. Dept. of Education (Grade 4 Mathematics, 2024).
Three skills, one happy place
Every subject adapts to your child - and stays safe by default.
Reading
Stories matched to each reader, with read-aloud and comprehension checks.
Writing
Guided drafting and feedback that keeps a child's own voice.
Math
Adaptive practice that levels up with mastery and smart review.
Built for every learning setting
TaleTykes works for a single child at home or a full school program, without changing the core experience.
One shared system across 4 role views, from the kitchen table to the district office.
Schools & classrooms
Teachers assign work, monitor mastery, and share records with school leaders.
ExploreHomeschool
Parents get daily structure, parent-led pacing, and portfolio exports for records.
ExploreAfter-school & tutoring
Mixed-age groups can start quickly and hand progress back to families.
ExploreDistricts & multi-site programs
Admins see usage, moderation, and reporting across every school or site.
ExploreHow the learning engine adjusts
Practice is chosen from what each learner has mastered, what needs review, and what is ready next.
- 1
Mastery bands
Skills move from new to developing, proficient, and mastered from real attempts.
- 2
Prerequisites first
The next skill unlocks only when the foundation is ready.
- 3
Spaced review
Review returns before learning fades, then stretches as confidence grows.
- 4
Reachable next steps
Recent struggle lowers difficulty so practice stays useful, not frustrating.
Built so grown-ups can relax
Safety, control, and shared records come standard - on every plan.
Adults in control
Invite-only access, approval queues, and parent controls.
Always safe
Every story is moderated before a child ever sees it.
Real records
Families, teachers, and schools share the same progress data.
Guides on children's books, edtech & literacy: TaleTykes Learn
Frequently asked questions
- What is TaleTykes?
- TaleTykes is a children's education and edtech platform for reading, writing, and math. It combines digital children's books, adaptive practice, and grown-up controls for families, homeschool, classrooms, after-school programs, and districts.
- Does TaleTykes include children's books?
- Yes. TaleTykes offers a leveled digital children's book library with read-aloud, comprehension checks, and phonics-friendly reading options matched to each child's level.
- What ages is TaleTykes for?
- TaleTykes supports learners roughly ages 3 through 17, with parent or school oversight. Reading, writing, and math content adapts to each child's mastery level.
- Is TaleTykes safe for kids?
- Child-facing stories and images are moderated before display. Parents and schools control accounts, AI features, and sharing. TaleTykes does not show ads or sell children's data.
- Can schools use TaleTykes as edtech?
- Yes. Teachers assign work, monitor mastery, and share progress with school leaders. District plans include admin reporting and volume pricing without replacing your existing curriculum.
- How much does TaleTykes cost?
- Family plans start at $9.99 per month for up to two children. Teacher and district pricing is available on the pricing page, with school plans from about $8 per student per year.
Ready to make learning a joy?
Set up your space and invite your learners in minutes.