Technology is a powerful tool in the classroom and ebooks in particular can be of great benefit to children learning to read.

Dr Jeni Riley, a reader of literacy in primary education from the Institute of Education, said they help to engage, encourage and motivate children.

The print is highlighted as the story is read to them, which enables youngsters to make connections between the written and spoken word, she explained.

"There are also other functions that the kids can get in to, words can be explained if they are not sure of the meaning. There are other functions … the kids can learn little spelling games and they have got sound letter association games," Dr Riley commented.

Although ebooks can never replace paper books, it is just another aspect of learning that can help to motivate children, she added.

Speaking last year, Sharon Patterson, manager of the Infant Learning Company, said parents must make an effort to expose their children to written language as early as possible.

Written by Donal Walsh

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