Write to read.

Built on the neuroscience of handwriting.

Write. Reflect. Grow.

How it works

From a child's first pencil to their first 900 words.

  1. Step 1.

    Write naturally.

    Your child grabs an Apple Pencil and writes a word, a sentence, or whatever's on their mind.

  2. Rumo turning a written sentence into a picture
    Step 2.

    See your words come alive.

    Rumo reads what they wrote and turns it into a picture. “I run after the beach ball” sprouts a tiny runner chasing a beach ball.

  3. Step 3.

    Build your first 900 words.

    Choose from standard word lists like Dolch, Tier2, or custom word lists. The default word list is 900 words that cover more than 90% of what children read and write in school.

Inside the kid app

Two modes. One notebook.

Rumo opens to a single notebook with two ways to use it. Creative Mode is a blank page where your child writes whatever’s on their mind. Learning Mode walks them through short, grade-appropriate lessons, one at a time.

Creative Mode

A blank notebook.

Open to an empty page. Your child writes whatever’s on their mind: a story they’re inventing, a feeling, a question. Sit beside them and prompt “what happens next?” Rumo draws what they write, instantly.

Learning Mode

Structured, by grade.

Short modules from 1st through 5th grade, each tuned to age-appropriate sight words and sentence structures. Kids work through one lesson at a time and the notebook fills up as they go.

1st2nd3rd4th5th

Why writing

Writing is one of the most powerful ways kids internalize what words mean.

Rumo is built around one idea: write every day and become a better reader. Comprehend the meaning of words with deliberative practice.

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The Rumo difference

Phonics teaches kids to decode. Writing teaches them to think.

The country that asks 1st graders to write the most also reads the best.
Japan · PIAAC 202390%of adults read at a functional level or above
United States · PIAAC 202372%of adults read at a functional level or above

Figure · 1st-grade writing time, weekly

In 1st grade, Japan spends roughly 18× more time writing than the US.

Japan, 1st gradekokugo, mostly handwriting~9 hrs/wkUnited States, 1st gradededicated writing instruction~30 min/wk
See the full research →

Built for both sides of the desk

Loved by parents. Chosen by schools.

For families

A reading habit you'll actually keep.

  • Fifteen minutes a day, side-by-side with your kid.
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For schools

An add-on to whatever literacy program you use.

  • Teacher view of every student's writing over time.
Learn more →

From the field

Students at a homeschool pilot wrote 1,000 sentences in just one hour.

Team

Built by educators and technologists from Stanford and MIT.

We are a team made up of educators and technologists from Stanford and MIT.

Read more about the team →

Questions

Common questions

What ages is Rumo for?

Rumo is built for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade — prompts adapt to each child's age and level — with a special focus on deaf and hard-of-hearing learners that phonics-first methods leave behind.

How long does each session take?

Five to fifteen minutes a day. The habit matters more than the length.

Is Rumo safe for children?

Yes. No ads, no public profiles, COPPA- and FERPA-aligned. Family and school dashboards keep adults in the loop.

Do you offer a family plan for multiple kids?

Yes. The Family plan covers up to 4 children in one household for $50/month or $500/year, about $12.50 per kid each month.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Every paid plan starts with a 7-day free trial. You can cancel anytime during the trial.

Grab the pencil.

Unlock your kid's imagination.

Built for learnersDesigned for growthTrusted by schools & families