For many families, reading time isn’t always the calm, cosy moment it’s meant to be.
For some children, it can feel frustrating, slow or even overwhelming – turning what should be a simple bedtime story or homework task into a daily challenge.
That’s where new technology is aiming to make a difference.
The e-pens explore scanner has been developed to support families, helping children engage with words in a way that feels more accessible and less stressful. By scanning text and reading it aloud instantly, the company says it allows children to focus on understanding what they’re reading rather than struggling to decode every word.
And for parents, that could make a real difference at home.
From frustration to confidence
The story behind the technology is rooted in real-life experience.
Co-founder Jack Churchill OBE, who grew up in Wiltshire and has dyslexia, understands just how challenging reading can be. Together with university friend Toby Sutton OBE, he set out to create tools that would support children who learn differently.
Their work led to the creation of Empowering Tech, including brands such as Scanning Pens and Succeed with Dyslexia. In 2024, they launched e-pens as a way of bringing this kind of support more directly to families at home.
Making homework easier (for everyone)
For many parents, supporting reading at home can be one of the trickiest parts of family life.
The e-pens explore scanner is designed to help ease that pressure. The company says children can work more independently, listening as they read and building confidence without constant one-to-one help.
It could help turn a tense homework session into something calmer and more manageable.
According to e-pens, this approach can support improved comprehension, better focus and a boost in confidence. They say children who feel more capable are more likely to engage with books, worksheets and revision materials.
Growing with your child
As children get older and school demands increase, the same tool is intended to support them.
Whether it’s tackling more complex texts, revising for exams or managing larger workloads, e-pens says having instant access to spoken support can make learning feel more manageable.
It also aims to help children build independence – something many parents are keen to encourage.
A different way to discover stories
At a time when screens dominate so much of daily life, there’s also a wider message behind the product.
The company says it wants to encourage children to move away from endless scrolling and reconnect with books, stories and learning in a more meaningful way.
With tools like this, reading can start to feel less like a task and more like an experience – something to explore, enjoy and even share as a family.
