Best Educational Apps for Toddlers To Preschoolers
One of the biggest struggles for 21st century parenting is how to balance technology usage for our children. While we don’t want to disadvantage them by not allowing them to gain the digital savvy nature of their generation, we also want them to go outside once and a while. Even further than that is what the kids do on the devices when they are using them. We want them to have fun, but we don’t want to turn their brain to mush with excessive YouTube. Balancing all of this at once is tough for parents but is important to persevere with. When used right, allowing our children to use these new technologies has so many benefits such as: improved language skills, improved visual attention, and improved problem-solving skills to name a few. This is where apps come in.
Educational Apps
Educational games and other apps are the perfect tool for your child to help them improve their digital skills and real world skills at the same time. These apps can offer all sorts of educational experience, improving reading, writing, or maths, while still being fun! It is important to mention that for children 2-5-years old screen time should be limited to 1 hour so that they can still grow in the real world. Parents should also sit with their children during this time to ensure that they can translate what they are doing into the real world.
1. Kindergo
Kindergo is an immersive reading app teaching your child how to read alongside a customisable explorer called Go-go. The app takes children on a journey across multiple islands, each with new books to explore. Your children will improve their reading skills all while having fun. Best of all the app is Australian made! While Kindergo does have a subscription cost, the first month is free so you can try it out and see if your kids love it.
2. Endless Alphabet
With over 100 words for your child to learn, and chock full of fun animations and learning games, we have Endless Alphabet. From successful developer Originator Inc. this game promises tons of fun while expanding their vocabulary. A big bonus for this app is that each element was designed to be beneficial to your child not stressful. So there are no high scores, time limits, or failures, allowing your child to learn at their own pace.
3. Endless Numbers
A follow up app to Endless Alphabet by Originator Inc, Endless Numbers is designed to take what Endless Alphabet does for literacy, and do it again for numbers. Teach your children number recognition, sequences, quantity and simple addition, all while they have fun. Plus, like Endless Alphabet this game was made for your child in mind. No high scores, time limits, or failures, meaning that learning is the priority.
4. Happy Valley Friends
Filled to the brim with 18 educational games, Happy Valley Friends is a must have app for your kindergarten aged child. Each game follows the Pre Kindy and Kindergarten curriculum, meaning that the app is perfect for children aged 2-5. Games include animated puzzles, matching games, catch game, tap the character game, and much more. All of this with no in app advertising or in-app purchases. Enjoy digital play time with your child with this app.
5. Writing Wizard
The most comprehensive word tracing app out as of now, Writing Wizard is an incredible app that can help your child learn how to write. With its in depth offerings, your child can learn how to correctly draw letters, upper and lower case, with different fonts, and even learn how to write words. The app offers word customisation for parents, meaning that you can control what words your child learns and even add new ones. As well as this your child will love this app with its fun animations, stickers, and sound effects. Another must have for any parent attempting to teach their child how to write, writing wizard will offer hours of educational fun.
6. Tongo Music
Winner of 2017 Parents Choice Gold Award comes Tongo Music. Designed by experienced music teachers and illustrators, Tongo Music takes your child on a musical adventure through the world of classical music. While featuring 15 high-quality music samples from famous composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and more. Your child will explore the app and learn through playing instruments, listening, and following the stories presented. Filled with colourful illustrations, and beautiful music, this app will bring the magic of music into your home.
7. Sago Mini Planes
A fun adventure filled app, Sago Mini Planes will take your child on an adventure around the world. Sago Mini Planes allows your child to pick a plane, then take flight with fun animal friends. They can fly to the beach, cool off in the arctic, weave through mountains and even fly into outer space! While not as educational as other apps, this app is a fun, flying adventure that your kids will love!
8. Artie’s Magic Pencil
A fun, interactive puzzle adventure game, Artie’s Magic Pencil will teach your child all about shapes and how they interact with each other. There’s a monster on the loose, and your child has to help save the day and rebuild the world by drawing shapes to solve problems. With over 25 different objects to draw, and a colourful child friendly world, your 3-6 year old will love playing this game.
9. Playtime With Dora The Explorer
Another app chock full of educational mini games, Playtime With Dora The Explorer will keep the kids entertained while helping them learn. Your child can play classic games like memory match, puzzles, and finding games. If your child is a huge fan of Dora they will love this app.
10. Tiny Robot Maker
Get those creative juices flowing with this creative robot maker app. Your child will love the funky art style as the work to build their dream robot. Featuring hundreds of pieces with thousands of possible combinations, your child will love the creative potential. If there are some robots that they are proud of, you can print it out, so they can take it with them into the real world.
11. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This stunning app brings to life the much loved book by Eric Carle. Your child can explore the world of the Very Hungry Caterpillar by playing with their very own caterpillar, raising it from an egg into a beautiful butterfly. Each day the app will surprise your child with new adventures and activities for them to do with their very hungry caterpillar.
12. ABC for Kids
Filled to the brim with ABC kids’ popular shows, your child can enjoy watching all their favourite shows, anywhere. With its advanced parental controls, parents can feel confident that their child won’t overuse the app or find content too old for them. Just like the channel ABC for Kids is free to use and access, however will use mobile data while on the go.
Conclusion
There are thousands of apps to keep your child entertained, but its important to look for quality educational experiences over mindless fun. With so much development happening in these early stages it is important to give your child as many head starts as possible. While excessive screen time can be bad, leaving your child without precious experiences that can only be formed outside, it is important to still include technology in their life. So sit down with your child for an hour each day with an iPad and enjoy the fun digital experiences with them.
Can’t get enough of Baby Org? Check out this post on reading with your baby!