Category: Kids’ Apps
Apps and the Part-time Homeschooler
I have, on occasion, considered homeschooling. I believe that an education is most powerful when kids can learn by following their own interests, and also by putting their learning into use. I also think that our traditional classroom environments stifle kids’ creativity and their nature curiosity. But, for now, and for our family, the benefits of the public education system outweighs the benefits of switching. That doesn’t mean that I leave all of their learning for the classroom, though. We focus at home on topics that are lacking in their current school day. And using apps is a great way to integrate fun into the learning process, as well as to help with subjects that I either don’t know or don’t feel confident teaching alone.
I was asked awhile back to do a compensated campaign with Verizon Educational Tools, an app and subscription service that helps parents find quality apps and video to support and reinforce subjects, as well as to help with organization and time management. While this is not the only resource available to parents who are looking for great apps, it ties nicely in with the idea of using the technology you already have in the home to enhance your kids’ learning, especially if you, like me are a “part-time homeschooler.”
Grab the Goodies to Educate About Underage Alcohol Consumption (Review)
As part of the back to school season, I’m on the lookout for tech and tools to help families have a healthy and productive school year. When the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR) asked me to take a look at a new educational app designed to help kids ages 6-9 learn about the dangers of underage alcohol consumption, I knew it was a great match. It’s hard to know when and how to start talking to your kids about alcohol Grab the Goodies is meant to help you kick start the conversation and get kids thinking about making healthy choices.
Verizon Educational Tools & a Fun Twitter Party
It’s not easy finding educational apps for your kids. The app stores are chock-full of choices, but which ones are quality? Which ones aren’t? Verizon set out to help its customers make choices with Verizon Educational Tools. The app includes reviews on a wide range of educational app and video options, as rated by educators an parents. They are broken down by grade, subject, and Common Core standards. There are also special offers and discounts for Verizon customers.
App Review: The Book of Holes
I love a quirky app. Why be boring? The Book of Holes by Poul Lange fits the bill. This interactive e-book from Chocolate Factory Publishing is strange and beautiful and silly and fun.
Monsters University Storybook Deluxe App Review
Do you have career aspirations to be a Scarer? Always wanted a job at Monsters, Inc.? Well, then, you’re in luck. Disney Digital Books invites you to enroll at Monsters University in their new app Monsters University Storybook Deluxe for iOS. Start out by taking a picture and making your own custom student ID. Will you be scary? Silly? It’s up to you. Then you’ll have to declare your major and select a fraternity or sorority (hint: Mike and Sulley join Oozma Kappa…).
Creating with Crayola DigiTools Deluxe Pack
As tablets rise in popularity with kids, we’re seeing more and more accessories designed just for them. One example are the DigiTools sets from Crayola for the iPad. I’ve had my eye on these for awhile, but we recently received a review set from Verizon Wireless so we could try them out at home.
Dr. Panda, Teach Me! App Review
When I’m looking for an app for young kids, I prefer one that is colorful, playful and educational, but with an open-ended, unscripted component. Little kids learn by exploration, not just by rote memorization. fits the bill in that regard. The app invites kids to explore a number of different scenes, such as a farm and jungle. Each one has animals and objects to click on and interact with. Kids can then delve deeper by selecting an educational game to play. The games are age appropriate and include memory, comparison, counting, and puzzle activities.
Ellison the Elephant iPad App Review
Ellison the Elephant is a heartfelt e-story about a young elephant who finds his unique voice with the help of an unexpected friend. It’s a familiar theme, written in a new way with beautiful illustrations and a nicely narrated audio component. You can take it at your own pace or have it set to “auto play.” And another nice option is that you can read it yourself, while still enjoying the added sound bytes from some of the illustrations when you tap on them.