Children are adapting to new technologies at the speed of light. According to a recent study, 52 percent of all children up to age eight now have access to a smartphone, video iPod, iPad or other tablet device. More than a quarter of parents have downloaded apps for their children to use. There are thousands of apps available, so how can you know which ones are age-appropriate and truly help your children brush up on their skills or learn something new?
CAPS suggests parents take the time to research the apps they download for their children and be sure to monitor the apps children download themselves. Appolicious and Yahoo! Education have numerous lists of the best educational apps, ranging in subject matter and age levels. Another website that can assist in sorting through the dizzying number of choices out there is IEAR.org. The site is a collection of educational app reviews by teachers and students, how-to tips and a weekly podcast. Teachers with Apps is a review site compiled by two experienced teachers that also breaks down what’s available to parents and teachers. Common Sense Media, a non-profit that reviews media for children, has an entire section dedicated to reviewing educational apps. Reviews include age recommendations and details on apps’ educational value, ease of use, and level of violence, sex, language, consumerism, alcohol and drugs and safety.
As always, your children’s teachers are another great resource for navigating the host of options out there. Talk to them about which apps they use in the classroom or which ones might best complement the subject matter they’re currently teaching. New mobile technology can be a fun, new way to help your children learn.
