My 3 Favorite Apps for My Toddler

The invention of Apps has saved us all in a pinch, from getting the latest status update to easily sharing a picture. But no recent technology has had a more profound impact on how my kids learn than the apps on my phone. Of course now that we so heavily rely on them, nothing is worse than needing an app that will keep a kid’s attention and not having one!

I have three children, a nine, seven, and three year old.  My kids have all used my iPhone to get through some long wait times like dinners with adult friends, the car brake shop, or a doctor’s office.  Here are three that have kept my toddler busy and educated when I needed it most.

ABCmouse
This is a story telling and reading app.  The premise is that two cartoon mice investigate a story while acting like a computer’s mouse so that they can look up works or facts they do not know.  The dialogue is written in comic book fashion but everything is also narrated between the two mice.  They spell small words which are then emphasized by the pronunciation.  “This is F-U-N fun!”  There are interactive games during the story such as finding animals in a picture.  Great for toddlers on up as the content is robust but the pictures are appealing.

Cookie Doodle
This game takes your child through the activity of making cookies, with everything from adding ingredients to stirring to rolling and baking.  The favorite part for kids comes when they get to pick out a cookie cutter, cut the shapes out, and then decorate them.  They can choose frosting, piping, sprinkles and candies to decorate the cookies.

When finished, a picture of the cookie can be saved in the cookie jar, or it can be turned into a puzzle or virtually eaten.  As you tap the cookie it disappears slowly as though it is being eaten, complete with crumbs!  Toddlers enjoy the process of this game and love to see their product.

Monkey Lunch Box Preschool
This app randomly selects one of 5 games for you in varying sequences, all having a fruit theme.  There is a 4 piece puzzle, a matching game, a beginning letter game, a size game and a counting game.  All are very easy and do not require the correct answer on the first try. A cute Monkey guides you to the correct answer. The matching and the puzzle tend to be the most difficult for the 18 mos to 2 year-olds, but it is exciting to see them begin to be able to do it on their own. After every 4 games they are able to pick a sticker and collect them on their board before they move onto the next game.

These 3 apps should get you through the rough times and expose your child to educational concepts.  What are you go-to apps for your kids?


Kristin Emery is a co-owner of Mommy Relief, which provides in-home childcare for all ages in the DC Metro area.  She also a practicing pediatric physical therapist and mother of three.  When not working, Kristin enjoys home projects, running and spending time on the Northern Neck of Virginia.

At What Ages Are Gadgets Appropriate for Kids?

It's common for parents to reminisce about simpler times, when kids were turned loose outdoors every day to scrape their knees and play in the sun. Now, the overwhelming rush of technology from all sides has grown-ups stressed out and wondering when their children will be old enough to begin exploring the digital world. The answer is largely one of personal opinion, but many gadgets have kid-friendly features that may even promote learning and creativity.

Original Photo Copyright

So long as time on web-enabled devices is monitored closely and more healthy ctivities are encouraged, a gradual introduction creates valuable familiarity in a world dominated by technical prowess.

Desktops and Laptops
Computers are tempting for children because they open so many doors. Unfortunately for parents, some of those doors must remain firmly shut for at least a few more years. Infants below the age of three gain almost nothing from computers and will have a hard time making sense of the screen. By third grade, however, children begin to receive assignments that require light research on the web and may be playing educational games in class. Targeted programs that emphasize developing skills have been shown to significantly improve learning in young children.

The larger concern, of course, is controlling what kids can find online. There are many different blocks available with varying degrees of strictness, ranging from unplugging the router to a more nuanced internet filter for older children. By not allowing unsupervised access to computers, parents can reap all the benefits of these platforms without risking the dangers.

MP3 Players
Music players have been wildly popular for well over a decade now, and are perhaps one of the most harmless gadgets for a child. So long as parents decide what goes on the playlist, there are few potential problems. Children should be old enough to avoid swallowing small parts and articulate enough to manipulate delicate controls. The biggest concern after those two is hearing damage, which can only be moderated by stressing reasonable volumes.

E-Readers and Tablets
E-readers and tablets often suffer from the same drawback computers do: internet access. Thankfully, they too have blocks available and are invaluable on long car rides or family vacations. Tablets store favorite games and creative applications, while e-readers are becoming more and more sophisticated and can now portray picture books so vividly that they seem like real ink and paper. E-readers allow kids to carry a small library with them everywhere they go and are one of the more constructive gadgets on the market for children older than five.



Video Games
Video games offer learning experiences in a fun package, though they are not as effective as once believed. Nonetheless, they are now an integral part of youth culture and at some point every child will play at least one electronic game. Not every video game is violent. In fact, there are plenty of games that focus on creative skills and helping others that are suitable for children aged four and over. By keeping an age-appropriate game library, parents can satisfy their children without worrying about early exposure to adult behavior and bloodshed.

Phones
Phones are, in some ways, a parent's best friend. They are a constant line of communication with a child, providing unprecedented access at all times. On the other hand, no one wants to see a seven-year-old with her nose pressed to the screen, driving up her family's monthly bill with never-ending texts to her friends. Starting with a basic phone that doesn't offer texting is a good practice once a child begins spending more time away from his or her parents. Privileges can be expanded as pre-teens and teenagers cultivate their social lives and develop a better sense of responsibility. Most parents feel comfortable enough to let their kids have access to a phone by age 13, but some get their first at as young as six or seven years old.



What about you? What do you think are the right ages for kids to have technology?

--

Sara Haslem works with Dell. When Sara isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her two kids in the outdoors, and preparing for her baby on the way. For more information on laptops, Sara recommends visiting Dell’s website