A Therapist’s Perspective: The Best Learning Apps for School-Aged Children
Technology has enhanced communication pathways to teachers in school – and parents can support those efforts. Not only can teachers easily monitor their child’s grades and performance at school, but parents can easily access technology to support learning at home.
There are an endless list of educational Apps which can be easily introduced into daily home routines – some of our favorites include:
Bedtime Math—an educational App that promotes number sense and development of math concepts in a playtime, fun fashion (no scores, no drilling).
ABC Magic Phonics—helps young children learn the sounds of the alphabet in a fun, game format.
Fun with Directions—a fun way for children to practice listening and following directions. The App includes attractive art and animations.
Settle Your Glitter—helps children use deep breathing exercises to regain emotional control.
iReward Chart—cool tool for setting up a token reward system at home.
Touch and Learn Emotions—helps kids learn to read body language and understand emotions using real-life pictures and a game platform.
Moody Monsters Manor—a good way to open discussion with young children about different emotions. Developed for 3 and 4-year-old children, it includes various characters including Worried Wonda, Confused Carl, Hungry Hand, and Scared Sam (Android only).
Take a Chill – Stressed Teens—includes tools for adolescents to help manage stress and use mindfulness practices daily.
When introducing new educational Apps at home, it should be leisurely and never viewed as a chore. Interventions and learning tools are only effective when children are having fun and seem engaged. If it is a struggle to obtain their interest, be flexible and open to other approaches.
While technology enthuses many, it doesn’t work for all kids all the time. A good, old-fashioned game of Scattergories, Uno, Checkers, or Chess (to name a few) also help to promote cognitive development and social engagement in a fun fashion (unbeknownst to kids!). Family trips to the library, museum, and aquarium advances knowledge and promotes learning. When supplementing learning outside of school, the most important consideration is that children are interested and having fun.
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