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Books, Movies, TV, APPS: We all want our children engaging in the things that make them grow into amazing adults. I highly recommend using Common Sense Media to help guide your selections for your child.
Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age. Learn how we rate and review and see our founding editors' 10 Beliefs. Our vision: Families taking charge of their digital choices.
Apps: I have curated app recommendations from many educational resources here. I have not downloaded these to my device and can say no more than they have been recommended by education professionals of whom I will list below:
ABC Kids com.rvappstudios.abc-kids-toddler-tracing-phonics is a free phonics and alphabet teaching app that makes learning fun for children, from toddlers all the way to preschoolers and kindergartners. It features a series of tracing games to help kids recognize letter shapes, associate them with phonic sounds, and put their alphabet knowledge to use in fun matching exercises.
The ABCmouse mobi.abcmouse.academy Early Learning Academy is the research-validated program that kids 2–8 love to play with as they learn:
Sushi Monster com.scholastic.SushiMonster Use speed and accuracy to place sushi pieces near the monster and make the target number. Make a correct equation to feed the monster.
Number Frames com.clarity-innovations.mlc.NumberFrames Use speed and accuracy to place sushi pieces near the monster and make the target number. Make a correct equation to feed the monster.
Time Teacher com.learnweaver.timeteachers is a great way to teach children how to read time. Within this app is a number of activities that will help children develop an understanding of telling the time for your children,
MathTappers: ClockMaster com.heavylifters.clockmaster is a game designed to help children make the connection between hours and minutes and to help them become fluent in both reading and setting time on digital clocks, number-word clocks, and analog clocks.
Interactive Telling Time com.giggleup.interactivetellingtimelite - Discover an easy and fun way to learn analog/digital clocks.
Reading Eggs Eggy Words 100 com.blake.eggy100iPhone is a FREE application designed to help children recognise and learn sight words. Sight words are words that readers should know automatically “at sight”, such as he, the, was and where. This is a sample version of what is featured in Eggy Words 250. You will receive access to the first 100 of 250 sight words using a fun and motivating game to keep kids learning.
Site Word Phonic Flash Cards com.astaria.pimphornsight1 this Free My First Reading 100 Sight Word list Games is really a helpful booklet to improve and even increase English sight word list through audio sound. It is particularly designed for kids and all level of ESL learners.
Doodle Buddy com.pinger.chalktalk is the most fun you can have with your finger! It's for everyone--from the serious artist to someone just starting out.
PBS KIDS Video org.pbskids.ipadplayer is a key part of PBS KIDS’ commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment—wherever kids are. More PBS KIDS videos may also be found online at pbskids.org/video.
Storyline Online net.storylineonline.app The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Starfall com.starfall.more Reading, phonics and math
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Play, sing, and learn with kids' favorite bilingual explorer.
All of the games, apps, movies, TV, and more from the iconic 50 year old show.
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Podcasts aren't just for grown-ups, so find one your whole family can enjoy.
Cool Online Museums for Curious Kids
Explore art, science, and history from around the world.
Get an adrenaline rush without pulling a trigger.
Fun Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
Sometimes you can't stay connected, but these apps will let the fun continue!
19 Apps and Sites for Kids Who Hate Math
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20 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading Is Boring
For some kids, picking up a book is like torture. Take the sting out of text and find a fun inroad with these apps.
17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
From little kid to teen, all kids get distracted (adults, too!), so consider using some tech to keep them on track.
20 Weirdest Apps That Can Help Your Kid Learn
These apps are bizarre in the best ways -- and they offer learning opportunities.
27 Apps and Sites for Gifted and Talented Kids
Though these tools are great for all kids, they have special appeal for kids who need an extra challenge.
Newsela com.newsela.Newsela is the best way for students to master nonfiction in any subject. By combining real-time assessments with leveled content from premier daily news sources and eminent nonfiction publishers, Newsela makes reading-to-learn relevant, interesting, and effective regardless of interest or ability.
Khan Academy org.khanacademy.Khan-Academy allows you to learn almost anything for free.
Educational Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
No need for internet to use these great learning apps.
Top 10 Paid iPhone Apps on the App Store
We keep track of the chart-topping apps.
The Best Kids' Apps of the Decade (2010–2019)
The 10 most game-changing apps from the past 10 years.
Podcasts and Audio Apps for Kids
Podcasts aren't just for grown-ups, so find one your whole family can enjoy.
Cool Online Museums for Curious Kids
Explore art, science, and history from around the world.
Get an adrenaline rush without pulling a trigger.
Fun Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
Sometimes you can't stay connected, but these apps will let the fun continue!
19 Apps and Sites for Kids Who Hate Math
Things just don't add up when your kid can't stand math, but these tools can help.
20 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading Is Boring
For some kids, picking up a book is like torture. Take the sting out of text and find a fun inroad with these apps.
17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
From little kid to teen, all kids get distracted (adults, too!), so consider using some tech to keep them on track.
20 Weirdest Apps That Can Help Your Kid Learn
These apps are bizarre in the best ways -- and they offer learning opportunities.
27 Apps and Sites for Gifted and Talented Kids
Though these tools are great for all kids, they have special appeal for kids who need an extra challenge.
Kids can practice rhyming words, prefixes and suffixes, synonyms, homophones, adjectives, and more in this colorful and engaging word matching game. Choose between single player and team mode. (Free)
If you’ve ever “elfed yourself” at the holidays, you know how entertaining and hilarious Jib Jab can be. Now the company has a special app that makes kids the star of their very own storybook. The free version provides one book, with additional stories available for individual purchase or through a monthly subscription free. Though the app lacks sound and interactivity, the story lines are appealing and the photo creates a great practice opportunity (and motivation) for kids to read. (Free)
This interactive read-along app allows kids to hear the story being read to them and record themselves narrating the text so they can listen to their own version as they flip through the pages. Games, finger painting, and sing alongs are fun bonus features. (Free)
allows kids to create their own unique shows with animation and audio so that digital storytelling is simple. Children can write their own scripts around original stories or demonstrate knowledge about a particular topic (sure beats writing a summary paragraph.) Best of all, Puppet Pals is totally free. (Free)
Web-based SpellingCity is well known for its engaging spelling and vocabulary practice, and its mobile app doesn’t disappoint. Add your own spelling words or use an existing list, including compound words, sound-alike words, and SAT vocabulary. 7 interactive learning games ensure variety and engagement. (Free)
Leveled for grades 2-6, these reading comprehension activities require children to remember elements of a story in order to advance in the game. Children practice a wide range of reading skills, from author’s purpose to context clues. ($0.99)
This classic fairytale seems to come alive through interactive features. In addition to lovely art work, an original soundtrack, and a narration conducted entirely by kids, this app offers lots of interactive opportunities. Find hidden characters, chase the pigs, and even blow down the houses by huffing and puffing into the iPad’s microphone. ($5.99)
With Noodle Words, emerging readers can make the word “spin” actually spin, and the word “jump” actually jump. Though the word sets are limited at this time, the appeal to young children, easy-to-use interface, and creative word play opportunities make the app a worthwhile purchase. ($2.99)
The highly interactive apps from NatGeo supplement leveled text with photos, audio, and video in different ezines about animals and nature topics. Children can read the text themselves or use the read-to-me function. It’s a fantastic way for children to develop reading, writing, and listening skills while learning about the fascinating world of animals. (Free)
Perfect for new spellers and has increasing levels of difficulty. Join Zip the alien in building a new rocket! Each word kids spell correctly helps him choose the pieces he needs. Once all the pieces are in place, you can launch the rocket and watch it soar into space. 4 levels of difficulty ensure that a variety of ability levels are covered. (Free)
If you’re also interested in eBook reading programs, you might want to check out SnapLearning. They have been a longtime supporter of The Cornerstone, and I believe strongly in the value of their digital resources. They provide hundreds of grade-appropriate eBooks, both fiction and non-fiction, which you can assign to your students and send to their devices! The eBooks come with interactive exercises and assignments which you can later review and assess. Best of all, the content is Common Core-aligned. If you want to check out their close reading portfolio (which is an awesome set of interactive exercises), you can request a free trial demo.
Educational Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
No need for internet to use these great learning apps.
Top 10 Paid iPhone Apps on the App Store
We keep track of the chart-topping apps.
The Best Kids' Apps of the Decade (2010–2019)
The 10 most game-changing apps from the past 10 years.
Podcasts and Audio Apps for Kids
Podcasts aren't just for grown-ups, so find one your whole family can enjoy.
Cool Online Museums for Curious Kids
Explore art, science, and history from around the world.
Get an adrenaline rush without pulling a trigger.
Apps That Act Like Math and Science Tutors for Homework Help
When homework has everyone stumped, these apps can help.
Fun Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
Sometimes you can't stay connected, but these apps will let the fun continue!
As teens move on to more complex math concepts, they can use these tools to keep pace.
19 Apps and Sites for Kids Who Hate Math
Things just don't add up when your kid can't stand math, but these tools can help.
20 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading Is Boring
For some kids, picking up a book is like torture. Take the sting out of text and find a fun inroad with these apps.
17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
From little kid to teen, all kids get distracted (adults, too!), so consider using some tech to keep them on track.
20 Weirdest Apps That Can Help Your Kid Learn
These apps are bizarre in the best ways -- and they offer learning opportunities.
27 Apps and Sites for Gifted and Talented Kids
Though these tools are great for all kids, they have special appeal for kids who need an extra challenge.