Great Apps for Young Children
Guidelines for Choosing Apps
1. Choose apps with clear learning goals
The quality of the educational apps must have a distinct mission, like educating on letters, vocabulary, or reading skills.
2. Look for apps that encourage interaction
The apps ought to stimulate the active operations of children with the content by problem solving, conversation prompts, or creative tasks.
3. Select apps that provide meaningful feedback
The educational apps ought to present constructive feedback that can guide in the learning process and uplift the children to learn more. “Understanding how to select good quality educational apps is essential to ensure that the time children spend using touchscreens is constructive.” (Taylor et al., 2022, p. 1263).
4. Choose apps that support social interaction
The most successful apps promote collaboration or discussion to work with parents or teachers, enhancing their learning activities. “In the end, we challenge those creating educational products for the metaverse to partner with educators and scientists to ensure that children experience real human social interaction as they navigate virtual spaces, children’s agency is supported as they explore these spaces, and there is a real eye to diversity in the representation and access to what is created.” (Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2022, p. 2).
Recommended Apps
Starfall ABCs
Starfall ABCs e-learning tool is an educational tool used in teaching the young children the sounds of letters, phonics, and early reading. It is organized in such a way that it is in agreement with concepts of early literacy and youths of preschool and pre-kindergarten.
Endless Alphabet
Endless Alphabet also introduces the children to the vocabulary and the meaning of words through animations and interactive puzzles. It was also at level with the vocabulary level of any preschool or early elementary child.
ABCmouse
ABCmouse provides a sequential learning atmosphere that consists of activities that impart the teaching of reading skills, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. It serves children aged 2 to 8 years of age, and it has multiple literacy learning experiences.