Best Learning Apps for Kids
With our increased time at home, screen time has become an inevitable reality, but rather than a brain drain, it can actually be used to benefit your child’s learning and development. To transform screen time from your arch nemesis to your best friend, remember two cardinal principles: (1) quantity; and (2) quality.
Quantity: You want to be mindful of how much time your child is spending consuming content via a tablet, smartphone, computer, or television. Remember, what is measured is mastered, so use Apple’s Screen Time, or Zift to monitor how much time your child is spending online and exactly what they’re doing. You can also limit screen time to specific times of day to help build moderation into your screen time routine.
Quality: Be intentional about making sure your child is engaging with content that’s interactive and supports their growth and development. Prioritize mental stimulation over mere consumption. This means engaging with content that promotes phonics, mathematics, oral language development, and creativity. You also want to take time to complete the digital activities with your little one before you send them off to work independently. This provides an opportunity to model appropriate use, and demonstrate how to be successful at each activity, minimizing frustrating, unproductive moments for your child.
Check out the video below to hear about my absolute favorite educational apps for toddlers and early age children. I used many of these apps when I was an English as a Second Language (ESL) kindergarten teacher, and my husband and I now incorporate them into our routine as busy parents.
When used appropriately, screen time can be a powerful resource for growth, entertainment, social engagement, and experience. So, stop feeling guilty and start being strategic about how it’s being used in your home, and click the video below to hear about some practical learning apps that can help you do just that.
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Each new day, week, month and year is another opportunity to let your light shine, grow and become increasingly comfortable in your skin. The dawn of my ‘Jesus year’ and recent widespread power outages in Texas got me thinking, how different would our world be if we approached life with the same compassion, action, and love as Jesus of Nazareth? Check out four lessons worth adopting today to propel you and your family toward a life of more service, purpose and growth.