4 Educational iPhone/iPad Apps for Preschool Kids
… So you can feel better about forking over your device.
I’ve talked before about being a tech-loving parent, so it’s no secret I’ve let my kid have my iPhone for quite some time.
I work full-time outside the home and I also freelance in the evenings. I don’t have as much time for home education as I’d like … And if we’re being honest (and I feel honesty is the best policy), sometimes I just need a little quiet time. I feel better about handing over my iPhone if I know my child will actually learn something from it.
Since I know that you hang on to my every word and take all of my recommendations (that’s sarcasm, friends), I thought I’d share 4 educational iPhone/iPad apps for preschool kids — all tested by my tot and approved by yours truly.
Teach Me Toddler — $.99
This was one of the first apps I ever downloaded for my daughter. She began playing with it when she was around two years old. This app teachers numbers, letters, shapes, colors and phonics, and rewards kids with virtual stickers for successes which they can then use in virtual sticker books.
Four Letter Words — $.99
This app focuses on four-letter words and corresponding photos. Kids match the pictures to the words, which helps them identify the words by sight. It’s also customizable so you can use your own voice to help coach your kiddo!
Wee Sing & Learn ABC — $2.99
I’m a fan of apps that teach more than one thing, and this one does just that. It teaches the alphabet, animal names and sounds, and the names of musical instruments. The songs will drive you a little insane, but this app kept my daughter engaged and interested through the whole ABCs … Over, and over, and over, and over …
Hooked on Phonics: Learn to Read — Free!
This app is free to download, but requires in-app purchases. If you ask me, though, it’s worth the money. Kids learn the foundations of reading through this app with interactive stories and songs. Pre-K kids will probably like this app the most, but it’s never too early to get your child started on learning phonics!
Obviously, it’s preferable for parents to teach their children … But playing with an app every now and again isn’t going to hurt them. If anything, I feel educational apps can be very useful supplements to the foundations parents are already building.
So embrace those apps, parents — these four will make you feel less guilty when you let your tot play with your device.
