The Best Educational Apps for the iPad
Well, as you already know I work away from home a lot. We therefore have a couple of iPads so I can talk to the kids at bedtime using FaceTime (we have iPad 2s as obviously there was no camera on the first iPad). Because I am out and about so much (and often without access to WiFi, especially in the hotels that charge £15 a day to use theirs the sneaky sods), I went for an iPad 2 on Contract as then I had a micro SIM to use to access the internet which works out much cheaper than using the hotel WiFi - also good for use on the train, holidays (when I ever have the time to take one), and to entertain the kids most places!
Well, we find that these handy gizmos have been pretty helpful in entertaining and teaching the kids too.
The iPad is a fantastic multi media tool allowing your child to interact in many different ways and is therefore a valuable learning tool. A recent study has shown that whilst ebooks with interactive aspects on them can make recalling actual text and facts from the story more difficult for a youngster, most experts agree that they are a fantastic way to encourage reluctant readers in their quest for literacy.
There are a wealth of fantastic apps available to download for your children to use as educational tools. Here are some of our faves:
Star Walk is a star gazing app that the whole family can enjoy. Available for the iPad 2 and iPad 3 it turns the camera on your iPad into a telescope and helps you to identify the stars and planets you are looking at.
Fish School is pretty clever! No it’s not just a shoal or “school” of fish swimming around, these handy fishes will actually help your littler ones with letters number and shapes by swimming in perfect synchronisation with the music into a variety of different positions. Your child is encouraged to learn as when they do well they are allowed “free play” to move the fish around themselves as they wish – swimtastic!
Math Bingo is a great tool to help those who are reluctant or slow starters with mathematics. In order to complete a bingo board the child must answer simple maths problems such as addition and subtraction. Completing a bingo board results in a “bingo bug” reward so the kids have some incentive to do well – BINGO – a winner with the littlen’s!
Whilst some people may not think that art is a worthwhile subject, we think that giving kids the confidence to make their mark in whatever creative way they choose is really important for their early development. The more used to it they are before they begin learning to write their name etc at school, the more likely they are to pick up a pen later on with ease. Our favourite is Color and Draw as this enables children to colour in premade drawings and customise them with stickers. Should you want an app so your child has the freedom to create their own masterpieces then why not take a look at Drawing Pad – chosen as app of the week in 12 countries your kids can make pictures using crayons, markers, paintbrushes, pencils and more!
Well, we find that these handy gizmos have been pretty helpful in entertaining and teaching the kids too.
The iPad is a fantastic multi media tool allowing your child to interact in many different ways and is therefore a valuable learning tool. A recent study has shown that whilst ebooks with interactive aspects on them can make recalling actual text and facts from the story more difficult for a youngster, most experts agree that they are a fantastic way to encourage reluctant readers in their quest for literacy.
There are a wealth of fantastic apps available to download for your children to use as educational tools. Here are some of our faves:
Star Walk is a star gazing app that the whole family can enjoy. Available for the iPad 2 and iPad 3 it turns the camera on your iPad into a telescope and helps you to identify the stars and planets you are looking at.
Fish School is pretty clever! No it’s not just a shoal or “school” of fish swimming around, these handy fishes will actually help your littler ones with letters number and shapes by swimming in perfect synchronisation with the music into a variety of different positions. Your child is encouraged to learn as when they do well they are allowed “free play” to move the fish around themselves as they wish – swimtastic!
Math Bingo is a great tool to help those who are reluctant or slow starters with mathematics. In order to complete a bingo board the child must answer simple maths problems such as addition and subtraction. Completing a bingo board results in a “bingo bug” reward so the kids have some incentive to do well – BINGO – a winner with the littlen’s!
Whilst some people may not think that art is a worthwhile subject, we think that giving kids the confidence to make their mark in whatever creative way they choose is really important for their early development. The more used to it they are before they begin learning to write their name etc at school, the more likely they are to pick up a pen later on with ease. Our favourite is Color and Draw as this enables children to colour in premade drawings and customise them with stickers. Should you want an app so your child has the freedom to create their own masterpieces then why not take a look at Drawing Pad – chosen as app of the week in 12 countries your kids can make pictures using crayons, markers, paintbrushes, pencils and more!