- iPod iPhone Apps for Children - estrelas
Apple iPod Touch, iPhone, and other smartphone applications (apps) have become increasingly useful for educating and entertaining ("edutaining") children. Children's educational websites such as PBS, JumpStart, and Grammaropolis offer associated apps to complement their fun and interesting website content. Christine Pollock discussed the increased use of iPod for education in her article, "Apps and Children in School and in Play."
With so many apps to choose from, it may be difficult to decide where to begin. Let's start with what I've got on my iPod Touch (compatible with most iPhone apps as well).
Favorite PBS iPod/iPhone Apps for Children
I have an iPod folder dedicated to PBS games, because my children enjoy them so much. Even my two-year-old quickly learned to navigate "her" iPod to find the games she's looking for. The PBS suite of apps, all rated for ages 4+, includes
- Mr. Rogers Make A Journal for Preschoolers
- Corporal Cup's FoodCamp
- Dinosaur Train Eggspress
- Martha Speaks Dog Party
- PBS Kids Photo Factory
- SUPER WHY!
- The Electric Company Wordball!
Interactive Books and Educational Games
My general kids' games folder contains interactive story book apps and games. My children's favorite interactive books, all rated for ages 4+, include:
- Dora's Ballet Adventure
- The Sneeches by Dr. Seuss
- Violet and the Mystery Next Door
- Wild Fables (Watch Aesop's fables come to life and play along)
- Ocean Encounters: A Photographic Exploration of Marine Wildlife
- Physics apps
In the education category, I have apps for learning to read, preschool, geography, and general education, including:
- BOB Books
- Leapfrog Scout's ABC Garden
- Stack the States
- TeachMe1st Grade (other grade levels available)
- Grammaropolis Word Sort
- Team Marco Polo
- Bear Grylls Bear Essentials (survival skills)
Other favorite apps include Smule Magic Piano, Sketch Club, Ah! Fashion Girl, the built-in camera, and the photo gallery.
Valerie Van Selous shares free math apps in her article on iPod/iPhone math apps.
Reinforcing the iPod or iPhone for Use by Children
When I first got my slim and shiny iPod Touch, I was somewhat concerned about damage my excitable children might do to the device. Here's what I recommend and have found adequate for warding the iPod against enthusiastic use.
The Griffin FlexGrip Action case covers your iPod in grippable rubber with thick rubber edges and a wrist strap for attaching the device to your child. Anti-Glare Film gives your iPod screen an anti-scratch surface.
iTunes U
Older children and adults may find something of interest in the iTunes University where you can download university lectures in print, audio, and video formats on innumerable subjects from teaching and education to business and health.
David Wetzel shares his top 10 education apps for adult learning.
Free iTunes Videos
In addition to games and storybooks, my children enjoy movies and videos on the go. We regularly check the iTunes store for free episodes of favorites including Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street, and Blue's Clues. You can also purchase or rent tv episodes, full series, and full-length movies.
The iPod or iPhone can be a useful tool for learning and entertainment on the go. You can provide your child with a tailored and changing selection of interactive books, games, tools, and videos.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
