I confess – sometimes I let my pre-schooler play with learning apps on my phone. As a veteran educator, I am committed to the face-to-face teaching of early literacy, instilling a joy for learning and building that reciprocal relationship with my kids that is so vital to their healthy development. But sometimes – well sometimes, we need something else. They need a high-interest activity while we’re on the go, or I need to focus on adult matters that are super important. Rare – but it happens!
Looking for a great “sick day” or surgery recovery set of apps? These are for you!
When sick days or “adulting” need to happen, I am very particular about which apps I let my little one use. Here’s my list of 20 low-cost (many free) learning apps that are more than just fun…they’re educational, too! Perfect combo.
These apps work on smart phones (Apple or Android) and/or tablets. See each individual app for specifications for your device.
Kids learn the shapes of each number by tracing them, learning to count, matching numbers of objects to the corresponding number, and filling in the blank in a sequence.
For kids who LOVE animals and science, this is the perfect math app for them! Colorful graphics, lots of difficulty options – this is a versatile app that will grow with your child as their math minds develop.
Learning phonics is extra fun when there’s puppies, animals and airplanes involved! This high-interest, boldly colored app teaches kids phonetic sounds with the initial letters of common objects.
Kids learn to match letters to sounds in a fun, interactive way. Learn letter and sound recognition, as well as hand-eye coordination in this app specially designed for tiny fingers.
If you’re a kid who likes vehicles (especially big ones), this app is for you. Includes a jigsaw puzzle, paint-by-touch feature and working parts to some of the biggest rigs.