In most cases, screen time doesn’t get much love in the world of parenting media. However, educational apps installed on phones and tablets can be used to teach a number of things like languages, math, grammar, color and shape identification and even provide families with access to several educational videos and resources. Below are some examples of learning apps that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.
First™
This app provides babies, toddlers and preschoolers with access to more than 1,000 educational shows, books, learning games and songs in an online environment that is not only ad-free; it is also 100% COPPA-compliant. Parents can choose to play alongside their children or let them learn independently from time to time.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
While it’s not always possible for families to visit the zoo in person, this app allows you and your children to get up close with a number of animals in the zoo by viewing them through cameras that have been set up at the various enclosures. The whole family will enjoy learning several fun facts about panda bears, gorillas, lions, flamingoes and many other critters. Included in this exciting app is an index that provides information about the different animals and the environments they live in.
NASA’s Rocket Science 101
Kids and their parents can use this exciting app to select a space mission and build their very own rocket that they’ll be able to send into orbit. They’ll learn about the details of various NASA missions as well as about the different components of each launch vehicle and what all has to be done to get a rocket to leave the earth’s atmosphere and complete a mission.
Sky Map
Virtually every parent has fielded an endless array of questions such as, “Why are the stars up in the sky?” or, “Why does the moon only come out at night?” and this app has answers to virtually every star and sky-related topic you can think of. Kids or parents simply have to aim their phone skywards and Sky Map will give information regarding the stars, planets, moon phases, constellations and even meteor showers that can be seen at that moment.
Project Noah
Parents who have budding nature enthusiasts in their home will love this app that allows kids to explore and document different animals, plants, insects and trees on a platform that’s been designed to take advantage of the power of citizen scientists around the world. Kids or their parents can upload pictures of virtually any species and have other app users weigh in and provide information on it within a matter of hours. This provides an excellent way for families to discover new facts about the nature they’re exposed to.
Apps such as those mentioned here can provide ideal opportunities for families to spend some quality time together, while getting to learn something new and interesting at the same time.
