Flawed and Fabulous

As an education professional, it is exciting for me to discover new ways to integrate technology into my children's learning and development.  The iPad is a wonderful device and platform to enhance teaching and learning in many ways.

Granted, there are some apps that don't live up to my standards in regards to content, interactiveness, learning outcomes, and graphic design.  However, there are several noteworthy apps that provide a fun and engaging play-to-learn experience for my toddler. 

These apps provide a wealth of entertainment and learning opportunities with each activity.  These activities support her language development and enhance her memory and problem solving skills. We enjoy taking time to discover new apps, playing new games, and learning new things.  

(Click on the app name to be taken to the App Store page for each app.)

Curious George at the Zoo for iPad

#1 Education App! (April 2012)

Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards

Voted Best iPad Kids App of the Year 2010 at iLounge

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

The #1 Preschool Game in the App Store

PBS Kids Video

She can watch her favorite episodes of Caillou via this safe, child-friendly viewing experience.  No need to worry about stumbling on altered videos with questionable content on YouTube.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally App-isode

This is an interactive Mickey Mouse Clubhouse full-length episode.  Completely with interactive activities (counting, problem solving, shapes, and memory skills).  And the app is FREE!!!

Easy Bake Treats

All the fun of baking your favorite treats without the mess and clean up!!!

Each of these apps offer an array of activities from finger painting to puzzles to sing-along songs from the three movies.  

Highlights of each app include:

Toy Story

Sound effects and character voices 

Clips from the original motion picture throughout the read-along experience

 Toy Story 2

Visual page index allows her to jump to her favorite part of the story

Toy Story 3

Record my voice reading the story and hear it read back as narration.  Can record her voice too! 

View select pages in 3D with touch-to-play exploration (required 3D glasses are free and available at Disney stores in the U.S. and Canada)

With ease and confidence, she can maneuver from app to app without the need for constant over-the-shoulder supervision.  Allowing a small window of time for me to attend to household tasks, tend to her sister, or just do nothing...


But I'm afraid it won't be long before she will have to put the sharing lessons in action.  Her five-month old sister is already curiously engaged and reaching for the iPad and iPhone.

Next... favorite apps for infants!  Yes, they do exist.


Latifah