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

My two-year old has taken to the iPad and iPhone with relentless curiosity, persistence, and excitement.  She spends a couple hours a day on one of these devices, swiping in and out of her apps.


Since buying my iPad (excuse me... her iPad) a couple years ago, I've downloaded over 100 apps  for myself and my kids. Here are a few of the apps she loves and spends the most time interacting and engaged in the technology. 

I think she would agree with me when I say the Toca Boca apps are by far our favorites. Here is why we love them.

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

Toca Doctor

Examine a patient and solve fun puzzles and mini-games that take place in the human body.

 Beautiful artwork and fun sounds guides your kids through 21 different puzzles!

Toca Hair Salon

Cut, color, comb and blow-dry lifelike hair on six different cute characters.

Using your fingers you can make any hair style you want! And of course – take a snapshot and save your creations! 

Toca House

Help the five friends to do fun chores around a cozy house. Let your kids do the dishes, ironing,...

... sweeping or planting flowers in the garden. Loads of fun with 19 different mini-games!

One of the chores at the Toca House is helping the characters bathe.  Using her finger to move the sponge, she scrubs until all the suds are gone.

Toca Kitchen Monster

Someone must have left a window open! Two monsters snuck into the kitchen!! What a mess they’ve made… Well, at least they seem friendly enough. 

They look hungry too! Try feeding them and see what they like! your ingredients from the fridge and prepare them in anyway you like. Free exploratory play with food in a new way.

Toca Boca offers a couple game apps that help to promote sharing, taking turns, and group play.  

Toca Store

Now you can turn your iPhone or iPad into a Store Play Set – without any of the cleaning up afterwards! 
It’s the perfect toy for your kids to play together with you, their siblings or friends.

Toca Tea Party

Invite your friends to a tea party around your iPad! Set the table, choose your favorite cookies and cakes, serve the tea and you’re good to go! 

Simply eat and drink with your finger! With Toca Tea Party, you can play together with your kids in a way that stimulates their imagination.

Sometimes nothing can take the place of the hands-on experience of playing tea party.  Plastic cherry pie slices, orange slices, empty tea cups and all!

Click here to view and watch videos of all Toca Boca apps!

Each app offers unique educational and learning opportunities.  Making learning a fun and rewarding experience while still managing to hold her attention. 

Up next in Part 2... a curious monkey, everyone's favorite mouse, and apps that take you to "Infinity and Beyond."

Latifah