As a parent looking for ways to incorporate learning with electronics, there are hundreds of apps that claim to be the best educational apps out there. The problem is, it’s so hard to distinguish between what is actually a good app and what is good marketing. Some companies pay customers for reviews, and others pay for ad placement so they appear at the top of the search results. How do you know what to trust?
I won’t say I know it all, and I certainly get caught up with these marketing tactics, but with a seven-year-old daughter and as someone who works in a school, I’ve tried to navigate the world of learning apps. Schools use all kinds of programs, and some share with parents for use at home, but that’s not always the case. And kids may be less interested in the same programs across settings. I took a look at several of the well-known apps, and here are my thoughts on the best ones out there.
What factors go into making an app the best out there? Better yet, what information should be shared with parents and caregivers looking for apps for their kids? As much as we wish for learning opportunities, we’re all free, but the cost is something to consider. Additionally, how easy to sign up, log in, and access the apps? Is the app something a parent who isn’t the most tech-savvy could set up? Can a child navigate it independently if their parent is busy making dinner? Finally, what content and ages are the apps meant for? The last thing a parent wants is to find, download, sign up for, and open an app just to find that it’s for kids significantly older or younger than your child needs.
So here are my top three educational apps based on that criteria:
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free app with an option to make one-time or ongoing donations. There are options for accounts as a parent, teacher, or administrator. Khan Academy is available for a large range of ages and skill levels as well as subject areas.
Whether your child is 3 and learning the basics of number or letter identification or heading off to college and learning calculus, Khan Academy has something for you. The lessons are easy to navigate and there is a system to document progress which is easy to understand even for young kids.
ABC Mouse
If you are the parent of a younger child who loves pictures, videos and music or sound effects, ABC Mouse may be just what you’re looking for. The visual appeal of this app makes up for the fact that it’s not free.
While there is a free 30-day trial you can try prior to purchasing a monthly subscription ($14.99 per month), you can also purchase a subscription annually at a discounted price – currently $45.
Interactive fun that also promotes learning at the elementary level is worth further exploration. They offer learning in math, reading, phonics, science, and more. This is one of the few subscriptions I’ve used for my daughter, and she was a huge fan during her preschool and kindergarten years.
Epic
Last but not least, if you are looking for a fun way to engage your child or children in reading, Epic has a lot to offer. This is another app used by both parents and teachers to promote reading at a young age. The app offers a combination of books, videos, and audiobooks, so there is something for every learner.
I heard about Epic first from my daughter. As someone who hasn’t always loved reading, Epic opened the door to alternatives to book in hand, line-by-line reading. It built her confidence, and I could see her growth in her ability to read and understand the material. And as a reader myself, I was thrilled that she enjoyed reading.
Like ABC Mouse, Epic has a free trial; however, there is a monthly or annual subscription after the trial is over.
At the end of the day, there are so many apps with so many pros and cons. You have to decide what is best for you and your family, but these three are certainly worth a try in my opinion.
