Apps That Won't Turn Your Kid Into a Zombie
- Staci Thomison
- Sep 12, 2019
- 6 min read
Does the above picture look familiar? As we move into an age where technology is advancing at such a rapid rate, our kids are constantly updating with it. When I was a kid you actually sat and wondered about things, looked things up in a book or magazine, used the card catalogue, and asked a crap load of questions. For a laugh on this topic, watch this standup video from Pete Holmes. It's hilarious!
Back to the topic. Today, kids still are the same, but with limitless resources at a finger's touch. They never have to sit and "wonder" about things because they can find answers instantly on Google. Heck... even just hold the home button down and ask "Siri!" With the invention of Youtube, Netflix, and other sites that are strictly for "watching," our kids slowly slip into a zombie state.
Now don't get me wrong, sometimes you just need some peace and quiet or you want to have an adult converation. Allowing your kids to "watch" on an iPad just helps. From the time Levi was able to walk until age 2ish, I was notorious for giving my son my phone or iPad at the gym in his little car. He sat in it, yes buckled up, so I could get in some semblance of a workout! I had the "Choo Choo Soul" songs on repeat from a Youtube channel. It was my saving grace! Now that he's older, I honestly give him my phone less and less and when it is, it's in "his section" of apps that he uses it for. Most of the time he will choose an app that is engaging and causes him to create or think rather than mindless watching on Netflix.
So some of you might know and some might not, but I'm an Instructional Technology Specialist for Pflugerville ISD. What does this mean? Well I use my knowledge of teaching, my knowledge of technology in a classroom setting and mash those two together. I provide professional development for teachers at the 6 campuses I support on how to use websites and apps in their classroom. I also co-teach lessons, help with planning and other jobs as assigned. However, that's the big gist.
Now does this make me an expert? HA! Um... No! But does it mean I've found a few things here and there that might help a struggling parent... yes! So in thinking about apps that I've seen first hand success with, in both the classroom and in my own home, I've created a list of my top favorites. All of the apps below are engaging in some way, allow for a student to express themselves, show their artistic side, allows them to create and more! I would say that all of these apps would be appropriate for ages 3 or 4 through upper elementary.
Under each app I have a direct link to the app store with a synopsis of the app and most likely a video tutorial on how it's used. I've also written why I love it, how I've seen it used and any other suggestions or important info. I hope that many of you parents out there find this one helpful. Happy apping!
Chatterpix Kids
Why I love this app? Because it is so much fun!! Duck Duck Moose is the name of the developer that puts this one out and are the developer of several on my list. All the ones they create are honestly great and would be a wonderful addition to your iPad or device. For this app, the kid simply takes a picture of an object, draws a mouth on the picture, and records their voice for up to 30 seconds. It's so fun because then the picture is doing the talk and the voice is the kid's. They love it!
This is great if you have a young one working on speech development! It's great for creative thinking, personal expression or just learning to explain how something is done. When I needed my son out of my hair for a few minutes I handed him my phone with this app open, and told him to go find a triangle in the house. I told him to take a picture of it, and tell me how he knew it was a triangle. Kid free for 5 minutes to prep dinner! You could easily tie this into anything they are doing at school. Even an older student could take a picture of something and create a sweet note to mom or dad, explain how they solved a math problem, why they love baseball, or even critique their form from a still shot of them doing a movement in the sport they play. Appropriate for ages 4-12. (They recommend starting at age 5, but I think even a 3 or 4 year old could totally do this!) The possibilities really are endless with this one! It's really my favorite!
Draw and Tell
Why I love this app? This one is so great for the creative child! Kiddos can draw with an endless amount of tools and backgrounds or even draw over a picture from the camera roll. They can also color pictures in wit the coloring tool. They can also record their voice explaining their drawing just like with Chatterpix above; minus drawing the mouth. Appropriate for ages 3-9. If you are one that gives your kiddo an iPad at dinner so you can visit with friends (YES I DO IT!) then this is a good one to have them "create" in on those types of occassions.
Superhero Comic Maker/Princess Fairy Tale Maker
Why I love these apps? Well first, they are both also made by Duck Duck Moose. I included the Superhero one and the Fairy Tale to cater to both boys and girls, but honestly either could be gender neutral here. Both of these are fun for showing creativity and creating comics. Also, students have the ability to color in both apps or create scenes. They can create an actual comic strip or a full on story. They can then record their voice to tell their story. These both are super fun and engaginig with creativity for all kiddos. Appropriate for ages 3-9.
Kinder Tangram: Brain Game
Why I love this app? This one causes a kid to think. I recently introduced this one to my own child at home. It was super hard for him when he first started because you have to manipulate 2d shapes to create a picture. You must figure out which shapes go where, and even turn them. This takes some serious focus and abstract thinking for a small child. Which is awesome! You can also create pictures with shapes and color in pictures as well. It is recommended for ages 4 and up. For my son, we didn't introduce until he was 5 1/2 and honestly was still "hard" to start. Now he loves it and is one of his "go-to's."
PBS Kids Games
Why I love this app? This is one is a repository for a lot of games with familiar characters. PBS kids is a great site for learning. They offer alot of great, educational cartoons and videos on their PBS Kids Videos app. This works in conjunction with those same characters in a game base format. Levi loves playing these on the computer. In fact I have a shortcut straight to this site for him on the computer. We also have it in app form on my phone. The cookie creator is a super fun game and allows students to create, then sell cookies in a store. What great every-day knowledge! Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Teach Your Monster to Read (Paid app- free online on computer)
Why I love this app? Well it does exactly what the title says ... teaches your little monster to read! So of course I'm going to love it! Heads up, the app is not free. However the developer does run it free every once in awhile in the app store, which is when I got it for my little monster. The web version on the computer however, is completely free! I love this app because it starts with site word recognition and then forms recognizing and reading sentences. It is in a game based format which makes it fun for students. They earn points/coins and then can spend them. My little guy really likes it, however, I haven’t pushed it much because developmentally he wasn't "there" yet. Now this one will move to the forefronts of ones to "play" on since he’s in kindergarten. Advertised for ages 4 and up. I honestly wouldn't introduce this one until your kid knows letters and sounds and how they make a few basic sight words.
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