App Wrap: Educational Games For Youngsters
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
There are so, so many apps for just about any mobile device geared towards helping kids learn how to read and write, that's it's almost unfair to point any out in particular.
Instead, I’ll highlight the different types of apps for no matter what screen you happen to have on you.
First off, you should know that there are lots for free, lots that'll cost you. It all depends on what type of skill you're trying to enforce and which methods you think are best to do that.
iPads have had an absolute explosion in educational apps that teach everything from time to money to phonics.
Where it may particularly shine above mobile phones apps though is in titles designed to help kids learn how to write. That’s because it's obviously bigger, just about the size of a standard paper writing pad for school. Little ones can get used to writing their letters and numbers in the same size as they'll likely do once in the classroom.
The downside though is they will be learning how to write them with their index fingers. It's unclear how well that'll translate once you stick a pen or pencil in their hands.
Touch-screen phones do offer those types of drawing tools too, but you'll probably find since the screens are of course smaller, that they're better suited for activities that require more basic taps and swipes, especially if we're talking about games for young kids.
Connect-the-dots games may be a perfect example, as they help teach counting, and when they're done, the picture comes to life a bit.
There are also a gazillion number and word games that'll help you tailor learning more to your child's interests to make it feel less like learning.
And finally, Blackberry educational apps are usually more point and click since, except for Storm and Torch models, Blackberries don't have the touch-screen. The advantage to these games for the mom or dad owner of the Blackberry, the titles often times lock the keyboard, so that the child can fiddle away without crank calling or messaging a few contacts; and in the process, they may actually learn a thing or two.
To find the education apps you think would do the most good if you're forced to relinquish your device to a pint-sized loved one, browse through either the education or game section of your device's app store.