Go-To Apps for Children
“Nearly one in five children under the age of 8 use a movie device everyday" (Fox, 2013).
Ok, we are starting to warm up to the fact that technology will not be going anywhere anytime soon. You’re children will be using it as a part of their everyday routines (soon enough, if they haven’t already), but what are they absorbing. Jump back to my first blog post regarding how millennials and beyond all believe in instant gratification.
Applications: generally just software, an application is a single action download used for mobile devices and the instant gratification that seems to be what the children are craving. Applications used by children usually include games, books and educational concepts. How do we exactly know what children are absorbing however? Do we know that the applications we are downloading for them will benefit them during their early years?
There are some mobile devices that are deigned for children, actually the list grows bigger every year. Mashable.com writer Andrea Smith provides insight into what she believes are the 7 Best Tablets for Kids (2012). Since then there have been major improvements, however some that she mentions are still going strong; LeapPads and Tabeos are just two examples. As caregivers and parents, we believe that by investing in these tablets, we are doing our part in providing our children with educational AND fun activities. We are also wasting less time looking up the best apps that are on the market provided by the more common App Stores by Apple and Android. But then I think, why would you be here on this blog post?
As a millennial, I often wonder if I should trust the opinion of a professional that did not grow up with the knowledge that was instilled in me at a very young age: the digital; knowledge. I always wondered if they really understood the apps or the point of them in general and what they believed was beneficial to these children that can’t get enough of mobile devices. A blog post that I myself always refer to is one by the trusty Kids Activities Blog, the reason being it is only just about 2 years old and many of the apps are still available for children to try out.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
When looking for a great app, the author Holly (2015) mentions when designed to promote active, engaged, meaningful, and socially interactive learning within the context of a supported learning goal they are considered educational. How do you know if these apps do such wonderful things? Some helpful tips when looking for a great app is to check the reviews provided by real people (usually found on the same page of the app, followed by a rating). The higher the rating and truly the more reviews in general usually means you struck some kind of gold! Still hesitant? Engage in them yourself!
There is no reason to push these helpful uses of technology away! According to the experts, millions of children are using mobile devices each and everyday, so make that time worth while!
Julia
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
