Learning through play has impressive results and when used as a complementary learning aid, your tablet or smart phone can not only keep your child entertained, but also help them prepare for school and stay ahead of the class.
.
Here are our top-rated apps to give your child a fun educational boost.
.
1. Montessorium – Intro to Letters (iOS/Android, $3.99)
This app teaches children the basics of reading and writing in accordance with the Montessori pedagogy without using Montessori educational toys. At first sight this app may seem a little more sedate than many other letter-learning games, however, this enables your child to fully concentrate upon the actual letters themselves, rather than any accompanying pictures.
.
Children are encouraged to make the sound of each letter out loud in preparation for learning to read. They can also practice writing individual letters which reinforces their learning and makes writing on paper easier, by helping to internalize how each letter is composed.
.
2. Toca Life – Farm (iOS/Android, $3.99)
Like all the Toca Boca series this game involves playing with a whole host of cute little characters. This app doesn’t specifically focus on one particular educational skill, but children learn by completing different mini tasks to ensure the smooth running of their farm.
.
Not only is this extremely popular game engaging, it also helps children to learn about the food chain, while completing certain tasks in certain ways gives them a degree of responsibility and encourages them to develop their methods for better results.
.
An important life skill whatever your age is and a great example of learning through play.
.
3. Homer – Learn-to-Read App (iOS/Android, Free 30 day trial, $7.99 per month)
Rated as “one of the most comprehensive apps for teaching reading” by the New York Times, this reading app really helps children to make the connection between words and sounds. Homer has been proven to boost early reading scores by an incredible 74%.
.
Featuring a library of more than 400 titles, hundreds of activities and personalized learning plans that parents can track, it’s no wonder that this app has featured in many publications, winning both the Teacher’s Award and Mom’s Choice Award. Need we say more?
.
4. Montessori Preschool App (iOS/Android, monthly subscription $6.99)
The Montessori Preschool App features a virtual school where your child can learn whilst playing. With a vast number of mini educational games teaching literacy, numeracy and basic life skills, alongside art and creative skills, this app really will captivate your child.
.
The activities have been certified by Montessori teachers and aside from the familiar Montessori letter and number learning exercises, this app also includes basic day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, watering the plants, and other everyday activities which Maria Montessori herself included in her classes.
.
As you can’t always take your favorite Montessori toys out and about with you, this app is great for learning the Montessori way on the go.
.
5. Endless Wordplay (iOS/Android, free with in-app purchases)
Endless Wordplay uses fun and rhymes to help your child to get to grips with the complexities of the written word. By reinforcing spelling rules with patterns and progressive learning paths, this entertaining app encourages children to learn to spell out words at their own pace, without stress, limits or scores.
.
A thoroughly engaging, popular app with great graphics that bring spelling to life. Downloads with three free spelling lessons.
