There is no denying it...technology is part of our culture and can have an impact on how we parent our children. For example, it seems to be a growing trend that parents are handing over old smartphones to their children. As a result, children are asking for apps for their phone. How can apps become a partner in learning for our children? PBS put together a list of 6 Tips for Buying Children's Apps.
- A good app is a perfect combination of education and entertainment: It is important that a child has opportunities to play and do something new and challenging. When kids are engaged, they learn!
- Explore and play with your child: Research shows that kids learn more when parents join in the fun which is true for all media!
- Select games that are developmentally appropriate for your child: Ask yourself, is this a skill or storyline my child is capable of following right now. In addition, for pre-readers, make sure there are audio cues and not just words on a screen.
- Set limits and encourage other forms of learning and playing: Think about the number of hours your child is spending in front of screens-create a balanced "media-diet" for your child!
- Select apps from trusted, reliable sources: Look for apps that come from educational brands that are known for producing educational content. Review ratings and reviews on sites like Common Sense Media and from other parents.
- Determine whether apps are trying to market to your child: Watch for apps labeled "lite" or "free". Many such apps are tastefully done and sensitive to kids' needs while others provide frustration to the child which leads to nagging parents to purchase additional content or links to another app that requires payment.
Please watch for future blog posts as we explore some of the top apps for children!