A few years ago as I was waiting for my three year old to come out of a class, I started chatting with a random mom standing next to me. I’m not sure how the topic came up, but in my gabbiness I must have mentioned something related to TV – a character, a commercial product – who knows, but the mom turned to me and said, “I wouldn’t know, in our house we don’t watch TV.” Things were a little foggy, because I also had a newborn, so I sort of mumbled, “Wow, that must be really hard for you,” and meant it. It wasn’t a judgement; we all do what we think is best. Before my LO was born I envisioned an organic, electronic/plastic-free house, but survival takes over and our methods as mothers for dealing vast. At that moment I really couldn’t imagine how difficult life would be for me without those peaceful minutes that D watched Jake and the Never Land Pirates or played Monkey Preschool Lunchbox. Mom guilt, but that was what worked in my house.
First kid problems, right? Fast forward – a little over two years later and both boys are asking me to, “download this app,” or watch them as they master some new puzzle or game on their iPads. I pretty much think that the 2nd babe was watching Sesame Street from his swing with big Bro from day one. So much for that two-year no TV rule.
My mom guilt is gone and I now consider electronics and even TV valuable learning resources. I feel grateful that my children fall on the fortunate side of the digital divide. Hey, we are raising 21st Century learners, right? As the little guy explores the classic “oldie-but-goodie” apps, like Endless Alphabet, my five-year-old has moved on to more sophisticated apps, you know, for nearly adults like himself.
Here are some iOS apps (and one computer program) that are all the rage (today) in the Skateboard homestead:
1.Robot Lab, by Toca Boca – Set to fun, space-age music, little people construct their very own scrap-robot and then fly it through a maze.
2. The Human Body, by Tinybop – Great for curious little minds. Children can explore all the systems of the human body. My little, ahem, scientist especially enjoys the digestive system – particularly the burps and pooping part (yeah, we are in that stage).
3. Cut the Rope, by ZeptoLab – This one was referred by a friend and we (I) love it. Put those problem solving skills to the test and help little monster Om Nom get the candy through some physics-based puzzles.
4. Walking with Dinosaurs: Inside their World, by BBC – Little D has been obsessed with Dinosaurs for awhile now, and this app,with its animated 3D graphics have only added fuel to the already fanatical fire. This app is only for the bold – I’m guessing that the realistic dinosaurs (and sounds) may be scary for some kids. Also a small disclosure, as a parent reading some of those dinosaur names can be scary as well.
5. Education.com’s Brainzy Games – D was pretty enthusiastic about playing on the computer, so I signed-up for this subscription (recommend by his teacher). It’s pretty pricey, $50 annually, but it’s grade/age specific, so that he can play a variety of games that reinforce what he is learning at school (sight words, measurements, rhyming, etc.). It’s a one stop shop. Plus, he is learning how to control a mouse and keyboard AND I can use computer time as a reward for good behavior.
And FINALLY, one for the parents. Those sparkling preschool years (and now kindergarten) have brought us stacks of priceless art projects that have caused me hours of guilt for tossing. Well, not anymore. A friend turned me on to ArtKive.
6. ArtKive, by Kive Company – Take a picture of the masterpiece, store it in this app and then make it into a book when you’re ready. You can create a profile for each child. Pure genius!
I suppose the next step is Minecraft, which D begged me to download (thanks to a super-advanced six year old on the playground who read D the Minecraft playbook on the jungle gym). Sort of intimidating and a little out of our league at the moment. Any other apps out there for the 4+ group that you would recommend?
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
After seeing how much my kid has learned from the Elmo and Baby Einstein DVDs we were gifted when she was first born, I am fully on board with technology too. Since she’s our only kid, we didn’t really start with TV until she was old enough to ask for it (daycare has been turning it on for them, so she started asking for Elmo and Mickey shortly after her 1st birthday), and we do try to set limits, but she’s learned a fair amount of sign language, songs, dances and a lot of verbal skills and engagement from what she’s watched, so I’m all for it. We’ll definitely have to check out some of the apps – she’s still little enough to not have much coordination for many of them, but the way she navigates the PBS Kids app already makes me think the rest aren’t too far behind.
pomegranate / 3032 posts
anyone use choremonster? I saw it featured on ABC world news and thought it was an interesting concept/app
clementine / 912 posts
Today when I was getting my 20 month old dressed, I starting singing the alphabet. After saying the letter A, he responded with a-a-apple. Know where he learned it? A youtube video we watch on our AppleTv almost daily. Love it.
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
No, no, no, you’ve got the guidelines all wrong. Two years for number one, two weeks for number two
blogger / coffee bean / 32 posts
@mrs.stroller, thanks for making my day
@chillybear, I actually downloaded choremonster, but haven’t completely set it up yet. I had a few bugs to work out, and just didn’t have the patience to complete the task. Thanks for the reminder!
coffee bean / 38 posts
Big age-appropriate screen time fans over here! I used to put disclaimers around it and apologise for it when I spoke with other parents – but I’ve stopped doing that. It works for us, it works for DD. She thrives on it, she learns from it, she gets creative with it! Her attention span is fantastic, she can happily go days without it if she’s caught up in another type of game. I think it comes down to the family and the kid
Those app recommendations are fantastic! Very excited about Artkive, and DD saw me reading HB and asked for the Human Body one on the spot. Thanks for a great post!
@Mrs. Stroller: bahaha love this
grapefruit / 4923 posts
my LO’s only 2 right now, but i am loving the artkive idea–thanks for sharing!
nectarine / 2210 posts
ArtKive sounds awesome! I’m definitely going to need to remember that for the future. Although probably by the time my baby is old enough to make art, apps will be outdated and we’ll have moved onto some newer type of technology!