This unique application targets young kids who are acquiring basic vocabulary and early language skills. “Learn to Talk” facilitates lessons with 160 interactive audio flashcards developed by a speech pathologist and is thoughtfully designed to progress based on how toddlers typically learn patterns of speech and language. My son and I are currently working on the first lesson which is “high impact words”; these are comfort words and the first building blocks toward further language progression. Next, the application moves through label/object words, one word actions, and finally, to two word actions. The user should carefully read the directions to fully utilize the multitude of features offered as it extends the use of these cards and challenges children to master new skills. My son is developing language skills at a typical rate, but I can see how this would be an invaluable tool for caregivers working with kids who are developmentally-delayed or impaired, or with children in multilingual households. Overall, I’m a fan of this app but I must admit that I found it a bit challenging to navigate the interface settings and features. A young child might get confused and frustrated without the assistance of an adult helping them.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reading, Reviews, Spelling, Toddlers

“Preschool Connect the Dots…” is a phenomenal value with a whopping 200+ puzzles offered and a plethora of settings that allows you to customize the experience for different ages, interests, and skill/competency levels. At first glance, the screen is full of what looks like a flurry of random dots with numbers or letters, but once you start connecting them, a rough sketch appears. When you finish the puzzle, you’re rewarded with a picture that completes the sketch. My favorite features include the option to choose from five different puzzle themes/topics (e.g. animals, transportation), the high quality sounds effects and narration, and the multitude of learning opportunities offered. From an educational perspective, this app helps preschoolers sharpen skills including object identification and pronunciation, counting, letters (upper and lower case options). We look forward to many, many hours of fun and enjoyment connecting the dots.

Animals, By Age Range, By App Feature, Counting, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Primary School, Puzzle, Reviews, Sounds, Toddlers

“The Tortoise and the Hare” is the classic tale where the slow and perseverant Tortoise wins the race against the jaunty and overconfident Hare. It is the third animated storybook by the talented maker of “The Little Red Hen” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and lives up to its predecessors. This series of storybook apps truly sets the bar for children’s ebooks for the following reasons: the illustrations that are rich, inviting and beautifully executed, the narrator has a sweet, melodic voice, and the stories are beyond entertaining – they also impart valuable ethical lessons to our little ones. My son and I love how the books are interactive allowing us to click on the characters as we read with the illustrations coming to life with whimsical expressions and sounds. The only limitation is the language option. While other Kidztory storybooks have multiple language options, “The Tortoise and the Hare” is currently offered in English only.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Just For Fun, Language, Preschool, Primary School, Reading, Reviews, Toddlers

This application features the talking dog from the PBS Kids television series Martha Speaks. Dog Party is comprised of four games: Chow Time, Doggie Dress Up, Martha Says, and Pop Quiz. All of these games – with the exception of Doggie Dress Up – are educational and aim to hone keen observation, vocabulary, shape recognition, and word comprehension skills. Beyond the multitude of learning opportunities, this app provides a value with four games in one, the production quality is excellent and visually pleasing, and the canine characters are captivating. It’s clever and fun, and makes us giggle. My son and I can’t get enough of the enthusiastic dog tongue that licks the plate clean during Chow Time!

Animals, By Age Range, By App Feature, Just For Fun, Language, Preschool, Primary School, Reviews, Shapes, Toddlers

This spelling application is based on the PBS Kids television series “Word World”. You play by dragging the floating letters to its corresponding outline to “build a word”; the words then become animated characters. For example, D-O-G becomes a wiggly, barking dog, and D-U-C-K becomes a quacking (and talking) duck. The animation is stunning and this application adopts a delightful approach to teach spelling. There is a tremendous feeling of satisfaction when words become animated characters – undoubtedly a powerful association that can help foster early literacy. The first few times I played this app I was completely absorbed but it soon became predictable since there are only ten words/characters and they are always played in the same sequence. In its current form this application is a winner, but updated versions could benefit from additional words, characters, and a randomized sequence to keep it fresh.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reviews, Spelling, Toddlers

The educational application Hippo Letters practices letter identification. The user is given four choices of letters and asked – in both written and spoken ways – to touch the identified letter. Get the answer right and you’re given a playful, positive affirmation like “you rock”, “super cool” and “awesome”. Get enough correct answers and there is a fireworks display. The graphics and design are clean and attractive and the app is easy to understand and use. I also appreciate the encouraging nature of instruction. Unlike many toddler apps with several game options offered, Hippo Letters has one repetitive feature (letter identification) and playing it over and over again quickly becomes tiresome. Granted, this app does have fireworks… but not a lot of bang for the buck.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reviews, Toddlers

In the Rescue of Ginger, our protagonists Madera the monkey and Figaro the frog go on a quest to find Mrs. Applebottom’s cat. There’s much to offer with this engaging application. The straightforward introduction gives verbal instead of written instructions – fitting since the target population for this game is kids just learning to read – and the characters (especially the mice) are endearing, playful, and full of cunning humor. There are over 100 interactive elements and this application engages the audience in active participation to solve problems along the way (think Dora the Explorer). From an educational perspective, this application encourages critical thinking and learning opportunities for color, shape, size, and number identification. The makers Lyn and Line are on to something very special and I’m eagerly waiting to join in the next adventure of Madera and Figaro.

Animals, By App Feature, Counting, Language, Matching, Preschool, Reading, Reviews, Shapes, Toddlers

This clever app builds on the foundation of the remarkably successful Peekaboo Barn. For Peekaboo Wild, instead of knocking on the barn door to be greeted by a mélange of farmyard animals, you tap the rustling savannah grass to view the exotic animals on the African plain. Each animal is identified by the sound they make as well as their written and spoken name in either English or Spanish. The educational focus is early literacy, language skills and animal identification. I couldn’t wait to upload this app because my toddler and I love the stunning graphics and sweet narration of Peekaboo Barn. The formula (concept, artwork, and even narration) are very similar but the animals and sounds make this a completely new experience for my little one. It’s a bit pricey considering you only get to peek at eleven animals on this safari tour, but it’s worth it to me; my toddler can’t get enough of the adorable hippo and I enjoy the elegance of this artful app.

Animals, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reviews, Sounds, Toddlers

Letter Peek is an educational tool that associates alphabetical letters with corresponding words that begin with each respective letter (For example, Aa = Apple). The letter is spoken by a narrator (in a male or female voice) then a virtual page is flipped up to reveal a fleeting look at a photographic image and the corresponding word. The page then retracts and you once again see the letter. What my son finds particularly fascinating about this app is the “peek-a-boo” quality of this game. The back and forth between the letter and image help with word association and vocabulary and the nature of this tool is to facilitate both visual and auditory learning of the ABCs. This app is done very well and it gets two thumbs up but I wish there was more offered. This tool is limited to 26 “peeks” – one flashcard for each letter of the alphabet. It would be nice to have several sets from which to choose.

Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reading, Reviews, Sounds, Toddlers

Baby Sign ASL is a video phrasebook reference application containing 229 language signs to teach your baby. While many sign language reference manuals use text and illustrations to convey the physical motion of a sign, what “works” about this application is the video feature. With Baby Sign ASL, you can see each sign demonstrated for you. You can even organize the most commonly used signs into a “favorites” folder for even easier access. I’ve found this application to be an invaluable tool while communicating with my son. I only wish I’d known about this app before I wasted all that money on books!

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