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Along with her background as a researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne every week as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.

iPhone apps for kids

April  6, 2010

The iPad is being released this week. There's little chance I'll be getting one anytime soon, so I thought I'd turn to the blogosphere to find out which apps for kids are popular for my plain 'ol iPhone.

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center completed a content analysis of the iTunes App Store's Education Section. In completing the analysis, apps were coded for intended age group, subject and price. Their conclusions reveal a significant market for children's apps, particularly ones designed for toddlers. Foreign language and literacy-based apps are far and away the most popular subjects. The good news is that children's apps are significantly cheaper than adult-targeted apps.

So, that said, what apps are recommended for kids?

A Whole Lotta Nothing is a blog I read sort of regularly just for fun. Matt Haughey, the author, has a recommended list of kid games and the comments section reveals even more.

The Gadgetwise blog in the New York Times offered a list of the Best iPhone Apps for Kids. The interesting thing about that post was that the comments took on a life of their own! Sample 1: Here is the best iPhone app for kids: kids do not need an iphone. Seriously. Sample 2: Oh great... more ideas for electronic parenting. How about distracting the kids with a few books?

Travel Savvy Mom offers up a top 10 list that includes a Geocaching game and Smacktalk, a game that seems to have made several of the lists.

There's a site dedicated to the topic: Best Kids Apps. This site was easy to use because you can search by age, or type (creative, educational, word games, etc). There's a list of the best educational iphone apps as well as Best Free Apps, Best Fun Apps, etc.

It turns out that almost everyone has their own list of favorites and "must buy" iPhone applications. There's a smaller subset of lists that specifically looks at games designed to develop reading skills. I'll be spending more time with those lists using my critical eye. I'll post those findings soon.

 

Comments

(Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.)

Here are some additional apps used in classrooms in Escondido Unified: http://tinyurl.com/yzf8l48

Posted by: CreatingLifelongLearners.com  |  April 08, 2010 12:13 AM

www.onceuponanapp.com

Great classics for childrens!

Posted by: Jennifer  |  April 09, 2010 03:53 PM

Thanks for the additional links! Keep 'em coming!

Posted by: Joanne  |  April 12, 2010 09:33 AM

we have developed a new fun game for little kids!!!
ABC zoo is a teaching and developing iPhone and iPod touch application for your kids. Easy-to-use on a trip or whenever you are out with your children to amuse or keep them busy. A useful and funny app that lets your kid get used to reading. Your kids will learn alphabet while playing
Available to buy here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abczoo2/id360556675?mt=8

Posted by: ABC ZOO  |  April 15, 2010 10:26 AM

I recently did a roundup of the best storybook apps for my USAToday.com column. Here's the link: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/jinnygudmundsen/2010-03-18-storybook-apps_N.htm

Posted by: Jinny  |  April 16, 2010 01:44 PM


I thought you might like to know of three firms that create great kids picture books for iphone,www.picpocketbooks.com,
www.istorytime.com and www.guardianangels.com
I enjoy searching your site.
Best regards
Jennifer

Posted by: jennifer Poulter  |  April 21, 2010 09:56 PM

I wrote an app because my son loves playing with my iPhone, and I need him to do his homework. So I built an app where he can study, but he thinks he is playing. Homework for iPhone helps kids learn spelling. Parents, or kids, enter spelling lists, including recording the words. Kids can practice or take test by listening to the word and spelling it. Kids love to create their own lists because they like to hear their recorded voices. Please let me know what you think of my app.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homework-for-iphone/id399086922?mt=8

Posted by: Thom  |  November 12, 2010 01:00 AM

Taliking about the best iPhone apps for kids I would like to mention about Kinder Hangman - http://sharkfuel.com/kinderhangman.html that is specially designed to improve vocabulary of kids and help them remember new words. iTune link is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kinder-hangman/id375734517?mt=8 Thius iPhone app works to improve child's development and can be used to prepare kids for school. It is intended for kids of 4-6 years.

Posted by: Anonymous  |  November 12, 2010 08:34 AM

I created an app to help my son with his ABC Order. He is the type that won't practice it on paper, but if its electronic, he's all over it! You can find more info here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abcorder/id417115696?mt=8

Posted by: Matt  |  February 03, 2011 08:45 AM

Pleased to know that such apps are available which is only for kids.

Posted by: Clara  |  February 15, 2011 06:13 AM

I would also recommend parents to consider such educational iPhone app for their kids as Kinder Hangman - http://sharkfuel.com/kinderhangman.html it is an interesting iPhone game that is helpful for child development and allows kids to learn new words quickly and effectively. Learning process is organized as an interesting game with graphical themes and animations. Great app!

Posted by: John Tubbs  |  July 01, 2011 04:59 PM

I am the marketing representative of Ice Whale, an educational iPhone/iPad app developing team. We are now providing “Math Exercise Kid” which is a series of interactive math exercise applications for children. We also provide free trails.

We are going to launch our latest app with a special promotion, the FREE full version Math Exercise Kid (Division) with no ads for limited time. We strongly welcome you to take advantage of our special offer.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-exercise-kid-division/id449543879?ls=1&mt=8#

Please come to our blog at http://ice-whale.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Posted by: S.-P.  |  July 18, 2011 09:39 PM

You should check out http://www.p2games.co.uk

They have so many great apps for kids!

Posted by: Michelle  |  April 10, 2012 05:04 PM

Created with the permission of ZetaTalk.com, the Safe Locations app was created by the producers of
“The ZETAS TALK” to allow iphone users instant and ease of access and search to vital information regarding safe locations,
along with a useful reference guide to safety and survival.

Posted by: Rubel h  |  May 23, 2012 07:14 AM

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About Joanne

Dr. Joanne Meier
Charlottesville, Virginia
Dr. Meier has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of early childhood and reading education.
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