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3 essentials when choosing apps for young children
by Dr Kristy Goodwin
We've all seen it: tiny fingers miraculously working their way around a smartphone or tablet to locate their favourite app. It can be both incredible and frightening to watch just how quickly young children master touch technologies like iPads and iPhones.
And this is the modern carer's dilemma
On one hand we want children to be proficient technology users, but on the other hand we worry about the possible effects touch devices are having on their development.
Well I am here to tell you, as children's technology researcher, educator and as a mum that you needn't feel concerned. The pangs of guilt (I call it 'techno-guilt) that you've no doubt felt as you pass back your device to a young child are actually not warranted. Phew…
The good news is that we have some early research that tells us that young children can actually learn with touch devices.
Of course the content and the design of the app is critical.
Quality apps for young children are often difficult to come by. The app market is swamped with inferior apps, especially for young children.
So to help ease some of your (unnecessary) techno-guilt, I'm going to share with you what we know about what constitutes quality apps for young children.
What should carers look for in quality apps for young children?
1. Experimentation and Play
Developmental research confirms what early childhood teachers and parents have known for years: young children learn best through play. They intuitively want to explore and discover how things work. In doing so, they develop a range of higher order thinking skills such as communication, planning and problem-solving. Apps can be a great way for young children to experiment and play.
Some quality examples of apps for young children include:
Motion Math Hungry Guppy - Young children can experiment with number combinations, by 'feeding' a fish. For example, the fish might require a 6 and children can feed him a 4 and 2, or 3 and 3 etc. This is very different to the 'worksheet apps' that ask, "What is 4 + 2= ?".
Busy Shapes - This app has been described as a 'digital playground'. It presents increasingly difficult puzzles for young children, as young as 2, to solve.
Happi Full Throttle – This app turns your iDevice into the dashboard of one of four vehicles (fire engine, submarine, helicopter or racing car) which children can use to 'drive' around.
2. Language Skill Development
The latest neuroscience research confirms that language skills are vital for optimal brain development. Children need lots of opportunities to hear and use language. Lots of language. There are some brilliant apps that expose and encourage children to use language.
For example, book apps can be a wonderful way for young children to hear language.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore - This is a delightful book app with a very powerful message about books and a range of highly interactive features.
The Wrong Book - Using this app, children and adults can hear the story narrated or record their own voice to narrate the story. The app developer, Wheelbarrow, make some delightful book apps and they even come with Australian accents!
There are also some fantastic apps that allow children to record their own voice and in doing so, develop their oral language skills. (And which young child doesn't love hearing their voice?)
Play School Art Maker - Using this free app, young children can create their own videos, by animating characters and simultaneously recording their voices.
3. Capacity to Create Content
Young children need to do more than randomly tap on answers at a screen. There is an abundance of these drill-and-skill type apps. Instead, children need to employ higher-order thinking skills and creating content with apps is a great way to do this. I have had the privilege of observing preschoolers create amazing and professional-looking digital stories with apps. Using storytelling apps young children can create their own backgrounds and characters, insert sound effects and record their narration. This would be near impossible for young children to do without apps.
Here are two examples:
Toontastic Junior Shrek - This app allows young children to create their own animated Shrek movie. You can also collaborate in real time with friends and family anywhere in the world to create Shrek movies with this app.
My Story - Book Maker for Kids - This app allows young children to easily create and share their own digital storybooks on touch devices. Children can draw their own illustrations or insert photographs from the device's camera, add text and record their voice.
And remember…
Not only is it important to find quality apps for young children, but is is also critical that adults monitor the amount of time that children spend using apps. We all know that too much of anything is not healthy for young children, particularly screen time. Young children need to develop healthy media habits from the start.
It is also important to remember that even though quality apps can support young children's learning, they are no substitute for real, hands-on learning experiences and rich interactions with carers, parents, siblings and peers. Children, even in a digital age, still need opportunities to play with blocks, mud, toys and cardboard boxes. Touch devices should be considered as just another item in their toy box.
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Dr Kristy Goodwin
Dr Kristy Goodwin is a children's technology and brain researcher, an Honorary Associate at Macquarie University and mum. She helps confused and concerned parents and early childhood educators navigate the digital world in which they are raising young children. Kristy is passionate about arming parents and teachers with the latest research and information so that they can make informed decisions about how they can use technology in healthy and appropriate ways to optimise, not stifle, young children's learning and development. She shares tips, tricks and tools on her blog and via her Facebook page and has a FREE App Checklist for Teachers & Parents of Children Aged 2 to 5 Years and is just about to release an eBook sharing the best apps for children aged 2 to 5 Years.
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