Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

You have your smart phone; your tablet and you have your child who is under the age of five. Where do you go from there when it comes to handing them your technology and what they are going to do with it. First – you need to make a folder for them, they can recognize this with their name and your child(ren) will be know as “just their space”. Anything app that goes in there should be carefully looked over before you allow your child to open it – even if it come highly recommended by your best friend, teacher or local newspaper. There may be things you find offensive, sexist, or racist. Here are list of six apps that have been tried and tested and found to be entertaining and educational. Remember to check every app after you download the app to make sure that is indeed the app you want your child to use.

Learn with Homer (Free)

Developer: Homer

The 2014 update to the popular Learn With Homer literacy app for children ages 3-8 allowed users to access all of Learn With Homer’s content through a subscription service instead of downloading individual pieces of content. Members can add four children to their account when they sign up for the monthly or yearly package. In addition to unlimited content, their new Pigeon Post feature lets family members interact with children by sending messages through Learn With Homer.

Toontastic Jr. Kung Fu Panda (Free)

Developer: Launchpad Toys

The best part of Toontastic Jr. Kung Fu Panda is its StoryShare feature. Children can connect with a user on another device that also owns this app, then create the story together using their two devices, adding dialogue and moving their characters in each scene. When they are deciding what to do next, there is even a walkie talkie feature that lets them speak to their friend or family member using the iPad microphone. A double authentication system lets parents enter the email address of the person with whom their child wants to connect.

Fit Brains for Kids (Free)

Developer: Rosetta Stone Canada

Most brain training applications are targeted to lifelong learners. Enter Fit Brains for Kids: Sparky’s Adventures, developed by Dr. Paul Nussbaum, as the answer to giving preschoolers a chance to participate in similar mental workouts. Exercises are led by Sparky, a cartoon firefly that cheers on your youngster as they tackle matching, sorting, hidden objects, shape sizes, and more.

Fun with Colors - Learn Color Names and Draw 

Developer: Bastei Luebbe AG

Primary school students and preschoolers will absolutely love Fun with Colors - Learn Color Names and Draw. This kid-friendly app promotes discovery learning and gives kids a chance to interact with colors in a variety of ways. Children can draw their own pictures and see the colors they choose move about the screen, or they can match colors to different animals and objects.

Bug Art 

Developer: Little Bit Studio

With this playful app your kids can free paint on different backgrounds including virtual coloring book pages or design their own bugs using stencils. Bug Art also includes a few games where children will fly like a butterfly and race beetles across their screen. The high quality graphics and vibrant interface are truly impressive.

Busy Shapes 

Developer: Seven Academy

Similar to the traditional wood block shape sorting games, the Busy Shapes iPad app asks students to sort different shapes by dropping them in the corresponding outlines on the screen. They need to move squares into square shaped holes and hexagons into the correct place on their screen. As a bonus, Busy Shapes monitors each student’s progress and gives feedback to parents.

(This content was originally posted at appoLearning. To discover the additional apps for elementary school students, middle school students, high school students and beyond, check out the full list at appoLearning.)