A tablet or iPad is a lifesaver for many parents (myself included).
Need to keep your kid entertained during a long car ride? Tablet.
Trying to keep your child quiet while you’re sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office? Tablet.
Here’s a new one… Trying to find a way to keep your child engaged and entertained, while remote learning? Tablet!
Tablets have become a go-to resource for many due to their portable capabilities and because of easily downloadable apps.
Apps or applications are downloadable to your tablet and can often be used without a WiFi connection — which makes them the ideal tool during uncertain times (for example, COVID).
Your kids' school will recommend tools, set tasks, and provide resources so they can keep up with the work they would normally do — but these extra tools can help give their learning a boost and provide some variety to keep them engaged.
Here are our top apps for your child to use while remote learning...
App #1: The Most Downloaded Kids Learning Program on iOS and Android in Q1 2020
ABC Mouse is a popular app for kids between the ages of 2-8 years old. It provides kids with activities, quizzes, and storyline videos on a range of subjects. These include reading, math, science, social studies, and art. The goal of the app is to build a strong foundation for students in their early years of learning. For younger students, voiced instructions guide them through each activity. There’s even a map that charts your child’s learning path.
Need I say more? Well, here's more! This app contains award-winning curriculum and is the recipient of multiple awards (see image below).
This app is a no-brainer to add to your child’s educational library! Even better, this app is available on computers, tablets, and smartphones for easy access.
Local to Austin, TX? Whether you’re looking for a teacher for a specific grade or an instructor with a background in numerous subjects, Jill’s Tutors has a wide variety of online tutors and educators available for all disciplines and all levels of learning.
Learning Pods supported by Jill’s Tutors helps connect your child to small groups of 4-6+ kids, led by a certified teacher or teacher-in-training. Get a superior, socially distanced co-op learn-at-home experience!
Simply call or text 512-812-9502 or email us at jillstutors@gmail.com, and we’ll help you find the best solution for your needs.
App #2: Bringing Out the Oceanographer in Your Child!
Marco Polo Ocean is ideal to help spark their love for animals and sea creatures. The app allows them to create coral reefs, build an aquarium, make dolphins jump, and more. There’s a narrator to guide and teach them all about marine terminology. Kids will learn about various species, the ocean landscape, boat construction, and more in a fun and engaging way.
There’s just so much to do on this app. Things such as:
Building your own coral reef
Exploring the deep sea
Creating your own aquarium
And more!
These are just some of the fun things you can do with MarcoPolo Ocean, a “digital sandbox” for kids to play in that sparks their interest in the most unexplored part of our planet: the ocean.
Through self-directed discovery, this app exposes kids to early skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) — focusing on the following concepts:
The wide variety of animal species that live in the shallow and deep parts of the ocean
Ocean landscape
Construction and characteristics of a boat (shipping vessel) and submersible
Characteristics of fish and marine mammals
Topic-specific vocabulary exposure and acquisition
And more!
You can rest-assured with your child exploring this family-friendly app — boasting the Parents' Choice Gold Award!
App #3: Free, Bite-Size Language Lessons that Feel More Like a Game than a Textbook
Duolingo is one of the leading language learning apps today, and for good reason.
It creates reachable goals for students to work toward and teaches the language in stages. Students can gain knowledge of basic grammar while expanding their vocabulary. Though most public schools offer language courses in high school, the earlier a student starts, the better.
Duolingo is also recommended for supplementing homeschool or in-school language learning.
And now, the world's most popular language learning platform is now available for the classroom! Thousands of teachers are already using it to enhance their lessons, making this the perfect tool for remote learning.
Pulled from this apps website, its mission is clear:
Everyone learns in different ways. For the first time in history, we can analyze how millions of people learn at once to create the most effective educational system possible and tailor it to each student. Our ultimate goal is to give everyone access to a private tutor experience through technology.
There are over 1.2 billion people learning a language and the majority are doing so to gain access to better opportunities. Unfortunately, learning a language is expensive and inaccessible to most.
Duolingo was created so that everyone could have a chance. Free language education with no hidden fees, no premium content, just a whole 'lotta free!
The makers of the app believe that anyone can learn a language with Duolingo. With free, bite-size lessons feel more like a game than a textbook, and that's by design. Learning is easier when you're having fun.
But Duolingo isn't just a game. It's based on a methodology proven to foster long-term retention, and a curriculum aligned to an international standard.
If you’re still feeling like you need a little extra help, Jill’s Tutors is here to serve! Simply call or text 512-812-9502 or email us at jillstutors@gmail.com, and we’ll set you up with one of our talented, remote educators.