#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC HOW TO#
#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC MOVIE#
#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC SERIES#

Parents can also think about ways to bring learning from an app into the real world – anything from counting the ingredients you are using to make dinner or finding shapes on your walk.Ĭheck too if an app is just a random collection of games with no meaningful thread, as opposed to one that has a coherent story with missions or games that build upon one another. So instead of an app that asks a child to touch a triangle and then showers the child with applause, Zosh suggests looking for apps that help kids identify triangles in everyday situations they can relate to. 'True learning occurs when we take that lesson or idea outside of the original example and see it in our everyday lives,' Zosh says. There are plenty of apps out there aimed at helping kids learn letters, numbers, and shapes, but once kids have grasped the basics, many of these apps become too simple and repetitive.

#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC HOW TO#

Tic Toc Time helps teach kids how to read a clock face. Some children are more susceptible to distraction than others, so look for apps that at least allow you to switch off any add-ons if they do prove too much. 'Not only can it distract children from reflecting on what they just learned, but it also unhelpfully suggests to children that learning is a chore that requires a reward,' he says. This may seem like an attractive feature to parents, but Dr Jordy Kaufman, a senior research fellow at Swinburne University of Technology, says giving out virtual prizes can actually interfere with learning and the motivation to learn.

Virtual prizes can actually interfere with learning and the motivation to learn Dr Jordy Kaufman, senior research fellow at Swinburne University of TechnologyĪnother common distraction in apps designed for toddlers is fake applause or the awarding of virtual stickers. Some apps are their own worst nightmare when it comes to distractions, offering too many add-ons such as pop-up animations and sound effects that take a child's attention away from the task at hand. Kids need to be engaged with what they're doing, so keeping distractions to a minimum is important – both on-screen and off. Stay informed with regular updates from our experts on shopping, travel, superannuation and your consumer rights. 'The more we can empower children and get them excited to learn, the more learning I would expect to see.'

#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC MOVIE#

If your child loves movies, think about having them work with you on creating a movie based on your family. 'If your child likes bugs, discover bugs on a walk, take pictures of them, and look them up when you get home. 'When children lead and adults support, learning can be maximised,' says Zosh. Parents should also think about apps and activities that follow their child's interests. To learn, kids need to be 'minds on' – that is, mentally involved in what they're doing.Īctivities such as figuring out where a puzzle piece goes in Busy Shapes (IOS, $4.49) or tinkering with gears and pulleys in Crazy Gears (IOS, $4.49) involve active thinking, whereas passively tapping at animations on a screen doesn't require a great deal of mental processing. 'Is she sitting there watching with that vacant look in her eyes? Is she just swiping or tapping randomly? Or is she trying to plan her next move and thinking strategically? Does she get excited? Don't be afraid to support those interactions with questions or new ideas.' 'Think about how your child acts when using an app,' she says.

But Dr Jennifer Zosh, an associate professor in Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University (Brandywine) in the US, says parents should pay attention to whether that's all their child is doing. One of the greatest attractions of many apps is that a simple touch or swipe can produce a response on the screen.

#KIDS EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR MAC SERIES#

In Busy Shapes, children must complete a series of shape-related puzzles.

Kids educational software for mac