“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.” I know I’ll be a mother someday and I want to help my child reach their highest potential. However, with many kids addicted to app games like Flappy Birds, Where’s My Water and Plants vs. Zombies, have you ever thought that your kids are being undermined by these junk food apps? Fortunately, there are apps out there that help kids learn smarter while they have fun. These apps help with reading, writing and math proficiency as well as in social studies, science, music and the fine art.
Here are the top 10 free apps and 10 paid apps that are suitable for primary or elementary school children.
1. Wikispeaker
Children are known to be innately curious, peppering their parents with a million questions that usually start with the word ‘why?” Lucky for us, WikiSpeaker app can answer any question they have (without the hassle of having to type it in). A great app to have for those questions you don’t really know the answer to. Not only can your child find out the answer on their own but they can also teach their parents a thing or two. Perfect for kids aged from 5-12.
2. Mathemagics
The Mathemagics app can help kids learn to practice mental math calculations in funny and creative ways. Do you want to know the square numbers in the 700’s within seconds? This app can do it. The app boasts that students can baffle their math teachers by providing answers quickly and teachers can inspire students to learn by making math fun.
3. Eng-Chi Speak it Up
Now learning Mandarin or Cantonese is as easy as downloading this app. It’s always beneficial to learn another language and the best time to learn quickly is when kids are young. The two main features of this app are “RECORD YOUR OWN SOUNDS” and “NATIVE SPEAKER AUDIO” to compare your own voice with that of native speakers.
4. iLingual French
Though it belongs to travel category, this app can imitate your mouth when you’re actually talking English but translate it to French automatically, which is good for communicating with the locals when traveling overseas. This app can cultivate kids’ interests in learning second languages.
5. Memory Forcer X
While the above three apps are for the reading and using languages, Memory Forcer X is for memory improvement. As the main factor of studying, better memory can be the key to learn and study smarter. The example offered by iTunes in regards to this app is about a busy man memorizing all Japanese N2 Level words in 3 months, after using this powerful software. Start early and improve your kids’ memory skill by downloading this app!
6. iHomework
iHomework is an app kids can use to track their upcoming work for the school year, with the capability to repeat assignments daily, weekly and monthly. Parents can monitor and guide those activities on their iPhone or Macbook and you can also put in a pop-up reminders for your kids.
7. Simple States
A great app for kids to learn U.S. States and capitals along with other geography facts and fun games. The app is designed for all ages, so parents can brush up on their knowledge about the states and learn with their kids. It also makes a great study guide.
8. Earth 3D
Earth 3D is used mostly in screensaver mode but it can be great introduction to geography and outer space for your children. It can show the “real” earth so they can pretend they’re working in a spaceship and looking out their window. This app can enhance their imagination and interest in the world around them.
9. Solar Walk-3D Solar System Model
Spark your child’s inner astronaut. If you want to go past the Earth and introduce your kids to the wonders of outer space, the Solar Walk-3D Solar System model is an excellent app to do just that. This app helps kids learn their trajectories, inner structures, and history of their exploration by focusing on the planets through a 3D model.
10. Learn to Read Music
Children love music and what better way to encourage their enthusiasm than helping them learn how to read music. This app is a basic tool for beginners to learn the letter names for notes on the bass and treble clef. Your kid will be the mini Mozart in school when they learn how to play “Happy New Year” with this app.
Though paid apps are powerful and contain higher priories, there are still some free basic education apps for your kids.
11. Aa Match Preschool Alphabet
Your preschooler will have a great time learning their alphabet and first words with this app. Matching and spelling games help children learn while they have fun. The app also helps them pronounce letters and has a lot of fun animation and music that will keep your child entertained and wanting to learn more.
12. Splash Math
Compared with Mathemagics, this app focuses more on interactive practice. Kids can drag-drop shapes, popup bubbles, rotate clock-hands and more to solve different problems. The user interface is simple and clear with lots of pictures so that problem solving is fun.
13. Study Pinyin
This app can help to recognize some basic words, spell, sentences and even tongue twisters. If you don’t want to spend money, pick up this free app, your kids can master the whole 64 Chinese Pinyin characters with 4 different categories.
14. Dictionary Book
A helpful app that’s portable and easy to use. Most apps take up the whole screen but with the dictionary book, it only shows the necessary information that you’re looking for. A perfect app to refer to when your kids are studying, reading, spelling or simply want to look up a word.
15. The Gravity Ether
Rather than pulling tedious theories and definition of Gravity in Physics Class, this app helps kids understand by showing them exactly what gravity does. Kids control the gravity so the planets won’t drift aimlessly through the expanse of space . Kids control their motion by creating and destroying black holes with the tap of their finger. They’re sure to love it!
16. GeoExpert Lite
This is a more detailed app than Earth 3D, that includes more specific information about our planet. It covers the whole world with countries and capitals and has a learning and testing mode along with a leaderboard.
17. WAGmob
WAG is an app platform for learning, teaching and training. The Physics, Electronics and Electrical Engineering model, contains key concepts and easy quizzes that kids can learn a lot from. It presents complicated concepts and theories in a simple and easy way to help kids understand effectively.
18. Chemist Free
Mixing stuff up just to see what happens, what child doesn’t love chemistry? With this app, kids can combine different substances to see how they interact, change and create new substances, without the mess or the risk that they might blow up the house. Kids can experiement to their heart’s desire with unlimited possibilities. This app is sure to become one of your kids’ favorites.
19. Color by Numbers
It looks simple, but may be the best tool for those who have less patience with painting. Drawing and painting can cultivate your kids’ ability to mix and differentiate colors and can also develop your kids’ imagination, learning about art as another tool to communicate with others or express their inner thoughts and feelings.
20. JamPad Plus
This app can be regarded as the advanced app of Learn to Read Music. This app is great for older kids want to create their own music. Who knows? You might have the next big music star on your hands.
