iPhone Apps for Preschoolers

To the shock and amazement of their parents, many preschoolers today are able to operate iPhones and other pieces of technology with seemingly little effort. These children can easily unlock the devices, search and download apps, and switch from app to app. Some even know how to operate the device better than their parents!

Since children today are capable of using various pieces of technology, it is important for parents and teachers to provide them with age-appropriate and educational games and activities. Parenting magazine published an online article that lists 25 iPhone apps designed for children (http://www.parenting.com/gear-gallery/Gear/25-iPhone-Apps-for-Kids/1/). The list includes the typical games such as Memory, Mad Libs, Checkers, Word Search, and Tic-Tac-Toe. One of the unique apps is "The Pianist", which is an app that features a digital piano with the keys labeled in the different chords. With this app children are able to make music and record their songs to play back."iSign Alphabet" is an app that lists the ASL alphabet along with image accompaniment to demonstrate how to correctly form the signs. Another interesting app is "Scribble", which is a Paint app designed for preschool children.

Some apps are more age specific, such as "Airport Mania", that is designed for children 6 and up. In this game children design and run their own interactive airport. I was surprised and excited to see several apps on the list that are specifically designed for toddlers. "iPlayPhone" is an app that features a brightly colored numeric keypad that toddlers can safely play with and dial with abandon without moms and dads worrying about them calling Tokyo. Another app that is designed for toddlers is "iTot Toddler Flashcards". These flashcards feature familiar animals, foods, and other objects. What is unique about this app is that in addition to the picture of the item and the English label, the item is also labeled in French and Spanish. "Toddler Teasers: Shapes" is another fun, interactive app designed for toddlers and preschoolers. In the app children are quizzed on shapes and receive a virtual sticker each time they get four correct in a row.

These are just a few of the educational and age-appropriate apps available to children. I have also seen an app that read classic books to children, such as The Cat In The Hat. Also, majority of the apps listed in the article are free or under $1.