In a way, my family somewhat lucked out this past year and a half. We all faced our own individual devastation, but my daughter was too young to be impacted when it came to school. She was initially set to join an in-person program, but it wasn't mandatory. She was already quite used to spending time at home with me, which had been our arrangement since she was born.
But not everyone has a remote job. And not everyone has the flexibility to manage both a job and a child at the same time. Even if you can "make it work," it's still difficult at times. So sometimes, when something came up and I felt stretched thin, I gave my 4-year-old daughter extra permission to use her iPad. I'm not against screen time, but sometimes I pushed it a little hard if I had a deadline coming up.
With the number of helpful and fun apps out there, I wasn't too concerned with it affecting her negatively. Let me pay tribute to some of my favorites. I highly recommend each of these.
1. ABCmouse
By now, you've probably heard of ABCmouse. It's advertised a lot, promoting its program where kids can learn through educational yet fun lessons.
Let me tell you, it's worth the hype. The program is friendly, easy for kids to navigate, and truly educational. It has kids sounding out words, and it utilizes multiple learning methods for your child to pick up on. Personally, I wish it had been developed when I was a kid — along with iPads.
2. PBS Kids
Personally, the PBS Kids app is my favorite. And here's why: It contains a ton of games with characters we all know and love, and it's also free.
That said, the PBS Kids app is very selective when it comes to the types of games it offers. One of my daughter's ultimate favorites is Arthur-themed. While she still hasn't gotten into the show itself (which is wonderful), she's helped Buster Baxter and DW through a corn maze treasure hunt, learning about creatures such as luna moths, five-lined skinks, and cicadas. This year, she's actually been able to identify cicadas on her own, all thanks to this one free game.
3. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
I know what you might think — "Isn't 4 a little young to be playing Animal Crossing?" At first, I thought so too. But after watching me play this fun game, which you can buy from your app store, my daughter really wanted to join in. While she couldn't read the text, she had a lot of fun dressing up her characters — and even accessorizing the new animal friends she made at her campsite. And shockingly? It taught her a lot about saving.
When she was trying to purchase some of the high-ticket items, she learned she had a little bit of work to do beforehand. We even used Animal Crossing as a way to discuss money during everyday life. Things made more sense when I told her that we "didn't have enough bells" for what she wanted at Target, but she could save up and get it later.
4. Duolingo Kids
Duolingo is a great app for everyone. Kids are like sponges, and it's really incredible to see how quickly they absorb new information. While I'm not aiming for my daughter to be bilingual just yet, it's never too early to introduce a second language. It's also a great cultural lesson. My daughter is fully aware that we all have differences, and for some, that means a change in spoken language. Duolingo is a great way to move that conversation forward.
5. Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures
Would I love for my daughter to play with real Barbies instead of an app? Of course. But right now, this version seems more appealing to her. (And to be honest, the VIP access — which is worth the small subscription cost — is less costly and messy than the real thing.) This game is a great way for children to explore the depths of their imagination. As a parent, it's fun to see how my daughter chooses to decorate Barbie's home with no limits.
6. ABC Kids - Tracing & Phonics
One of the best parts about this mobile app is that it's both free of ads and free to play. While my daughter was a bit more fond of it at the beginning of 2020 than she is now in 2021, it was still one of her favorite apps for some time. And as a mom, I loved it too. The characters are adorable, and my daughter's knowledge of the alphabet vastly improved.
7. Peppa Pig: Party Time
Kids who love Peppa will really dig all of the fantastic, well-thought-out Peppa apps available. We have them all, since my daughter was in a pretty huge Peppa phase for about a year — but without a doubt, Peppa Pig: Party Time is the best of the bunch. Not only is it interactive (you and your child can compete against each other in musical chairs, which actually requires a bit of skill to win), it's also adorable. You can help Peppa plan a party from start to finish.
8. Dancely
Dancely is a newer app that we're slowly getting into, but the concept is amazing for kids on the move. If it's too rainy to walk outside, it'll help your kid burn off some energy indoors. You can get a 14-day free trial to see if your kids enjoy it. The Dancely app is a good investment, since it'll never get stale. Music changes up every month, and the content is a lot of fun.
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