As an experienced Early Years Specialist Teacher I have often been asked by parents how they can support their children's learning at home through he use of computers and tablets. There are a range of paid and free apps as well as several websites that I have used and recommend for young children. Here are my favourites:
1,Nursery Rhymes TV https://www.youtube.com/user/NurseryRhymesTV1
I'm a keen advocate of how music can help children learn in a fun and engaging way. I have used this youtube channel with many nursery/reception classes. It contains familiar traditional rhymes and songs as well as some updated and modernised versions. The songs are accompanied by really lovely visuals to help engage young children.
2, Kids TV123 https://www.youtube.com/user/KidsTV123
Another YouTube favourite is Kids TV123. This site has a lot of songs geared towards the Maths and English areas of development. There are some great catchy phonics songs as well as counting, shape space and measure and positional language songs. The videos are very professional and children love them! A must try!
3, Poisson Rouge. https://www.poissonrouge.com
This is a French website but has English translation. It is a great site in my opinion, especially for toddlers through to 5 years. It has bright, colourful and fun games and puzzles. I have found it very useful in Creative development areas such as art and music. It has online colouring books, an online music keyboard, puzzles and games. It used to be free but unfortunately it is now £15 a year for family membership but there are a few free to play activities so you can try before you buy. It i also a tablet/phone friendly site.
4, Fish School - App store/Google Play Store
Fish School exposes your preschooler to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. Brightly colored schools of fish form letters, shapes, and the numbers 1–20, and your child can make the fish swim and do funny things with a simple touch and drag. Fish School is the winner of a Parents' Choice Gold Award and a Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice Award.Ages 2 and upFor Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
5, Phonics Ninja - App Store
Your preschooler can slash his/her way through letter sounds, blends, and diagraphs with this cute ninja. The game uses sight, sound, and touch to help your child learn important phonics skills, and has three difficulty settings. You can even record your own audio clues, so your child can hear your voice, or even their own, in the game. Ages 4 and upFor iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
These are my top 5 websites/apps. If you would like to suggest your own then please comment to this blog post. Thank you for reading!
By Mark Ammon - Early Years Specialist Teacher on behalf of http://www.orchidale.co.uk
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