How to use apps and video games to reinforce learning

I frequently get asked what I use and how I teach my daughter the subjects of math and reading.  One great tool our generation is privileged to have is technology. There are mixed opinions on the positives and negatives of exposing children to media.  Well, my daughter watches TV, plays video games, and sings pop songs from Kidz Bop.  She also reads, has math knowledge listed in our state's third grade curriculum, and can categorize and graph scientific data so I don't think her exposure is hindering her educational development. It's all a matter of how you use these technological tools. There are virtual books, apps, video games, learning songs on YouTube, and so much more.  It is not enough to just make a play list of videos or download the games.  You need to actually use varied forms of media and other tools to reinforce skills you have worked on together.   Don't just introduce a concept in a single game or episode of their favorite show and expect it to stick.  Make it the lesson of the week.  This post will include how to use different learning tools to create a lesson for your child, an example of how I've done that with Aly, apps we love for learning, and a DIY activity described below.

An Example of How to Use Multiple Learning Tools to Teach the Same Lesson

We are currently working on phonics blends.  Many parents know to teach their children the basic phonic sounds of the letters.  The next step is phonic blends, which are sounds such as SH, CH, WH, TR. One activity I've seen done in a Kindergarten classroom involves sorting pictures based on the phonic blend sound.  You select four phonic blends and place each one in its own section of a four section tray.  Then, the students are given picture cards to sort. For example, using the sounds mentioned above the cards might be pictures of a shark, a chair, a whale, and a train.  We have a DIY set of these I came up with to practice phonic blends. See the end of this post for how to make your own set.  In addition to having a hands on activity, we also have a learning app on my iPhone by Brain Beanz called Blend Seeker.  It is a video game that basically does the same thing.  My daughter loves sea creatures so the star fish and other under sea characters make this game extra fun for her.  When they answer correctly enough times they get a virtual sticker for for that specific blend. When they select that sticker, they are given a review.  The review contains a sea anemone that says, "I'm hungry. Feed me." Then bubbles float up from the sea floor with pictures.  You need to select the right pictures for that phonic blend or it says "Yuck!"  Then continue the lesson by reading a book containing words with the blends from your activity.  Point out the word to the child.  Saying something like, "Look, a whale. What are the first two letters of the word whale? What sound do those letters make together."   Follow it up with an episode of Word World.  A specific one I like is the one where Shark is introduced.   Duck thinks he is a sssss-hark and doesn't find out until the end that he is a Sh-ark.  They episode addresses how letter sounds can change when two specific letters combine.

So we have had a hands on activity, a video game, a book, and a TV show.  Take it one step further by identifying any signs in the mall, reading labels on food products, or someone t shirt that has a blend you know.  That is what I call Creative Learning.  Depending on your child's age and development consider explaining simply to them why they need to learn blends.  I tell my daughter, "When you know all the letter sounds you can read a book all by yourself!"
Keep in mind that this is actually a Kindergarten standard for Arizona.  It may take a few tries before your child gets the concept, especially if they are in the 2-3 year range.  When teaching younger children concepts intended for older children:
1) Be patient.
2) Show them how to do it the first couple times.
3) If they struggle, allow them to copy you.  Then when they are confident, introduce one new card.
4) If they get upset, stressed or bored quit the activity.
5)Be positive and tell them what they did well at the activity.

You can use this reinforcement technique for any number of subjects.  I have even designed lessons around a specific episode of a TV show she likes.  While math and reading are impressive subjects for showing off your child's knowledge, don't forget the focus should be a well rounded education.  There are science, social studies, art, music, technology, and physical education standards included in states curriculum for a reason.  Teach to what your child is enjoys. Not every 3,4, or 5 year old will want to sit and sort phonic blends.  If they like bugs, make it a science lesson about what bugs need to live, like to eat, where they live, or if they go through metamorphosis.  Don't assume a subject matter is too advanced if they seem engaged and interested.   If you would like help developing lessons for your child, leave a comment with their age, favorite thing, and what subject or skill you want them to learn.

DIY Phonic Blend Sorting

My DIY version of the Kindergarten store bought set I saw involved some sort of sorting tray, paper, and stickers.  For the tray you can use whatever you already have: an egg carton, a sectioned child's plate, Tupperware lunch container, scrabble tile holders, or just plenty of room on a flat surface. Find a list of phonic blends online. One link I like is  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/consonantblends/
Cut at least 3-4 paper squares for each blend sound.  Use stickers or drawing pictures with markers that have beginning sounds that match the blends.  Show them how the game works. Consider rewarding them with a special sticker to wear.

My Favorite Learning Apps

These are all apps I use with my 3 year old daughter.  Some apps have content that meet standards as high as fourth grade while others are very basic.  These apps are in random order but are all Aly and Mommy approved.  This is just a list of what we use, not reviews.  If you have a specific question about an app post it in the comment section.

Science

1) Earth Science Flashcards by Kindergarten.com
free

2) Animal Flashcards by Kindergarten.com
free

3) Sid's Science Fair by PBS Kids
$2.99

4) Smarty Shortz 1st Grade by Smarty Shortz LLC
$2.99 for all subject or .99 for just science

5) Complete Toddler Preschool by Toddler Teasers
Worth spending $2.99 for all 30 categories rather than .99 for each category.
Science categories include Tools, Seasons, Mammals, Birds, Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians, Bugs, and Animals.

6) Learn Sharks by Live Doodles
free

Social Studies

1) Stack the States Lite by Dan Russell-Pinson
free for the lite version, worth buying for older kids
If your child like this they might like Stack the Countries Lite, though we haven't tried it yet.

2)Smarty Shortz 1st Grade by Smarty Shortz LLC
$2.99 for all subject or .99 for just social studies


Virtual Books

Smurf Classics by istory time
free
Dog Story by TabTales
free
Wizard of Oz by TabTales
free
Meet Biscuit by istory time
free
Wow Wow Wubbzy's Pirate Treasure, GoodTalkApps,
$1.99

Math

1) Team Umizoomi Math by nickelodeon
$2.99

2) Jungle Time - Learn to Tell Time by Andrew Short
.99

3) xGerms Counting by k12 Inc
.99

4) Math Train Free Addition Subtraction by App-Zoo
free

5)  Complete Toddler Preschool by Toddler Teasers
Worth spending $2.99 for all 30 categories rather than .99 for each category.
Math categories include Shapes, Numbers, Money, Fractions, and Roman Numerals with beginning and advanced levels of play.

6) A 2nd Grade Pattern Recognition by Nth Fusion
.99

7) 1st Grade Math: Splash Math by StudyPad Inc.
free

8) Smarty Shortz 1st Grade by Smarty Shortz LLC
$2.99 for all subject or .99 for just social studies

9) Teaching Number Lines by Little Monkey Apps

Language and Reading

1) Dora

2) If You're Happy and You Know It

3)Complete Toddler Preschool by Toddler Teasers
Worth spending $2.99 for all 30 categories rather than .99 for each category.

4) Hot Dots Jr Beginning Phonics by Educational Insights
.99 or free for the lite version

5) First Word Sampler by learning Touch
free

6) ABC Phonics by Abitalk
free

7) Blend Seeker by Brain Beanz
$1.99

8) Phonics Awareness by Bugbrained
free

9) ABC Letter Tracing by Critical Matters, Inc
free

10) Build a Word by WordWorld
lite version is free, .99 for full version

11) Grammar Fun by Paradox Software
free

12) Sight Words Flashcards by App-Zoo
 free

13) ABC Phonics Rhyming by Abitalk
free

14) Phonic Vowels- Short by Abitalk
free