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New mobile apps for kids are popping up every day. How to find really useful programs among the many games? The research team proposes their evaluation criteria. And we are five examples of really successful applications.
Simple puzzles, arcade races and quests – the choice of mobile games for children is limited only by the imagination of the developers. Meanwhile, psychologists are increasingly thinking: will this or that program be useful for the child? Today, more than 75% of all iPad apps are categorized as children’s. Many of them fall into the “training” category. This means that their creators promise not only to entertain the little user, but also to help him explore the world. Can a little man escaping along the railroad tracks from an angry watchman help a child learn more about the railroad? Maybe it’s a matter of skill: to help the little man escape from persecution, the child must quickly press the right keys. Is this enough to call the application useful for children’s development?
A team of researchers from Northwestern University (USA) used data from psychology, linguistics, computer technology, neuroimaging and neuroscience to analyze a huge number of applications. As a result, scientists were able to determine the criteria that a program must meet in order to truly deservedly be called “educational” or “developing” (1).
- Active involvement: the application should be designed so that in order to complete the game tasks, the child needs to strain his mind, and not just poke his finger in the right place at the right time.
- Concentration: avoid apps with too many distractions (sounds, details); the attention of the child should be concentrated on the game tasks.
- Meaningfulness: the game should be relevant to the life of the child, to his daily activities, encourage him to turn to the experience that he already has.
- social interaction: the game should encourage the child to interact with others, teach him to communicate with others, and not replace this communication with interaction with the “gadget”.
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- Learn or play?
Storytelling
With this application, the child can independently learn the letters. To pass the level, you need to find on the screen (and use it for its intended purpose) objects that begin with the letter that the level is dedicated to. But this is only the beginning – the game talks to the child, throws up topics for him to think about, comments on his actions. Psychologists participated in the development of the application.
My household chores
The game invites the child to try himself as a household helper: feed hungry pets, clean up the room by solving small puzzles, catch beautiful fish. All situations are very recognizable. You can go through the game with your child and immediately invite him to try out the gaming skills in the real world.
My Story
Kids love to make up and tell stories so much, and with this app, they can not only create a story, but (with your help) make their own picture book and even record an audio version. You can invite your child to arrange a family performance or make an unusual birthday present for your beloved grandmother.
ATTENTION: the application is in English.
Kidscraft
A real mobile workshop. How to learn to sculpt from plasticine? Glue paper boats or bright postcards with flowers? A child can easily master all these activities by watching detailed master classes with step-by-step instructions from Tatyana Makurova, the author of books for children’s creativity. The application is completely in Russian.
For more information on how to use the app, read and watch videos at kidscraftapp.com
Memory House
In the house of the old Captain, everything is messed up. After the “pranks” of evil spirits, a flower pot from the windowsill can be under the bed, and a hammer – in a cage with a parrot. To put things in order, the child will have to strain his memory and arrange objects in their usual places. Once your little one is comfortable in the captain’s house, you can offer him the “next level” of tidying up his own bedroom and making sure his toys don’t get lost.
This tutorial video will help you figure out how to use the program:
1. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2015, vol. 16, № 1.
All apps can be downloaded from the Apple Store through the iTunes app.