To help parents working at home during coronavirus, InHerSight decided to ask a kid which educational apps are the most entertaining. These are her top picks in her own words.
My name is Elizabeth. I’m 8 years old. I’m in second grade, almost third. I love to play sports, and my favorite subject is math. I have been doing schoolwork from my house so I can keep learning and getting smarter while coronavirus is taking over the world.
My parents thought it was a good idea for me to write about the apps we use at home to help other people if they are looking for good apps for their kids now that we don’t have school. These are some learning apps that my teachers recommended for my class. Here’s a little bit about each one to help you decide if these apps are a good idea for your kids.
Read more:How to Work from Home with Kids
Prodigy
What it is: A (mostly) free math game for elementary-age kids that features skill-building math questions
Where to find it:Prodigy website, Apple Store, Google Play
Elizabeth’s review: The thing I like about Prodigy is that it is really fun, but you also learn. You are a wizard in the game, and you try to defeat monster things and that earns you points. You can also use the points to buy better wands, wizard robes, pets, helmets, and other things. You can even play it with friends. I play it with my neighbor now that we can’t play outside together. The thing I do not like is that some of the best things cost money.
Epic
What it is: A subscription-based, interactive digital library of popular kids books, ebooks, and videos
Where to find it:Epic’s website, Apple Store, Google Play
Elizabeth’s review: Epic is really, really relaxing if you are smad* or if you just like to listen to or read books. There are comics, read-to-me books, and audiobooks. I also like that they recommend books, and that when you open a book, they save it for you. My favorite Epic book so far is Backcourt Battle. It’s about basketball.
*Editor’s note: “Smad” is feeling both sad and mad at the same time. This is perfect and relatable. A mood.
IXL
What it is: A subscription-based, personalized learning platform for kids of all ages with content that varies by subject matter and grade level
Where to find it:IXL website, Apple Store, Google Play
Elizabeth’s review: IXL is a really good way of learning with your teacher or by yourself. IXL does not ask you to work as fast as you can. They do not want that. You can take as long as you want. Also, your teacher can see your score and how long you work on it. The only thing I do not like about it is it sometimes stresses me out. You should take a break every couple of minutes.
BrainPOP Jr.
What it is: A fun and interactive learning platform that uses games and videos to teach kids about a science, history, arts and culture, and more
Where to find it:BrainPOP Jr. website, App Store, Google Play
Elizabeth’s review: BrainPOP is a good way of learning. It can teach you why sugar is bad and how to take care of your body. You can learn about things like the governor and the mayor, and what it takes to lead a community. Or how to make different kinds of poems. To learn all of this, you watch a video. The video is very short. After the video, you take a quiz and try to get five out of five on the questions.
Inventeca
What it is: An app that uses illustrations from authors of children’s books to bring stories to life
Where to find it:Inventeca's website, Apple Store, Google Play
Elizabeth’s review: This isn’t a school app, but it is one my mom has on her phone. It is very good for storytelling. The thing I really like about it is that I can just make up the story and I do not have to think about the characters’ voices. I also like that I can share my stories with my grandparents.
