Kindergarten is a much more aggressive schooling experience than years back when I myself went over thirty plus years ago. Now, there are even Kindergarten apps to help with learning.
My oldest entered kindergarten this Fall being equipped with knowledge of her alphabet, as well as numbers through at least 20 counting wise.
She even knew how to say and write her name, as well (as you all know from this experience). When I was her age I barely knew how to write my first name let alone my last name, too.
Yet my girl, as well as all kids, need to be able to do this and so much more.
So, to help her, as a teacher and mother alike, I have taken to one of my favorite ways in reinforcing these basic concepts. How? By using hands-on, engaging methods with the use of my very own iPad to do this for her.
The iPad truly has a great many kindergarten apps to help both letters (including phonics) and numbers (counting and simple math) alike.
And yet, they indeed have so many kindergarten apps that I had to take to doing a bit of research and legwork to find out, which would be the best at helping her.
Still as promised to a few of my blogger friends recently, I am sharing which kindergarten apps I found the most helpful for us.
So without further ado, here are the four kindergarten apps (2 for letters and 2 for math) that we used…
1. Splash Math – Grade K Math:
Truly allows kids to get started with Math practice in a fun way, because it is a visual app that helps visual learners with pictures and problem solving, too (and also aligned with the Common Core Standards). It is fun, because it is set up as a game that as the child advances to each new level they get prizes of animals and trees/bushes to add their virtual jungle.
The app teaches not teaches and practices counting numbers, but also adds in kindergarten addition, subtraction and other basic math concepts such as simple geometry with shapes – 2D/3D figures, as well. Parents can even tailor their kids math lessons, like I set Emma’s to practice 11-20, since she is very comfortable with 1-10, I wanted to give her as much exposure to the numbers 11-20 as much as I could.
Get it here.
2. Counting Caterpillar (Math):
This one is purely for counting (number skills) and actually goes up to 100. The concept is that the caterpillar is hungry. Your child has to feed the caterpillar the correct numbers in sequence. You can count by 1’s (1-10, the 11-20 and so on), 2’s, 5’s and 10’s.
We have only really used the 1’s so far, but for Emma who has only gone up to 20 before this, she has already learned so many of the numbers after counting and has been having so much fun being rewarded with different pretty colored butterflies that counting has become fun and definitely not a chore to her.
It might not have as much detail as Splash Math with other math concepts, but still for counting skills this one is not only a great resource, but fun for kids, too.
Get it here.
3. MyABC (7 in 1): Write & Learn Alphabets & Letter Sounds:
Not only can kids learn how to write and pronounce each of the 26 letters in the alphabet with animals or foods using visual images, but this app also includes fun games with 12 matching games, 4 square face games, alphabet sorting game and 3 recognizing pattern games, too. Plus, parents can create ABCs words sets, images and sounds, too for up to 20 word lists.
Bottom line this app not only helps your child letter how to write and be comfortable with the letter sounds, but have fun once again while doing this.
Get it here.
4. ABC Pocket Phonics:
Teaches the basics of reading and writing to young kids by helping kids with their letter sounds, first words and even handwriting. It happens to be aligned with the Common Core State Standards (which love it or hate it is what most school country wide are indeed using).
The thing I love about this app is that not only does it help in learning how to pronounce one letter at a time like the letter, “C”, “A”, “T” but also builds upon the letters to how how to blend theme easily together, so that they can say the letters together to pronounce the word, “CAT”.
All together kids, can learn over 160 words this way. For the writing portion, kids can write in either upper or lowercase and even script for older kids, as well. On top of all this, there is parent portal where you can keep track of your child’s progress. And as the child learns one word, it then begins to recognize that the child can be challenged to indeed learn another, new word, too.
Get it here.
[Tweet “Get #kindergarten #apple #app help with letters and numbers help here”]
So, there you have it 4 note worthy iPad apps that we use and are happy to share to help your little ones with their letter sounds and numbers, too!
*A side note this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape or form. Just did the legwork and research on my own for learning apps and wanted to Pay It Forward and share with my readers who may be looking for some learning resources and help for their little ones.*
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
That’s a great app, only we don’t have an iPad. Well I do, but my kids aren’t allowed near it 🙂
Rosey says
Kindergarten is big time! I like apps that reinforce or help along the learning! I love the first day of school pic. 🙂 Have a great Monday!
Seana Turner says
I am all about using the current technology in a positive way. These apps look great, and they are much more fun than the way we used to learn these things. Although I was just watching a retrospective on School House Rock, whose jingles I can still sing and from whom I learned a lot:)
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I love educational APPS. Caleb has lots for his IPAD. It is just such a great way to learn. Thanks for sharing these kindergarten ones. I know they will help a lot of kids learn while having fun.
Blessings,
Diane
thedoseofreality says
I am downloading every single one of these apps today…even though Abby is already in 1st grade, she needs practice! She loves playing on the iPad, so these will be PERFECT! Cracking up at the door!-Ashley
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says
Thank you for these Janine. You’re the best. I’ve actually been looking for a few new apps for Madison. She has the iPad Mini that she got for her 2nd birthday that is filled with apps for her. She has quite a few of the Fisher-Price ones that we just absolutely love and the ones from Tiggly of course, but now she seems to be getting bored with the same things so this is great. Will be downloading these today. You’re the best!!
Echo says
Fantastic list of apps, Janine! I will be downloading some of these!
Dara says
thank you for these, I plan to download some for Simon soon!
Carrie Groneman says
Janine, Thank you for letting us know about these wonderful teaching tools now available for kids and grand kids. Have you considered making a list for Christmas of your favorite products (affiliate links), with a rating by you for low budget as well as high? You are so knowledgeable about these things it would really help the rest of us know what is best for our money. You are amazing! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Rabia @TheLiebers says
My son loves Monkey Math! He’s really getting the hang of counting and patterns with it.
Jen says
We are finally going to get an ipad this Christmas. Maybe even a couple. My kids are already pre-celebrating! I will most definitely look into these apps when we do.
Bev says
Last year I did some work for a start-up that was putting together a database of apps for teachers and how they aligned to the common core standards. I remember seeing some of these, plus a TON of really awful ones. It’s nice to see someone share some quality ones!
Kim says
It’s amazing how much has changed just since my boys were little. We didn’t even have a laptop (just a PC) when they were little. Now we all have laptops, iPads, iPhones…..I love that there are so many educational apps!
Camille says
Thanks for sharing. 🙂 And how cute are they sitting on the couch together, sharing nicely?!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I’m always on the lookout for learning/educational apps but I hadn’t encountered these ones yet! Awesome! I love hearing of other apps that are mom approved (it saves me the time from downloading and deleting)!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
another jennifer says
Thank you, Janine! I am going to download these now. Biz could definitely benefit from these.
Jhanis says
I like the Counting Caterpillar and the ABC Pocket Phonics! Thanks for sharing Janine!
Ginny Marie says
We have full day Kindergarten in our school district, and the kids are expected to be reading by the time they leave and go to first grade. That’s very different from the way I grew up! We make sure all our preschool students know how to write their name, and we also teach letters and sounds. Any practice at home helps SO much!
Dana says
It’s amazing how in just a few years the iPad has become such a learning tool for kids. Mine didn’t have any of these options. Now I see kids everywhere using these apps!
Kerri says
Try Monkey Preschool Lunchbox app. They get ‘stickers’ and it isn’t too annoying for the parent 🙂 They work on colors, sorting, sizes, matching, numbers and counting. It is probably more for preschoolers but Bridget really does well with it.
Tamara says
I wish I had an iPad! My uncle, who is a total anti-technology former teacher, even admitted that iPads have great learning opportunities. He pretty much lives on his and he loves to let the nieces and nephews use the kid apps.
The Pinterested Parent says
Our daughter loves the Ipad & has learned a ton from it. We do ABC mouse & it is amazing. These all look great too. They may be a little advanced for my munchkin, bit I have long since realized that I should not underestimate her. I will have to look into these.
Brittnei says
We’ve used apps to help JR learn his letters and now numbers too. I’m definitely going to keep these in mind as he gets older. With some of the games he’s been doing on the PBS Kids website, I have to pay attention to see if he’s learning something new or if he’s just learning to repeat what they are saying. He’s learned a lot of vocabulary just from playing the games, but I keep listening to see what he’s ready to learn next because you’re right! They are so much quicker than we were back in the day!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
What an awesome app!! You already know I am going to download this for both boys. I might have missed it but is it available for android tablets?
Kenya G. Johnson says
We had a good app for telling time. I’ll see if I can find it because it’s not on the iPad anymore. I’ll let you know. Also I am not sure what level TenMarks starts at but it’s good for math also. We used to use the Splash apps. TenMarks is good for summer refreshing when they are at the age that they can work on their own. You can set incentives – like after they complete so many levels you can reward them. Christopher’s motivation was money. So he got $10 after passing ten levels. He would try to rush and do a bunch in a day but it’s not easy so it would take him almost two weeks to earn it. Btw we are both reading Wonder 😉
Kenya G. Johnson says
Money was the only thing that would get him excited. I had go for ice cream, Pizza night and stuff like that but those are things we do anyway so he wasn’t interested. The “time” app is by Jungle Time. When I was looking it up I saw a million others. So considering it was an app I downloaded with the first iPad I am sure there are better ones by now. I do remember that it was annoying so we turned the sounds of the animals off but it is how he learned how to tell time when he was five. I’ll definitely get back to you on Wonder. I try to keep up with him so though I’d love to finish it, it may be December before we’re done. He just reads that book for a few minutes before bed.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Technology is so great these days. My kids did use a reading program that they really liked but none of them completed it. When my oldest son was going through, they didn’t expect you to read in kindergarten, two years later when my daughter was going through, it still wasn’t that big of a deal. In fact, I didn’t even realize she was reading until her teacher said something to me…how bad is that? By the time my youngest went through, it was completely different. And I am sure they have even higher expectations now!
Sharon, The Mayor says
Have you tried xtramath.org. My kindergarden and second grader use this app/website to reinforce their math skills. Plus, it’s free!!
Aunt Gloria says
It is a brave new world with iPad and apps. Lucky for Emma and Lily their mom is a teacher and a smart lady! I think they got that gene too! xxoo