What’s the best way to get your kids excited about learning? Turn
it into a game. With more and more technology available, you can download
apps that will have your kids learning without even realizing it. Over
the summer holidays, kids can lose up to 30% of the academic gains they
made in the previous year. Put an end to the summer slide by encouraging
learning through play with these incredible apps.
Gen i Revolution: Teach personal finance to middle and high school students with this fun
app. The players will be faced with sixteen missions to help people in
financial trouble. With Gen i Revolution, earning is learning as they
select their operatives, earn points as they gather information and complete
tasks which teach them about general finance, financial concepts and terminology.
SpellingCity.com: We all know just how difficult spelling can be, but a spelling mistake
on a CV or job application letter or on a college entrance exam could
mean a missed opportunity for your child. Not only will this be a great
life skill to learn, but being able to effectively communicate ideas and
concepts with a healthy vocabulary will help your child to excel on exams
and tests. With over 50,000 words and 60,000 sentences, SpellCity.com
offers K-12 students a fun way to learn to spell while improving their
vocabulary.
Duolingo: Learning a foreign language? Duolingo was voted best Apple app in 2013
and will help your child to memorize words in a foreign language. You
can also lean on other language apps to help your child master a second
language. Some of the better ones include
MindSnacks,
Babbel and
Cat Academy for all those LOL cat fans out there.
Galxyz: This great app helps kids to master basic scientific concepts and scientific
reasoning. This app follows school curriculums to augment what students
learn in class in a fun and engaging way. On a quest to save the natural
curiosity of children from the evil King Dullard, students are taken through
the Next Generation Scientific Standard in the proper sequence as outlined
by the US government.
Cosmic Reactor Arithmetic: A fun game for both parents and kids who want to hone their math skills.
With seven different games and variable difficulty, you can set the parameters
to fit your child’s abilities and grade. Best for students aged
5-12. You can also turn to
Math Ninja or
Mathemagics to practice your math skills while learning basic principles.
Tutor Doctor also works to prevent the summer slide and keep young minds
active over the summer with the
Academic Game Plan. Here students can take just a couple of hours a week to catch up and
forge ahead while having fun. Contact your local tutor Doctor office for
a free consultation.
This summer, you can use screen time constructively to keep your kids learning
and growing while they are having fun. Remember to limit screen time and
set a timer with a shut-off so you don’t always have to be the bad guy.