Prevent Summer Learning Loss with Educational Apps for Kids
Summer is a time for fun and learning. Luckily, thanks to creative educational apps and technologies, summer fun and learning can happen simultaneously for elementary kids. Educational apps help young learners retain more between June and August, making them more prepared for back to school.
Children can lose a significant amount of what they learned in the preceding year if they don’t remain engaged during the summer months. The summer slide can be even more severe in some subjects, like math.
According to the Oxford Learning Center:
- The equivalent of one month of learning is lost after summer vacation
- 2.6 months of math skills are lost over the summer
- 2 months of reading skills are lost over the summer
- 6 weeks are spent re-learning old material in the fall to make up for summer learning loss
Let’s look at how some free educational apps can help your kids get the most out of summer learning and hit the ground running in the fall.
Duolingo
Significant research studies have shown that being bilingual helps students multitask, develop competency in math, and more easily manage control mechanisms like motivation and emotional regulation. It also better prepares them to relate to the diverse cultural world.
Duolingo makes learning a foreign language fun! Choose from over a dozen languages and practice listening, reading, talking, and writing for an immersive language learning experience. For students struggling or just starting with English language learning, they also offer Duolingo ABC.
PBS Kids
The PBS Kids website has many apps that provide children access to hours of educational entertainment. They can even watch their favorite PBS shows!
This is perfect for long summer drives or cooling down after playing outside.
Prodigy
Prodigy is an engaging and adaptive app that kids love. They go on an exciting, fantasy-based adventure while developing math and English skills aligned with the curriculum for grades 1 through 8.
Players explore a vast world where they can play with friends, complete quests, and rescue pets as they answer math questions to win battles and advance through the game.
NASA
Kids are naturally curious about the universe around them. By cultivating this in our youngest learners, we can help shape the discoveries and technologies of the future.
NASA has an app for both iOS and Android that features a video streaming service, thousands of images and videos, and augmented reality. Users can even learn about the latest news from NASA and receive mission alerts.
There are enough exciting features to keep children of any age interested and engaged, and it’s all free!
Math Games
The Math Games app grows with your child. It has math games for preK through grade 8, each specifically designed to test and improve the mathematical skills recommended by Common Core Standards. Because it’s browser-based, the games can be played on nearly any device.
Learning to solve math problems helps kids better grasp mathematical concepts and connect them to life experiences. This educational app was designed by psychologists and teachers based on how children learn.
Plenty of educational apps are great for students of all ages, even adults who still love to learn! What are some of your favorites?
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