Fav Educational Apps of the Week — Breana Stallings Photography

I know this may be a controversial topic for some, but just hear me out. I allow my son to use my iPad for educational games. The fact is, he likes it and I like that he's being entertained + educated. Plus, it allows me to write or edit during the day. There are certain apps that I've found that have benefited my son so much, and I wanted to pass along the information

Today we're going to cover two of the apps I've had the longest time. First up, the oh so infamous, YouTube Kids.

I LOVE THIS APP! I was introduced to YouTube Kids when it initially launched in February of 2015. It's chock full of content specifically designed and tailored for children. My then 1 year old loved to explore and make the app make sounds, and my now 3 1/2 year old is able to independently navigate the site on his own. The videos that he watches always coincide with his interests at that time, and because of YouTube's algorithms, every time he goes on the site, the initial videos are always tailored for him.

The app comes with a timer that, when the time has run out, has a face animation that appears on the screen and goes to "sleep", drool and snoring included. SO CUTE! Because my son reads his numbers, he has learned to unlock and start his time over, so I've implemented the rule that only Mommy or Daddy can unlock it. *Tip: when YouTube time is over but tablet time isn't, I turn off the data and WiFi on the iPad, completely disabling the app. I've read about parents coming across inappropriate videos. While that's never been my experience in the two years since its launch, I'm always in earshot of him while he's on the app to be sure.

My overall impression is that while it isn't a perfect app, its beautiful, my kid LOVES it, and I've seen firsthand how much it has taught him. Can't get much better than that!

Next up, Pandora.

Music is magic. Jordan loves to listen to music, and I feel comfortable allowing him to navigate the site (mostly) by himself. Plus, it's just nice to have a fun atmosphere that doesn't involve a T.V. or other visual stimulation. I also like it because it's helped him to learn patience. He's learned that he must wait for his favorite songs to come on. He can't control the songs that are played, so enjoy the variety of music. It introduces him to different songs he might not otherwise give a chance because it's not "Happy and You Know It" haha

I know this may not be every mama's cup of tea. And while I understand and respect those opinions, I've seen just how much my son has benefited from being exposed to interactive electronics. As everything becomes more and more digital, I want to ensure that he is up to speed and comfortable, but also help him to understand how to navigate and be safe.

Do you allow your child(ren) to use electronics like tablets or iPads? What apps do you and your kids like? Tell me in the comments.

Talk to you soon!