Top 5: Kids Apps with Gamified Learning
Studies in education have long shown that students tend to learn the most when they’re having fun. So how can teachers and parents transform a subject that some kids think are boring into something that is exciting and motivating? The answer: make each topic more like a game to play or a puzzle to solve!
Gamification is a somewhat new and fascinating concept that takes elements of video game design and applies them to non-game contexts, such as an educational activity or app. When it comes to learning, technology makes it possible to apply game-like elements to interactive educational play so that kids can have genuine fun while learning. Not only does this help children learn more, but it helps to turn around sour attitudes towards subjects and topics they deem mundane or boring.
Let’s take a look at 5 different apps that have successfully gamified their platforms to make for a truly enriching and enjoyable learning experience for kids!
1. The Talented and Gifted app by Kids Academy
The Talented and Gifted app offers a comprehensive all-in-one learning platform that is designed to boost a child’s skills and abilities in subjects across the curriculum. Tailored to the specific needs of kids in preschool through the third grade of elementary school, this app allows kids to learn in a few different ways. Kids can work at their own pace along a chosen learning path that consists of topics and lessons filled with different types of activities, like videos, quizzes, worksheets and games. Alternatively, they can go to the Adventure Land and pick quick practice on a collection of different topics from ELA and math. The best part is the embedded gaming elements, such as an interactive dress up game that allows learners to earn rewards and customize a character to their liking. In addition, games within each lesson allow kids a chance to interact with what they learn to prove mastery in a fun way that’s more like playing a video game!
2. LingoKids
Also designed for kids from ages 2-8, LingoKids offers something the company calls a “Playlearning experience”. This means that learners experience the app through interactive activities, videos, games, and songs. Like other “smart” forms technology, this app adjusts and learns from a child’s interaction with it and automatically adapts the level of difficulty and progression through the concepts based upon a learner’s progress.
In addition, adorable characters, like Lisa the cat, and Billy the chick are included to entice and motivate learners across the activities in the app. This makes for a truly interactive and memorable learning experience that keeps kids engaged.
3. Learn Like Nastya
Play along and learn with your child’s favorite YouTube vlogger, Nastya, with this exciting new app! Learn Like Nastya was created with help of professional educators and is designed with toddlers in mind. It addresses such essential aspects of a child’s immediate environment as family, friends, home, feelings and emotions etc. The app’s diverse activities encourage little learners to explore the wide world around them and get ready for school. The topics also cover introductory skills, such as the alphabet, early phonics skills, vocabulary, number sense, and more! Because this app integrates a beloved famous character, kids are eager play along and explore their natural curiosity for learning alongside Nastya!
4. Monkey Word School Adventure
Like some of the other apps mentioned, Monkey Word School Adventure adapts to your child’s ability level, and many of the included activities allow and encourage kids to make self-corrections to develop mastery of the skills. Gamified elements, such as games that provide learners with a challenge to solve, motivate children as they progress through the app. Activities automatically progress to the next level and/or challenge to keep kids moving and learning.
Just like its name infers, this app focuses on early literacy skills, such as ABCs, phonics, spelling, and writing to enhance a child’s early reading and writing skills. Kids who struggle with reading and phonics will greatly benefit from this fun and motivating app to boost their abilities.
5. Pocket Worlds—Learning Game
Pocket Worlds is different and especially intriguing because it creates an environment where children explore different worlds, while learning early academic concepts such as shapes and, sorting, numbers, and colors. The backdrop of exploration is interlaced throughout the app to provide a motivating learning experience for all. Themed games and worlds provide a gamified experience that weaves game-like elements into learning tasks that your child will truly enjoy.
It’s clear that gamified apps are here to stay and hold an enormous potential to boost a child’s early academic skills to enhance overall learning across the early elementary years. When learning is paired with gaming, kids benefit not just by increasing their skills, but by forming healthy and positive attitudes towards learning that will last for years to come!
