iTunes – Beijing Kids https://www.beijing-kids.com Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 Stay an App Ahead – Hip Hop Hen: abc flashcard songs https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/11/09/stay-an-app-ahead-hip-hop-hen-abc-flashcard-songs/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/11/09/stay-an-app-ahead-hip-hop-hen-abc-flashcard-songs/#respond

This app made its debut as an editor’s choice and featured app for the iPad on the iTunes kids’ store and was developed by teachers from the UK. The developing company Hip Hop Hen has other educational based apps that are worth a download. The app focus on phonics taking children through learning the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they represent (phonemes). 

Features
The abc flashcard songs has over 30 fun interactive pages that has a catchy phonic song. The graphics are a good balance of alluring without being too distracting. The app’s method of teaching the child is through the use of a game, which is to collect all the images that begin with the specific letter sound and get a star points. The image glows and an audio recording name the pictures when the screen is touched.

Drawback
This is not a major drawback but more to do with preference as the app follows the UK Primary National Strategy from Phase 2 and Phase 3, which contains 26 single letter sounds and 9 consonant blends such as ‘th’, ‘ck’ and ‘ch’.

Ages: 4+
Category: Education
Content: Games
Platform: iPad only
Language: English
Price: USD 4.99

 

Photos: iTunes

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/11/09/stay-an-app-ahead-hip-hop-hen-abc-flashcard-songs/feed/ 0 ‘Twas an Appy Year: 2013 Top 10 Kids Apps https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/01/04/twas-an-appy-year-2013-top-10-kids-apps/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/01/04/twas-an-appy-year-2013-top-10-kids-apps/#respond

A new year might mean new beginnings but it is also time to take a look back at what made last year so special. The launch of the kids app store made is easier to track what apps made the Editors Choice 2013 in the iTunes store. The only drawback is that this applies to the iOS system but some of the apps can be found in the Andriod stores and Amazon. Despite the top 10 stressing one constant factor of fun activities, there are educational and learning apps on this list that are not game focused. Here is your list:

 

Duolingo by Duolingo
Apple app store says Learn a new language on the go through engaging mini-games that test your reading, writing, and speaking skills. With Duolingo, you can challenge yourself to achieve new high scores or compete against friends to earn badges that keep you motivated. Easily track your progress across devices and share your accomplishments as you master up to nine languages and 50 games—all available for free.

iTunes, Google Play, Amazon (free)

Endless Alphabet by Originator Inc
Amazon says: Kids will have a blast learning their ABC’s and building vocabulary with the adorable monsters in Endless Alphabet. Each word features an interactive puzzle with talking letters and a short animation illustrating the definition. Before you know it, your child will be using words like gargantuan and cooperate!

iTunes: USD 5.99 and Google Play: Free

Friendstrips Kids Pro by PhotoinPress
The iMums.com says: Friendstrip Kids Pro is a universal app that allows your child to star in their own comic strips. The app includes sixteen different themes, each with a selection of comic strips, they are all included in the app. There is also a free version of the app available with an IAP to unlock all the themes. The app includes an option to share photos or comic strip via Facebook or email, this is child locked with password protection.

iTunes: USD 1.99 (all collections) and Google Play: USD 1.99

Toca Hair Salon-Me by Toca Boda AB
This app has various version available but the one talked about is the Toca Hair Salon Me. iTunes says Become the star of the famous Toca Hair Salon in this endearing outing from the kid-friendly developers at Toca Boca. Just take a picture of yourself, and you can become a character with the ability to add and style new hairdos. As you grow, color, trim, and accessorize your new look, you can let your imagination and creativity take over. It’s a captivating experience for all ages.

iTunes: USD 2.99

The Human Body by TinyBop
Apple app store says: Learning anatomy has never been easier thanks to this fun, kid-friendly alternative to classrooms and textbooks. By tapping on interactive layers of the human body, users young and old can see various parts and systems in action: lungs breathe, muscles bend, ears listen, and nerves respond to a pinprick. Plus, simple one-touch recording lets children leave questions for an adult to answer later, encouraging discussion of the many processes they’ve observed in this amazing, informative app.

iTunes: USD 2.99

Dora Appisode: Perrito’s Big Surprise by Nickelodeon Group
App description: Now your child can play along with Dora and friends in one of their favorite Dora episodes, Perrito’s Big Surprise! This new interactive appisode allows your child to lead Dora, Boots and Dora’s puppy Perrito through their adventure. Find stars along the way for added fun and rewards. Dora and Boots have a big surprise for Perrito on Surprise Hill and it’s up to your child to get them there before Swiper! Your child will help choose which way to go, pet and feed Perrito, and flap Yoyo’s wings.

iTunes: USD 3.99

Sago Mini Doodlecast by Sago Sago
App description: Sago Mini Doodlecast is a unique drawing app that records your voice as you draw. Capture every stroke, word and giggle. Perfect for children ages 2-6. Play back your drawings and share them with friends and family. Sago Mini Doodlecast comes with more than 30 drawing prompts – simple questions designed to inspire your child’s imagination.

iTunes: free

Color Zen Kids by Large Animals Games
Amazon says: Color Zen is a new kind of puzzle game for phones and tablets. One that invites you to put on your headphones, relax, and find your way through an abstract world of colors and shapes. There is no score. No penalties for failure. Just a simple set of rules, intuitive controls, and satisfying puzzles.

iTunes: USD 2.99, Amazon (free) and Google Play (free)

Disney Animated by Disney and Touch (Apple’s iPad App of the Year 2013)
iTunes app store says: We’re absolutely spellbound by this all-star collaboration between Disney and acclaimed app developer Touch Press. From 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to today’s animated hits, this unique retrospective presents the studio’s 90-year history with interactive character models and storyboards, insights into animation techniques, and a mind-blowing spectrogram that visualizes every cel of all 53 feature films.

iTunes: USD 9.99 and iPad only

Little Red Riding Hood by Nosy Crow
iTunes says: Nosy Crow’s spin on the beloved fairy tale is sure to win the hearts of yet another generation with delightfully fresh characters and marvelous, detailed illustrations. Because the storyline itself changes with the decisions and paths you choose, rediscovering this classic tale in a new way with your kids (or on your own) is a great pleasure. It is one of the best apps of 2013.

iTunes app store: USD 5.99

 

Photos courtesy of appannie.com

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/01/04/twas-an-appy-year-2013-top-10-kids-apps/feed/ 0 Top 10 Fun Educational Apps For Children Aged 3 and Above https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/08/12/top-10-fun-educational-apps-for-children-aged-3-and-above/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/08/12/top-10-fun-educational-apps-for-children-aged-3-and-above/#respond  

The beginning of the new school year has already started for some while the other lot waits patiently to start next week. Educational apps can help get kids in the right frame of mind for school in an exciting graphical way but most importantly learn something new. Here is a list of the top ten educational apps to help kick out the holiday mood.These apps are also fun for adults. 

 

LetterSchool
Handwriting with a little of phonics come together in this fun app as children get to learn how to trace letters (numbers from one to ten) in both upper and lower case. After the child finishes tracing the letters, they come to life and retrace their shapes with gorgeous animations. Then once they feel confident children can write without any help. It’s beautiful and absorbs children whilst they learn the shapes and sounds of letters.
 
Available version for the iPad and iPhone for RMB 18 or USD 2.99
 
Reading Raven
This is a step-by-step phonics-teaching app that engages a child’s interest with the exciting illustrations in the form of an adventure for every lesson. The app is designed to give young readers from the age of three to seven a foundation in reading.
 
Available version for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad for RMB 18 or USD 2.99
 
Meteor Math
An ‘explosive’ maths challenge with an arcade game feel – find two numbers to make the answer shown on the planet and watch as they explode! The game gets faster as you go up through the levels and it becomes exciting and challenges children to solve the sums more quickly. A great way of improving speed of mental maths. 
 
Available version for iPod, iPad and iPhone for free
 
Endless Alphabet
It has an ‘endless’ amount of words to choose from. Once you have picked your word – find the letters and pop them in the right place. As you pick them they make their sound and once placed they tell you their ‘name’. Once completed you hear a definition of the word. The only downside is this uses all upper case lettering. 
 
Available for iPad and iPhone for RMB 18 or USD 2.99
 
Barefoot Atlas
This is a really stunning app that allows children to explore an interactive 3D globe. It features the usual gorgeous illustrations you expect from Barefoot Books. It is much better viewed in a tablet.
 
Available for iPhone and iPad for RMB 30 or USD 4.99
 
Duo Lingo
A lovely and well designed app that helps you learn Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and English.  Learn new words and phrases easily whilst being tested along the way to reinforce your understanding and your learning. This a surprisingly fun and absorbing app.
 
Available for free on both iTunes and Android
 
Math Bingo
This is a simple concept and a great app for testing children on their mental maths of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Children have to get correct answers on a grid to complete their bingo square. Each right answer earns them a cute monster. The app is a good mix of fun and challenge.
 
Available in iTunes for RMB 0.99 and similar design available for free on Android.
 
Magic Piano
Great for all ages – this nifty little magic piano guides you through playing a variety of tunes on its three keyboards by following beams of light with your fingers. There’s everything from Bruno Mars to Mozart. Helps teach you about rhythm and tempo. Most of all it is enchanting and great fun.
 
Available for free on iTunes and Android
 
Little Writer
A great free app for tracing letters and learning all the sounds and letter formation of the alphabet. Bright colourful pictures make this a really eye catching and engaging app for little ones.
 
Available for free on iTunes
 
Star Walk
A fantastic app for older children. You can find your location and find out what stars you can see from your garden. It has stunning graphics with the use of augmented reality. It even tells you the names of all the planets while still pointed towards the sky. Then, if you point it towards the ground, it shows you what all the stars are in the other hemisphere. A must for any budding stargazers. This app works well with clear Beijing skies though.
 
Available on iTunes for RMB 18 or USD 2.99
 
Sourced from nutmums and Appannie
 

Photo courtesy of Intel Free Press (Flickr)

 

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