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Excellent Early Childhood Education Resources
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ELA Apps, Games, and Websites for Early Learners
Endless Wordplay: School Edition
Rhymes, phonetic approach, silly animations help kids construct words
Bottom line: Good, holistic approach to the nitty gritty of constructing words.
Khan Academy Kids
Creative, smart mix of activities for pre-K to 2 is a breath of fresh air
Bottom line: This early-learning standout offers scaffolded, creative learning of foundational skills.
Name Play: a name reading and writing practice kit
Simple but fun games cleverly let prereaders explore familiar names
Bottom line: This collection of name-based mini-games offers a targeted and clever introduction to literacy.
Reading is Fundamental
Teachers and kids explore the wonderful world of reading together
Bottom line: This delightful collection of online books, activities, games, and songs for the preschool set works best when shared with a grown-up.
Montessorium: Intro to Words
Well-crafted app lets emerging readers and writers develop reading skills through word building
Bottom line: Basic reading skills are developed through word building, word play, and letter-sound recognition.
HOMER Learn & Grow
Early learners follow an individualized path of skills and interests to gain literacy skills and more
Bottom line: Top-notch phonics program effectively balances and guides students, but isn't as strong in non-literacy-related topics.
Montessori Letter Sounds - Phonics in English, Spanish, French & Italian
Thoughtfully designed, self-paced games bring letters, sounds to life
Bottom line: A warm, wonderful tool for teaching pre-readers and young language learners solid literacy skills.
Writing Wizard for Kids
Vibrant, playful tracing practice offers unique rewards, fab support
Bottom line: Writing Wizard offers fantastic, customizable tracing practice with interactive rewards.
Pinna
Subscribe for access to quality kids' podcasts, audiobooks, and shows
Bottom line: For engaging, thought-provoking, ad-free content, it's tough to beat Pinna's classroom-friendly offerings for the price.
Lalilo
K–2 literacy program offers comprehensive, adaptive activities
Bottom line: An easy-to-recommend tool thanks to its broad coverage of key skills and nice balance of student-driven and teacher-differentiated learning.
Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos
Kids can "go anywhere, be anything" with vast book and video library
Bottom line: Wonderful and practical way to get kids excited about learning and reading -- the greatness of the classic TV series, updated for the 21st century.
Toontastic 3D
Flexible tool hands kids the reins for creative animated storytelling
Bottom line: Despite some lack of variety and simple drawing tools, Toontastic 3D remains a terrific, versatile storytelling tool.
VocabularySpellingCity
Subscription-based, student-facing app fine for independent practice
Bottom line: A potentially more engaging -- although uneven -- option for your students, if you've got a Premium membership.
News-O-Matic EDU
Daily news stories and supplements keep elementary schoolers current
Bottom line: This highly useful current events platform can be a daily fixture of elementary school classrooms.
Math Apps, Games, and Websites for Early Learners
Elmo Loves 123s
Sesame Street sets the standard for teaching numbers
Bottom line: Elmo Loves 123s takes kids on a learning romp from writing numbers to addition and subtraction.
Gracie & Friends Lemonade Stand
Interactive games thoroughly address small, focused learning goal
Bottom line: Games do a nice job of providing practice with a very specific early math principle; they work even better as part of a whole teaching unit.
DragonBox Numbers
Explore the concept of numbers through puzzles and fun gameplay
Bottom line: Though there are a few kinks, kids experience fun gameplay while internalizing fundamental number concepts.
Love to Count by Pirate Trio
Hundreds of tasks and swashbuckling fun for new math learners
Bottom line: By blending simple math skills into pirate games, Love to Count by Pirate Trio helps kids understand why math matters.
Math Shelf: Early Math Mastery
Adaptive math app reinforces foundational skills
Bottom line: While it's not as polished as other apps, Math Shelf has a steady and thorough approach to exploring foundational math skills.
Montessori 1st Operations
Montessori tools and fun rewards help kids learn math concepts
Bottom line: Montessori 1st Operations helps kids learn math concepts by blending Montessori principles with points, rewards, and fun monsters.
Quick Math Jr.
Cute and clever games teach young learners fundamental skills
Bottom line: A fun way for young kids to learn and build a conceptual understanding of fundamental math skills.
MathBRIX
Building blocks form solid math concepts one brick at a time
Bottom line: Strong tool for independent use without forfeiting conceptual understanding.
Todo Math: School Edition
One arithmetic app fulfills the needs of many learners
Bottom line: A variety of strategies and accommodations make this app classroom-ready for a variety of levels and abilities.
Pattern Shapes, by the Math Learning Center
Virtual pattern blocks with some extra useful teaching tools
Bottom line: If you don't already have a bucket of pattern blocks, or you want a more portable option, this free version may be a great fit for your classroom.
Cyberchase Shape Quest!
AR adds unique twist to geometry, spatial reasoning games
Bottom line: Once kids get a hang of things, this app's puzzles will get them thinking creatively about shapes and spatial reasoning.
Happy Numbers
Carefully scaffolded lessons build a strong math foundation
Bottom line: Depth of concepts covered and expertly paced lessons are sure to develop mathematical thinkers.
ST Math: K-6
Game-based, visual activities get below the surface for deep learning
Bottom line: Great tool for differentiating in-class and at-home math practice.
DreamBox Learning Math
Individualized, game-based math adapts to kids' needs
Bottom line: It's an excellent all-in-one solution for extra math support and practice with solid adaptive tech.
Character & SEL Apps, Games, and Websites for Early Learners
Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings
Songs and activities help kids express, recognize, understand emotions
Bottom line: Daniel Tiger and his friends present excellent examples for kids who are just learning healthy emotional expression.
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Sesame Street winner teaches kids how to keep calm and carry on
Bottom line: Highly effective tool for whole-class instruction or one-on-one intervention.
Kid in Story Book Maker
Easy-to-make personalized stories can help boost social skills
Bottom line: A must-have story creation tool for teachers in special-needs settings.
Toca Tea Party
Pretend play meets social skills at this cute interactive gathering
Bottom line: Beautiful, imagination-provoking app is so easy to use, kids will likely want to return for many more parties.
Super Stretch Yoga HD
Appealing videos inspire kids to move their bodies in new ways
Bottom line: No-stress introduction to 12 yoga poses and the importance of good breathing captures kids' attention and gets them moving.
Peekapak
Complete SEL units in a neat and tidy package
Bottom line: Detailed social and emotional learning lessons provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development and reflection in their students.
QuaverSEL
Shake up SEL lessons with music and movement
Bottom line: Fun for students, easy for teachers, QuaverSEL uses the power of music to boost social and emotional learning.
Emotional ABCs Classroom
Strong learning approach to mastering SEL competencies
Bottom line: Excellent program for teaching young kids emotion identification, regulation, and social relationships.
STEAM Apps, Games, and Websites for Early Learners
Bugs and Bubbles
Fascinating graphics engage as kids practice pre-reading, STEM skills
Bottom line: Great bang for the buck with all the content and stages included.
Peep and the Big Wide World
Pre-K science games, videos shine; related curriculum truly sparkles
Bottom line: Let students dabble with games and videos; be sure to dive all-in to the science curriculum and teacher support.
Mac, Izzy & Friends
Engaging stories, prompts, tools encourage exploration and creation
Bottom line: An engaging assortment of activities encourages creative exploration and expression.
Nico & Nor Wonder Farm
Fun and engaging app will help basic plant growth concepts take root
Bottom line: There's little doubt that this app will help students understand the basics of plant growth, especially if the included lessons are used.
Thinkrolls
Fun physics platformer teaches, engages young elementary students
Bottom line: Highly engaging game packs in physics learning and puzzling fun.
Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity
Open-ended collage maker teaches symbolism and revs up creativity
Bottom line: Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity is a don't-miss art app that encourages creativity at the same time as modeling it.
Easy Stop Motion studio: Introduction to animation
Ideal, easy-to-use way to help kids learn basic animation
Bottom line: This introduction to digital animation offers lots of opportunities for creativity for young students.
ScratchJr
Drag-and-drop programming is an effective intro for budding coders
Bottom line: With a little adult help, this is a rich platform for getting kids into programming and digital creation.
Codeable Crafts
Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks
Bottom line: Kids get a simple peek at computer programming principles by animating stories using code blocks.
Crazy Gears
Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience
Bottom line: A clear, simple, and fun introduction to science and engineering topics that may otherwise feel unapproachable for some kids.
Simple Machines by Tinybop
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Life Skills Apps, Games, and Websites for Early Learners
Cookie Monster's Challenge
Unique games help young kids build essential school-readiness skills
Bottom line: Creative and clever approach helps kids practice important school-readiness skills.
Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem
Fun games require spatial reasoning to help Cat jump out of a tree
Bottom line: Get kids problem-solving and thinking about basic spatial reasoning in a fun, welcoming setting.
Thinking Time Pro - Cognitive Skills for Early Learning
Challenging games stress memory, logic, impulse control, flexibility
Bottom line: Effective and engaging way to address foundational cognitive skills; most kids will need adult support.
Handwriting Without Tears: Wet-Dry-Try Suite for Capitals, Numbers & Lowercase
Classic method offers three-step, low-stress learning approach
Bottom line: Kids get systematic letter- and number-tracing practice, and teachers get lots of data and support.
Todo Telling Time
Top-notch tool for teaching time, from minutes to months
Bottom line: Well-rounded, fun learning game that's ALL about time.
PBS KIDS Lab
Explore outstanding new math and language additions to PBS KIDS family
Bottom line: With PBS-pedigree content that's up to its usual standards of excellence, this is a great, fun resource that ensures high learning potential.
Skill Champ
Foundational-skills-practice tool supports specific learning needs
Bottom line: Well-designed tool for targeted foundational skills practice.
BrainPOP Jr.
Original videos and activities a treasure trove for teachers and students
Bottom line: A unique, video-driven learning platform with tons of topics and resources.
GoNoodle
Brief bursts of physical exercise add classroom fun, build brainpower
Bottom line: In a genre of its own, GoNoodle is a ready-to-go, classroom-friendly exercise program that challenges students to get moving.