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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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $14.99
Khan Academy Kids
Creative, smart mix of pre-K to K activities is a breath of fresh air
Bottom line: It's tough to stand out in the crowded early learning space, but this collection does just that, offering a one-stop shop for creative learning of foundational skills.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $1.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $4.99
HOMER Reading: Learn to Read
Interactive app engages beginning readers of diverse learning styles
Bottom line: Top-notch phonics program effectively balances and guides students through stories, activities, and games.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free, Free to try Teachers get access to HOMER for free.
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 prereaders and young language learners solid literacy skills.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $4.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $4.99 iTunes; $3.99 Amazon
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.
Grades: Pre-K–6
Price: Free to try, Paid The site offers a free 30-day trial. After that, the price is $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free, Paid The free version includes a basic dashboard and phonemic awareness and phonics exercises. Paid version (contact for quote) adds sight word and guided-reading exercises, weekly reports, lesson assignments, and an advanced dashboard.
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.
Grades: K–4
Price: Free to try One month free trial, then $4.99/month or $39.99/year.
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Paid Requires a $69.95 per year subscription through the website, and supports up to 25 users.
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.
Grades: 2–6
Price: Free to try Contact for price quote. Volume educational discounts and licenses available.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $4.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
PBS KIDS Measure Up!
Fun mixes with learning in adventure-themed measurement activities
Bottom line: Games and videos give kids great exposure to and practice with a variety of measurement topics.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $7.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $3.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $3.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free
MathBRIX
Building blocks form solid math concepts one brick at a time
Bottom line: Strong tool for independent use without forfeiting conceptual understanding.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free to try, Paid Individual Pro plan is $99 per year for up to 25 students and $395.25 for 100 students. School plans are available; contact seller for price.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $119.99 iTunes download is $119.99; for district-wide pricing and adoption please contact the developer at [email protected]
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.
Grades: Pre-K–4
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free
Motion Math: Hungry Fish
Six games build mental math skills and promote fact fluency
Bottom line: Excellent tool to improve mental math, memorization, speed and acuity.
Grades: K–4
Price: $1.99-$5.99
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free to try, Paid 30-day free trial; $299 per school year for up to 30 students and one teacher.
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.
Grades: K–6
Price: Free to try, Paid Pricing available upon request.
DreamBox Learning Math
Individualized game-based math adapts to kids' needs
Bottom line: Excellent all-in-one solution for extra math support and practice, with solid adaptive tech that supplements but doesn't replace curriculum.
Grades: K–8
Price: Paid Contact for a quote.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $6.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Paid $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free
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.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Free for a basic account. An individual Teacher Pro plan includes the entire curriculum for $149 per year for up to 20 students ($299 per year if adding the game). For schools, the curriculum price is $7.50 per student ($15 per student if adding the game and analytics).
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.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free to try, Paid Free 30-day preview access. Pricing varies based on number of teachers and license duration. Contact for quote.
Emotional ABCs Classroom
Strong learning approach to mastering SEL competencies
Bottom line: Excellent program for teaching young kids emotion identification, regulation, and social relationships.
Grades: K–4
Price: Free, Paid Free for individual teachers and full-time school counselors. Homeschooling, online school, or private counseling programs require the purchase of an Individual ($9.95 per month) or Family ($14.95 per month) account.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
Mac, Izzy & Friends
Engaging stories, prompts, tools encourage exploration and creation
Bottom line: An engaging assortment of activities encourages creative exploration and expression.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free to try
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free
Thinkrolls
Fun physics platformer teaches, engages young elementary students
Bottom line: Highly engaging game packs in physics learning and puzzling fun.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–6
Price: Paid $2.99
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: $3.99
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $4.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $6.99 In-app purchase required for more detailed reporting for up to three users: $3.99 single user, $7.99 two users, $11.99 three users.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $4.99
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free
Skill Champ
Foundational-skills-practice tool supports specific learning needs
Bottom line: Well-designed tool for targeted foundational skills practice.
Grades: Pre-K–3
Price: Free
BrainPOP Jr.
Top-notch videos and activities a boon for elementary school teachers
Bottom line: BrainPOP Jr. sets the bar for top-quality online learning supplements.
Grades: K–3
Price: Paid Classroom access is $175 per year for up to three devices and school access is $1,450 per year. Coding activities require additional subscription fees.
Fizzy's Lunch Lab
Professor Fizzy and crew make it fun to be healthy
Bottom line: Fun games and informative videos get kids excited about nutritious eating and healthy lifestyle habits.
Grades: K–4
Price: Free
One Globe Kids - All Friends
Engaging stories, activities introduce kids to peers around the world
Bottom line: A smart, thoughtful way to learn about the lives of kids around the world.
Grades: K–4
Price: $9.99
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 and classroom-friendly exercise program that challenges students to get moving.
Grades: Pre-K–8
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid GoNoodle is free. A GoNoodle Plus subscription provides additional features and games for $99 per year or $10 per month; GoNoodle Plus has a 30-day free trial.