JANUARY 22ND, 2011
Inside time means quality time with your child and your iPad. Herewith, Canada’s media moms share their favourite kids’ apps.
Baby GO! (toddler) Free
Fabulous because it reinforces the letters along with the child’s keystrokes, and the girl's voice is adorable to boot.
Katherine Holland, VitaminDaily.com contributor and blogger at www.katherineholland.ca
Talking Carl (pre-schooler) $0.99
Fun little monster that repeats everything you say in a silly voice. Sort of like a real child!
Erika Pantages, VitaminDaily.com guest editor and blogger at www.thisishowistroll.blogspot.com
Pocket Pond and Cake Doodle (baby to adult/kindergarten) Free/$0.99
This
realistic, serene koi pond lets you swish the water and make the fish
change direction with a satisfying sound. Hours of zen. Got a little
Cake Boss on your hands? With Cake Doodle, they can tip and shake the
iPad to add ingredients, then mix, bake, ice, decorate and “eat” their
cake creations.
Sarah Bancroft, VitaminDaily.com Editor-in-chief
Pocketphonics (pre-schooler) $1.99
I
love this app because it helps children recognize letters and their
sounds through repetition. It also tweaks their fine motor skills by
having them trace letters. It involves three of their senses and thus
reinforces learning. Just keep the volume down low because the
mechanical voice makes you crazy.
Laura Keogh, co-founder of www.sweetpotatochronicles.com
Horse's Collection and Audubon Owls (pre-schooler to elementary) $1.99/$0.99
Budding
equestrians will love identifying the different breeds of horses in
this addictive memory game while little naturalists will be all over
Audobon Owls, which is like an interactive field guide with pictures,
fun facts and video.
Susie Wall, Vancouver reporter, eTalk.
Total Baby (moms) $4.99
A
lot of moms I know rave about Total Baby. It keeps track of everything
baby related (feeds, poops, naps, doctor appointments) so you can keep
your head above water when you're too exhausted to remember your name.
Athena Tsavliris, VitaminDaily.com Toronto editor