Educational apps can be beneficial for supporting early learning in young children, a new study by researchers at the FIU Center for Children and Families found. The researchers reviewed 35 studies from around the world, which involved nearly 5,000 children under the age of six and analyzed the outcomes of their academic, cognitive, or social-emotional skills after playing with interactive apps. The results showed the strongest evidence for learning benefits from apps that targeted early math skills, followed by early language and literacy skills.
Additionally, the results suggest that touchscreen app games have the potential to support learning in other areas, such as science knowledge and executive functioning, but more research is needed in these areas. The authors stress the need for more research on educational apps, specifically to clarify the app features and content that best support learning.
While screen time recommendations often focus on preventing overuse, researchers recommend parents be involved in their child’s screen time and choose interactive educational apps instead of typical screen time activities to promote early skills.
One such example is the multi-awarded educational app, Smart Tales, which offers a safe, educational, and fun experience for kids through STEM-based games and interactive stories.
By mixing digital activities with printable sheets, Smart Tales teaches preschoolers to love reading and learning math while learning positive values, making learning an enjoyable and engaging experience for young children. With 20 personalized educational paths and 500+ hours of fun activities, Smart Tales is a great companion of kids and a key support to over 2.000.000 parents around the world and it is today widely considered one of the best app for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
The study was published in Pediatrics.
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