Technology in all it’s forms is increasingly becoming a very important and viable component in the education of children of all ages. Tablet or phone Apps are a large part of this. As a public elementary school teacher, I have seen my job become more and more focused on how I can integrate the newest forms of technology into the classroom to increase student interest and learning. My school is lucky enough to have a set of iPads per grade level that we rotate through each classroom everyday. I can tell you from first-hand experience, that when used the right way these devices are effective educational tools that help make children excited to learn; and they don’t always realize that’s what’s happening :). I’m going to admit something that may be shocking coming from a teacher – I’ve taught my son, Liam, many things, but I didn’t teach my then-3-year-old his letters or numbers, my iPad did, and he knows them well!

As we are making plans and gearing up for Spring Break and potentially some kind of getaway, consider these fun and educational Apps for your little ones’ car or plane ride enjoyment!

Cars Lightning Was Here: My Puzzle Book: This enjoyable app takes readers through scenic Radiator Springs as it follows the story of Lightning McQueen and his new friends in town. Along the way (about every other page) the picture turns into a puzzle that your child can drag and drop to put back together. Hidden among the pictures are decals that can be collected and placed on Lightning at the end of the story.  ($0.99  – click here for more info)
Learning factor: Although this app is more about entertainment than education, puzzles do exercise memory,and help with problem-solving (a precursor to mathematical awareness). Viewing the story while listening to it read can increase word recognition. I would say this app could be enjoyed by children 3 and up.
Pros: Although there is a prerecorded narration, this app allows gives you the option of recording your own voice reading the story (I love this because my dad was in the Navy and gone a lot, he read lots of books to a tape recorder for us girls). The app also gives you an option of easy or hard puzzles, so it is adaptable for children as they grow. 
Cons: There is very little animation or interactivity beyond the puzzles and decals.
*Liam says: he likes it because he likes to turn the pages.*

Letters with Pooh: This fantastic app follows Winnie the Pooh and his friends on his search for honey – but most importantly it teaches letter recognition in many different and fun ways, as well as teaching how to write letters. Children can play games, record themselves saying letters, trace and write letters, and create scenes in the Hundred Acre Wood. ($1.99 – click here for more information)
Learning factor: Major! We have letter recognition, word recognition – the words are highlighted as the story is read aloud, and writing! This app is great for Pre-K through 1st grade level kids (I would definitely have it in my classroom if I were a Kinder teacher!)
Pros: This app is a great mix of educational and entertaining – plus it lets you set the activity level, letter case, tracing level AND allows you to view reports of what your child practiced, their progress and how much time they spent on it! See why this app is one of my favorites?
Cons: The only thing I can think of is that Pooh is not as relevant a character of late, and may not be exciting to children as another character like Lightning McQueen or Mickey – I do not hear Liam playing with this app as much as others.
*Liam says he likes it because there are puzzles.*

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along App: This fun app takes children globe-trotting with Mickey and friends to explore different areas of the world and the animals that live there. Part of the fun is counting the animals and taking their pictures for the scrapbook – and looking through the scrapbook later on. ($1.99 – click here for more information)
Learning factor: Kids will be learning science, math,and reading! The five major biomes are represented and animal habitats as well as the animals can be explored. This one is heavy on math with counting to 10, number recognition, and number sequencing (more/less). The words of the story are also highlighted as the story is read, to increase word recognition. Since this app is pretty straight-forward and fairly easy, I would think kids as young as 2 could start playing with it.
Pros: I love the education factor, especially the number sense – but kids just love anything to do with animals so much – they don’t realize they are being taught! Plus, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is very popular right now.
Cons: There are no different settings or reports here. And as always I would’ve loved to see more. More animation, or depth into the biomes, or real-life pictures and information about the animals. But, for the price, this one is a good deal!
*Liam says he likes it because he likes to touch the animals to get pictures of them.*

What do you think of Apps as educational tools? And what are some of your child’s favorite Apps to play with or learn from?
Check back as summer vacation gets closer for Part 2 and more Disney App reviews!

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or on Instagram at @jesshner.