Apps help kids fight summer brain drain
According to the Northwest Evaluation Association, “Summer learning loss was observed in math and reading across third to eighth grade, with students losing a greater proportion of their school year gains each year as they grow older — anywhere from 20% to 50%.”
How do you keep your child from losing what they’ve learned or falling behind?
Reading is very important. Puzzles and other hands-on games are great, too. There are also a lot of great apps and tech-based games out there that can keep kids’ minds active (sorry, Fortnite doesn’t count, not even a little). We recently tried out several science-focused “edutainment” apps aimed at preschoolers and found them both adorable and entertaining (and since science is too-often neglected in schools, the more exposure kids can have to it, the better). Plus, they let kids have plenty of fun while they’re learning.
Cosmic Cubs These apps are designed to help kids in pre-K and up learn about ecology and the solar system. And just for fun, there’s a space dress-up game as well. In addition to the apps, the website also includes lots of downloadable coloring pages and loads of useful (and educational) content.
Three apps are currently available: Cosmic Cubs Eco Puzzler, Cosmic Cubs DressUp and Cosmic Cubs Space Puzzles. All three contain a variety of puzzles, games, cool info about the planets, asteroids, meteors, comets, problem-solving games and much more. They also teach new vocabulary words. The apps are available on both Android and iOS platforms. These are free (but limited) versions, so if you want full access, it’ll set you back the princely sum of $1.99. www.cosmiccubs.com
Rosetta Stone There are many well-documented advantages of learning a second language, including increased job opportunities, making better connections in your community and the world, improved memory and concentration, expanded vocabulary in the first language and a better understanding of the word. The younger you start learning a second language, the better. But it’s never too late to start. Rosetta Stone has some terrific options for learners of all ages and knowledge levels.
For children, there’s Rosetta Stone Homeschool, which, according to the company, uses pioneering technology that “promotes long-term retention and correct pronunciation — without memorization or drills.” Rosetta Stone teaches using an immersion method, which is how we learned our native language in the first place. It starts with a 30-minute core lesson that introduces a bunch of new words. That’s followed by several smaller lessons that go deeper into various aspects that were covered in the core lesson.
These range from about five to 10 minutes each. If you or your child needs a little extra help, group and private tutoring are also available (for an extra cost). With their patented speech-recognition technology, TruAccent, your child’s speech is analyzed and corrected. There are reports and progress data so you can see how your child is progressing, and your child can learn from a computer, phone or tablet, on or offline. Adults and children can choose from more than 30 languages. Prices start at $5.95/month (for 24 months), but shorter terms are available. There’s also a three-day free trial. www.rosettastone.com