SB Finds : Educational Apps

Sometimes, the simplest apps are the best for language reinforcement. A new app from emerging developer Tiny Factory, Bilingual Child Bubbles Word Game is an entertaining and straightforward way to keep toddlers interested in Spanish. In each of 10 categories, including La Escuela, Los Números, and Los Medios de Transporte, pictures float around in bubbles on the screen and you must tap the one that matches the word being spoken by the character, Carlos. While the bubbles aren’t moving tooRead More ...

StoryToys, the same app developer that brought us 3D versions of Puss in Boots and The Little Mermaid, now has a new electronic pop-up book. Beauty and the Beast 3D Interactive Pop-up Book is another adorable multilingual app that offers a great combination of story time and game time. Since most kids are already familiar with the Beauty and the Beast tale, they will enjoy how this storybook is broken up with interactive pages to make it a little moreRead More ...

Finding one great educational Spanish app is exciting enough, but discovering FOUR that go together? ¡Fantástico! TribalNova’s educational program Aprendes Con has recently launched with four diverse apps for preschoolers: Aprendes Con Boing: Planeta Boing Aprendes Con Boing: ¡Aventuras en la sábana! Aprendes Con Poko: ¡Contar y sumar! Aprendes Con Bo: ¡La alimentación! By the developers of PBS Kids Play!, these apps challenge kids with math skills (counting and basic adding), science (particularly nutrition), language, and following directions. Kids alsoRead More ...

Since I’m in the midst of teaching my preschooler to read Spanish, I was happy to come across a new app from AbiTalk called Spanish Sentence Builder. It goes beyond basic vocabulary and helps young learners piece together grammatically correct sentences in Spanish. This app bridges the gap between more toddler-centered apps and those that are for more advanced or older children. Spanish Sentence Builder offers two levels, plus the option to self-create lessons. Kids have to drag the mixed-upRead More ...

Constantly on the lookout for new Spanish/bilingual apps, I am always happy to find something that is versatile. Los navegantes, created by second language teachers for Telefonica Learning Services is just that: a fun iPad app that can be used for young Spanish learners who have never been exposed to the language, but also for those who are conversationally fluent but are still learning to read in Spanish. The app contains a variety of games, including word searches and coloring,Read More ...

This year, as a Windows Champion Ambassador on behalf of SpanglishBaby, I will be exploring all this new platform has to offer you, with a focus on information, tips, and apps for bilingual families. For this second post I promised to show you some Windows 8 apps which aren’t intended for bilingual learning, but which can be used that way nonetheless. Here’s a video that will take you through our 4 favorite apps, and then details along with links toRead More ...

In my quest to find more entertaining Spanish apps for adults and teenagers, I discovered 4 Fotos Más, a straightforward game that nonetheless provides hours of fun and brushing up on Spanish vocab. Each level presents four photos and a letter bank. To pass the level, you must correctly guess and spell the word that the photos indicate. For every level you pass, you collect monedas, which can be used to buy hints in future levels. As a nonnative speaker,Read More ...

Most PBS products are strictly for kids, but now PBS has created a useful tool for parents. With the PBS Parents Play & Learn and PBS Parents Play & Learn HD apps, parents can get free access to bilingual learning activities and games for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Instead of just handing the phone or iPad to your kids, you can sit and do the games with them or use the app as a playtime reference whether you’re at theRead More ...