While we all know that screen time should be limited for our little ones, we are all living a new normal with working from home and having kids home from school during COVID-19. Give yourself a break during this time (and really all the time – you’re doing an amazing job!!) I put together our 5 favorite learning apps for toddlers here along with a few other resources.

Screen Time Recommendations

What’s most important is that parents be their child’s ‘media mentor.’ That means teaching them how to use it as a tool to create, connect and learn.

Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP

The AAP recommends that you limit screen use to 1 hour per day for children ages 2-5 years. They also recommend that you keep your baby in your room for 1 YEAR so I take these recommendations with a grain of salt.

Use your judgement as a parent. Some days we are in survival mode and Harrison watches more TV than I would like. Other days we play outside all day, bake something together, do a fun activity and don’t have any screen time all day. Sometimes you have to shower and the only way that’s getting done is if you hand your three year-old a phone for 20 minutes. 🤷‍♀️

5 Favorite Learning Apps

I’ve gathered 5 of our favorite apps and also linked some other great learning resources that we have been implementing in our home. Most apps have a free version but then you have to pay to unlock the full capabilities. I personally don’t pay for any apps that have monthly subscriptions, that can really add up quickly. Please let me know if there are any that you love and think are worthwhile!

Endless Alphabet

This one is $8.99 and by far the most I have ever spent on an app but it’s worth it. It features 100 words and is very interactive. You drag and match the letters to spell the word and then it illustrates the meaning of the word.

– Kids will have a blast learning their ABC’s and building vocabulary with the adorable monsters in Endless Alphabet –

Baby Games for Toddlers

With the free version you get 3 categories (farm, home & vegetables) then its $3.99 to unlock all 12 topics. The quality and graphics of this app are great. After you correctly match all the animals, there is a puzzle and sorting activity that follows. Bonus – no ads even in the free version!

Smart Baby Sorter

There are 3 categories in the free version, $2.99 to unlock all 12 categories. I was surprised how easily Harrison was able to catch on to this with little direction even at the age of 2.

– The application allows your child to develop logic, as well as attention, fine motor skills and discipline successfully and independently –

PBS Kids Games

We have been without cable for a couple years now so most of the TV we watch is Netflix but I love how this app incorporates all the characters from popular shows. You can even sort the games by character. There are some pointless games that are either too hard for Harrison or non-educational but a lot are great and this app is 100% free!

Baby Flash Cards – First Words

These flashcards keep Harrison engaged because they are animated. You can also change the language to Spanish. One category is free (vehicles), the remaining 8 categories can be purchased for $2.99.

Other Learning Resources

Scholastic Learn at Home – Free weekly resources for Pre-k and K. Each day has a different theme where you can watch a story, read a book and then do the activity. We loved the “Planting a Rainbow” story so much!

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready: The How-To Book that Grows with your Child. This book was given to me as a gift when Harrison was born, it contains weekly activities to do with your child from age 0 to age 5. Most of the activities can be done with little preparation using items you have around the house!

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