What Apps Can and Cannot Teach Young Children

“Skill and drill” academic concepts like language and math are more easily learned through interactive apps in the school setting, but social and communication skills are not.

App stores contain thousands of apps that make educational claims. Research suggests many children's apps have simplistic curricula, contain distracting ads, and request private information from mobile devices. In a systematic review of 35 randomized or quasi-experimental trials involving 4639 children <6 years of age, researchers examined whether “educational” apps yield learning benefits.

Most studies took place in educational settings or university laboratories. Because of insufficient data and heterogeneity, the authors did not perform meta-analyses. Study results showed that children could consistently learn math skills (numbers, counting, addition) and language skills (alphabet, letter sounds, vocabulary) from apps. Results were mixed …

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

What Apps Can and Cannot Teach Young Children

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Reviewing Author