Software for Baby - Ipad and Iphone Apps for infants
I recently got my husband an I-pad for Father's Day and we immediately began the hunt for cool apps to download to pimp out our new apple toy, or as I like to refer to it (Penny's Computer - from Inspector Gadget for anyone who remembers). Because we are such hipsters (ha) it wasn't long before we started searching for Ipad apps for kids, in our case baby and infant development. I believe the same apps are available for the Iphone, but I thought I'd share the cool baby software we found and downloaded for free (the lite version) and one we bought for $1.99. Infant Arcade's Alphabet Creatures and Peek-A-Boo delighted our 8 month old daughter. She loved the animation and music right away and very quickly began to touch the screen and interact with the moving bees, bugs and cows. She became so excited that she literally started shaking and grunting like a little cave woman and smacking the i-pad. There are fans and haters on both sides of the baby software platform debate. Critics argue that exposing a baby to electronic stimuli so early can make them overly dependent on computer and electronic technology, or that parents should spend the time and show babies how to interact with the basic household items and toys - an electronic babysitter is no substitute. My take on this is it depends on how you are using the software. For our daughter, we show her how to touch moving animals on the screen and spend quality time and laughter delighting in her excitement at making a selection that creates a response.
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Taliking about the best iPhone apps for kids I would like to mention about Kinder Hangman - http://sharkfuel.com/kinderhangman.html that is specially designed to improve vocabulary of kids and help them remember new words. iTune link is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kinder-hangman/id375734517?mt=8 Thius iPhone app works to improve child's development and can be used to prepare kids for school. It is intended for kids of 4-6 years.
I myself am never sure whether it's good to get apps for babies and infants, and thus begin (over?)exposure to images that much earlier. But even with that said I just launched an iPhone app specifically for infants (3 - 6 months, although older babies may love it too): Baby Smart Cards. The app is made up of 70 different virtual art cards in a low-stim black and white format that introduces babies to creatures, famous people (Miles Davis!) (Frida Kahlo!), and objects from their daily lives. All art presented as visuals that infants can see and process with high contrast and thick lines. The app is meant to keep a fussy little one happy at the doctor's office or during travel while engaging the mind and vision, and I hope that babies love it (we weren't able to focus group it with any actual babies ... let me know if you pick it up and if it works for your little one!). Link to Baby Smart Cards in the app store here.
My 2 year old baby boy loved the Infant Arcade's Alphabet Creatures and Peek-A-Boo too! His eyes are twinkling every time he touches the Iphone. I think such activity is not bad for babies, as long as it is just limited and you have your nanny to watch over your baby.