Other apps don’t have a free version and can be downloaded for a one-time cost, usually in the range of $1 to $4. If you want to use the premium version and get full access, you can make in-app purchases. Some educational apps for preschoolers are free to download, but those versions sometimes offer limited features. Īpps may even do more harm than good when they take children away from interacting with their caregivers and other children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the majority of apps advertised as educational “show low educational potential, target only rote academic skills (eg, ABCs, colors), are not based on established curricula, and include almost no input from developmental specialists or educators.” How Much Should Educational Apps Cost? Ideally, you should engage with media alongside your child to help them understand what they are seeing and apply what they learn to the real world. Toddlers 18 months to 24 months can start to enjoy some screen time with a parent or caregivers, and by ages 2 and 3, kids should watch no more than one hour a day. The AAP recommends no screens for children younger than 18 months with one exception: video chatting.
