Matilda doesn't really spend much time in front of the TV, she probably has only really 'watched' TV a handful of times in her life.
Sure, of a morning the TV is on in the background and if there is a music act on she will sit up and bop along to it, but otherwise its the very rare (and only recently) ABC for kids show that she has seen.
But she does have a few favourite apps. Well it is the technological age after all.
They are all educational (well they aren't games anyway) and frankly they can be great fun. So I thought I would share our top apps with you.
Matilda's favourite would have to be a three way tie between Willbee the Bumblebee, Dear Zoo and The Wonky Donkey so I will chat about those first :)
All of these books can be read to you or you can read along yourself. The two books by Craig Smith also have a song version which are the current favourites in our place at the moment. For the older kids there are also some games and other activities in each of these.
Willbee the Bumblebee
Matilda just loves Willbee, she bounces around and shakes her maracas as the story unfolds. It's a great little story about a bumblebee working in the garden until his jersey comes unravelled. It's then up to the other animals, Monica the butterfly and Spider Steve (who reads the Women's Weekly!) to help him out. It's a great story, catchy song (probably too catchy) and the environmental message in there makes me a happy mum.
I definitely recommend this one :)
Dear Zoo
We add in a few extra words on the snake story (the snake is too scary for Nanna) as I don't believe in bringing Matilda up to be afraid of any animal, but otherwise this one is definitely a huge favourite in our house.
The Wonkey Donkey
This one is by the same guy who does Willbee and its just as great. Actually, this is the original but for now Willbee is slightly ahead in the favourite race.
Again you can have this one read to you, sung to you or you can read along yourself so plenty of choices there. The song is the current favourite in our place and there is a lot of bopping along as the story unfolds.
It's also good for a giggle as Wonky gets more and more interesting and traditionally unattractive but then turns out 'quite good looking' - gives Mum and Dad a laugh anyway!
Baby Karaoke
This is another lifesaver. Matilda loves the songs and its great for that much needed quick distraction. It would be great if all the songs on the Raising Children Network site were available, but its a free app so these five are great!
Baby's Music Box
Its annoying, like really annoying but... it instantly calms a screaming baby so, well, it's also handy.
We don't use this one so much any more but as a small bubba Matilda loved it. If she was ever a little distressed we would pop it on and the soothing (lets be clear - soothing for a wee baby not for you) sounds of this app would help nine times out of ten.
Thank goodness we don't have to use it much any more!
ABC for Kids
I am pretty sure every parent has discovered this one - but just in case you haven't its got a handy little selection of songs and videos for that urgently needed short distraction. We like Elmo's videos at the moment, particularly the one where he makes Baby Bear sing for his porridge. Again, this one is a little too catchy and I find myself singing it hours later!
Warning: anyone one with a Mummy-crush on Mr Laga'aia - this will not help matters. Take it from someone who knows ;)
The Wonder Weeks
This is one for the Mummies and Daddies out there. This app is a great summary of the information in the invaluable Wonder Weeks book. I cannot believe none of the mainstream education (that I experienced anyway) talked about these wonder weeks. We hear so much about the growth spurts at 10 days, three weeks, six weeks, three months & six months but in my experience these wonder weeks are much more obvious and amazing!
Do yourself a favour and get this app and sign up for the the reminder emails on the website. If you can find the time to read, get the book as well. You will learn so much about your little one!
The Wonder Weeks is even available as a chapter by chapter eBook so if your little one has passed some of the milestones you don't have to buy the whole book. I love that!
The last leap of the Wonder Weeks is not until 17 months, so even parents of older bubs can get some use out of this one.
There are a couple of other books Matilda quite enjoys but is a little young to truly appreciate them just yet. Having said that she does enjoy them, and I can see them being favourites in the future so here's a quick list of them:
So that's it for the moment, there are a few others we have tried and found that they aren't so great or that they are a little advanced for Matilda at this point, but these ones are definitely the ones on high rotation at our place at the moment.
I hope if you give them a try, you like them as much as we do. And if you have any favourites I would love to hear them!
NEWS FLASH: The Wonder Weeks website has a Christmas Giveaway happening at the moment -you can download the first chapters of the eBook for free on their website, nice!
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