Whether they want to or not, most parents find themselves handing over their smartphones and tablets to toddlers for the occasional supervised play. So why not turn it into a learning experience, and look for apps that hold some educational value instead of ones that just serve as a distraction? Here are a few great options:
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- <h1>eFlash Apps Baby Flash Cards</h1><br/><br />
<p>This wonderful app can help babies and toddlers expand their <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/gear/toys/top-5-skill-building-toys-for-your-toddler/">vocabulary</a> and object identification. Realistic images of items are placed in categories like food, animals, and transportation; plus there are icons for illustrations of letters, numbers, shapes, and colours. Choose the category you want, and keep swiping to display the next photo in sequence as the female voice identifies it. In some cases, there’s an associated sound effect. Want to kick things up a notch? Mute the sound and let baby <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/pregnancy/baby-talk/">tell you</a> what he sees.</p><br />
<p>Free; iOS, Android & Kindle.</p>
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- <h1>Sesame Street Elmo Calls</h1><br/><br />
<p>What would your baby say if <i>Sesame Street</i>’s adorable Elmo actually called him? It can happen with this app, which initiates a “video call” between baby and the furry, red monster. Hit “Answer” when the phone rings, and <i>voila</i<br />
>! Baby is chatting it up with his celebrity bud Elmo, <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/baby/15-beautiful-songs-to-sing-to-your-baby/">singing</a> nursery rhymes together, imitating animal noises, and playing peek-a-boo. Need some help convincing baby to go to bed or take a <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/baby/how-to-give-your-baby-a-bath-a-step-by-step-guide/">bath</a>? Elmo can be programmed to call at these crucial times to lend a helping hand.</p><br />
<p>$0.99; additional call subjects are sold individually or in packages. iOS, Android, & Windows Phone.</p><br />
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- <h1>BabyPlayFace</h1><br/><br />
<p>With this relatable virtual baby your baby will be well-equipped to start learning to identify <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/pregnancy/decoding-baby-body-language/">body parts</a>. Touch the nose, and the image of the baby will crinkle his face while the narrator says “nose.” Tap the mouth and baby will smile, while the narrator identifies that part of the face. Hair, ears, eyes, forehead, chin, and cheek also generate a giggle-inducing physical and audible response.</p><br />
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<p>Access to facial ID is free. Download full body, foot, and hand identification when ready for $0.99. iOS, Android.</p>
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- <h1>Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Monkey App</h1><br/><br />
<p>One thing babies need is <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/gear/books-and-movies/20-books-help-your-toddler-use-their-w/">repetition</a>, and this app is great for that. While the overly expressive voice of the narrator might drive mommy and daddy nuts, the musical tone is highly effective in keeping baby engaged as he gets <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/pregnancy/new-school/">acquainted with letters, shapes, numbers, and colours</a>; and bounces, claps, and sings along with the traditional Alphabet Song. Swipe-happy baby? Fear not. The app responds to quick or repeated finger swipes from over-excited little ones with a burst of white stars while the lesson continues. It’s great from A to Zed.</p><br />
<p>Free; iOS, Android, Kindle.</p>
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- <h1>Sandra Boynton’s Moo, Baa, La La La!</h1><br/><br />
<p>As one of the many available virtual versions of this popular book series, this app works best on the larger screen of a tablet, allowing kids to touch words to hear them dictated, tap and swipe on images to hear appropriate noises or create neat effects, and flip digital pages. There are other clever ways of interacting, like pulling down to reveal hidden pictures, or tilting the phone to see the animals’ tails wag. The book can be narrated, or mom or dad can act as narrator.</p><br />
<p> $3.99. iOS, Android</p><br/><br />
<p>Looking for more great ways to educate your wee one? You'll love our list of <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/kids/pregnancy/5-ways-to-stimulate-early-learning/">5 Ways to Stimulate Early Learning in Your Toddler</a>.</p>
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