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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
Best: Really engaging, excellent learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

App reviews for self-direction

157 results
  • Review
    Math Fact Master - Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

    Flashcard-style app isn't flashy, but it gets the job done.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Mathris

    Arcade-style addition practice for kids who like fast games.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Dora ABCs Vol 1: Letters & Letter Sounds

    Easy-to-play games are great practice for pre-readers.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Barefoot World Atlas

    Delightful way to learn about animals, people, and more.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Khan Academy

    Excellent tutorials on math, humanities, and more, for free.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Montessori Letter Sounds HD

    Self-directed, fun, simple lessons will engage pre-readers.
    AGE
    4
     
    Learning
    5
    Platforms: iPad
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Potty Time with Elmo

    Nice guide to childhood milestone, but needs more Elmo.
    AGE
    2
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Toca House

    Mini-games bring funky fun to household chores.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Madcoaster

    Arcade game is fast-paced fun with tangible goals.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Dora's Enchanted Forest Adventures

    Interaction, sweet story will enchant Dora's younger fans.
    AGE
    4
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Paper Monsters

    Family-friendly platformer with secrets to discover.
    AGE
    7
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Playful Minds: Math (5-8 years old)

    Great practice with fun rewards, progress tracking.
    AGE
    5
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Scramble With Friends

    Addictive word game safer to play with your own friends.
    AGE
    14
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Phrase Wit

    Illuminating look at expressions you're using incorrectly.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    SAT Word Slam

    Poems and audio a tad snarky and mature but memorable.
    AGE
    14
     
    Learning
    5
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2012)
  • Review
    Magic Piano

    Popular songs but no traditional piano in tap music game.
    AGE
    7
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    FirstWords: Deluxe

    Great for pre-readers to early spellers, but can get spendy.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Bistro Cook

    Kitchen time-management sim an engaging time-killer.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Tiny Tower

    Adorable sim playable without in-app buys -- with patience.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Book Creator for iPad

    Simple app lets kids craft their own books to read or share.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Love to Count by Pirate Trio

    Helps young kids understand why math skills are important.
    AGE
    5
     
    Learning
    5
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    FlipCards - Flashcard app for memory training

    Useful study tool's online database has some iffy content.
    AGE
    11
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Tales2Go

    Great audiobook service offers a ton of content, for a fee.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 -- English

    Encouraging quizzes help kids master high-frequency words.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2011)
  • Review
    iLuv Drawing Animals - Learn to draw 40 animals

    Step-by-step instructions great for guiding young artists.
    AGE
    4
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad
    (App, 2011)