Learning apps at home prepare children for school
Frank Niklas1, Efsun Birtwistle2, Anna Mues1
1Department of Psychology, University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany.
Child Development
|October 24, 2024
Summary
High-quality learning apps used at home can boost children's math and literacy skills. This family intervention study showed significant gains in specific competencies for children using educational apps.
Area of Science:
- Educational Technology
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Home-based learning applications (apps) show potential for enhancing early childhood cognitive skills.
- Family-centered interventions can be effective in promoting educational development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of high-quality learning apps on children's mathematical and literacy competencies.
- To assess the effectiveness of an app-based family intervention compared to control groups.
Main Methods:
- A family intervention study involving 302 children (aged approx. 61 months) using tablets with math or literacy apps.
- Comparison with two control groups (with and without tablets) over half a kindergarten year.
- Analysis of the association between app usage frequency and competency gains.
Main Results:
- Children in intervention groups demonstrated significantly enhanced mathematical and literacy competencies compared to control groups (η² = .03–.10).
- Higher frequency of app usage correlated with greater improvements in specific cognitive skills (ΔR² = .01–.02).
Conclusions:
- An easily implementable, app-based intervention effectively supports the development of children's cognitive competencies.
- This approach aids in preparing children for school by strengthening foundational math and literacy skills.
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