COLLECTION
Kids and the power of calm
Kids are noisy – it’s apparently in the job description. A solution for many parents in need of some quiet time is giving them the trusted kid silencer: an iPad or iPhone. But instead of letting them just swipe and tap the time away, we suggest putting them in front of some of these apps that help train focus and other cognitive skills.
Immersive art
As a parent you’ve also probably noticed that kids like to scribble on paper. And walls. Also the floor and themselves. That’s just their imaginations at play. Zen Studio embraces this providing them with a convenient (and clean) canvas that encourages self-expression.
There aren’t any complex brushes and writing tools to fiddle with. Kids just choose a colour and start finger-painting. What’s interesting is that each swipe triggers a calming sound effect, which subconsciously helps them focus on creating.
Music matters
With a little guidance, classical music can work wonders to cultivate a child’s imagination. Tongo Music not only makes learning fun, but also helps stimulate their budding intellects and creativity.
The app’s colourfully animated characters engage children in their exposure to the classics. For instance, a tap on a swimming swan plays the lovely Le Cygne, a movement from French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ musical suite Le Carnaval des Animaux.
The app is also text-free, giving children even more room to explore while experiencing some of the world’s greatest music.
Calm reflection
Most of all, kids are fascinating. They often see the world completely differently. Each new experience sparks their sense of wonder, which of course leads to non-stop questions. While curiosity is something to celebrate, complementary skills like self-reflection and the ability to document their thoughts can be equally important to a child’s personal growth.
Me: A Kid’s Diary helps with the process. Children start off by creating an avatar, and then are prompted with a series of thoughtful themes: 'This is my favourite food', 'These are my friends', and even things like 'This is my secret talent'. Children can choose to respond using text, drawings, photos and more. Each page encourages quiet introspection and self-expression, resulting in a personalised record that is just as valuable today as it will be years from now.