Best tech for primary and high school kids

Wondering how to keep your kids occupied over the big summer break? We’ve compiled a range of tech-based options to keep your youngsters engaged and entertained this summer to avoid the school holiday brain drain.

First up let’s talk about devices, after all you can’t run all those wonderful kids’ apps without them.

Opinions differ on when kids should get their first phone. Certainly, the decision is up to each family as to when the time is right. Whether you’re just researching or ready to buy you might like to consider these budget-friendly options.

Tablets are mostly cheaper than laptops and are more portable. That means it’s easier for kids to watch movies and use apps and games while on the go – like those long summer holiday car trips.

Tablets are easily shared between kids and when you want to spend some time with your child watching a movie, reading online or playing a game together.

See our range of iPads and tablets.

Most educators would agree reading’s important for a child’s development. So, whether it’s reading a physical book, reading on a e-reader or on tablet, reading’s an easy way to keep your child’s mind stimulated during the school holidays. And of course, reading supports the development of literacy skills and general knowledge. Tick.

Read out loud sessions with your early primary child are priceless moments that also form a bedrock foundation for their development into the future. If they find something interests them, support them with books on the subject. Trains? Ok. Drawing? Yep. There are even books on gaming.

Kindle Unlimited allows your child to choose from a huge range of books that can be read on any device. Kindle Unlimited is available on Optus SubHub (exclusive to Optus customers).

We spoke to Sophie Whitehouse-Sparks, senior educator, CEO of TutorTime and founder of YOU CAN SIT WITH ME to get some educational tech tips.

“We know that parents find apps really, really useful,” she says. “But it's really important to find out which apps are educational, up to date, are current and have appropriate graphics. So, the ones that I'm recommending to our parents at the moment are ABC Reading Eggs for ages 2 to 8 - it is absolutely fantastic.

“It also has a virtual online child's learning path so parents can see what their child is learning and that's invaluable. And that's actually very new for parents to be able to track what their children are learning through an app. The app has children's stories, video content and feature lots of repetition which is so essential for young learners. The graphics are gorgeous, and the content is safe, plus it’s very engaging,” Sophie says.

“For coding I love an app called Swift Playgrounds. It’s a great first step for somebody wanting to learn to code and if you're already a coder. Absolutely wonderful, with different levels,” Sophie says.

“For high school students, I recommend Khan Academy.”

“Khan Academy is [an] online resource for exercise, video and personalised learning dashboards that helps students to progress at their own pace both inside and at home. Subject areas covered include Maths, Arts & Humanities, Computing, Reading & Language, Science and Life skills.

“Khan Academy is great for primary school years and high school. It's one I always go back to. It's just relevant. It's got good repetition. It has lots of examples and students can easily go back to revise topics,” says Sophie.

“For learning English and other languages, you can’t beat Duolingo. It’s great for students in 7 to 8 who’ve chosen to do a language in years 9 to 10s, as well as those upper years - 11 and 12, who need more experience and exposure to a language.

“It moves through different levels and gets harder and harder. Plus, those learning English can use it to increase their English proficiency,” Sophie says.

These days there’s a range of smart entertainment options available for older kids like Amazon Echo (4th Gen) that comes with premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa.

Coding

Kids who are keen to code will love some of the coding apps available like Code Karts, Hopster, Coding Safari for Kids, Kodeable, Scratch Jnr App, Swift Playgrounds and Tynker among many others.

Drawing

Got a budding Picasso in the house why not treat them to a drawing app. There’s lots to choose from including, Animopus: kids drawing 2+, Colors games Learning for kids, Drawing Games to Learning Kids, or Painter Kid: Color Animals.

Languages

Perhaps your child is into learning another language. There’s lots of apps to choose from including Dinolingo, Duolingo, Little Pim, Rosetta Stone Kids Lingo Letter Sounds or Stories By Gus On The Go.

Reading

ABC Reading Eggs by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) engages kids with reading games and activities so they’re keen to learn more. There’s games, songs and rewards to help kids take pride in their reading journey all with an Aussie accent and spelling.

STEM

There’s a range of maths apps available like Doodle (also for English), Elmo Loves 123s, Prodigy, IXL (also for English), Prodigy and Times Tables Hero. For more suggestions for maths apps see SPELD NSW.

MathsOnline

Pat Murray, the founder of MathsOnline has been passionately teaching maths for more than thirty-one years.

Through his global maths teaching programs, Pat’s students now number well into the hundreds of thousands across Australia, the UK, the states and other parts of the world.

Pat’s MathsOnline uses a multi-sensory approach to teach Australian K-12 Curriculum. A combination of simple graphics and animation, overlayed with verbal instructions gives a calm classroom feel, with the nicest most patient teacher, who follows up with practical assessments to make learning easier and more effective. 

Their website has stellar video reviews from parents, teachers and students alike, however our recommendation comes from closer to home - one of our parents at Optus: 

“My daughter was flagged as needing extra support in Maths at the beginning of year 4. After some research, I took a free trial for MathsOnline and within the first semester she jumped two groups into the top three of the second highest maths group - which is maths extension. Her teacher was shocked until I mentioned MathsOnline, then she confessed she’d used it as a revision tool herself, to brush up before teaching year 12.”

Science apps include:

• Barefoot World Atlas – a great way to discover our world
• NASA — range of apps to learn about space and astronomy
• Ology – from the American Museum of Natural History, designed for kids
• The Human Body – discover anatomy and how the body works
  
  

There’s a huge range of apps out there for kids. It can be hard to keep up and stay across what’s on offer to ensure they’re age-appropriate and right for your child. Here’s a summary of the guidelines you’ll find on the eSafety Commissioner website that may help you navigate the app world.

Try before you buy (or download for free)

There’s no substituting trying the app before you give it to your child to use. You know your child best and are the best judge as to what’s appropriate.

Use the app together

You can show your child how to think critically about what they’re viewing by ‘co-watching’ the app with them.

Is it age-appropriate?

Have a look at reviews and ratings to help you chose and app and game that’re appropriate for your child.

Advertising content

Some apps and games carry advertising. Be aware that this may indicate the app will try to sell you things rather than educate.

Addiction potential

Check for games that could potentially become addictive. Games that can be played in short sessions will allow your child to take a break and save their progress rather than keeping them online playing for long periods in one sitting.

Wholesome factor

Help kids to consume online content that is inclusive and has positive messages about tolerance of differences. Seek out content that has a balance of genders and diversity where possible.

Optus Digital Thumbprint

Optus Digital Thumbprint supports digital safety and wellbeing for young people and families. Find out more at www.digitalthumbprint.com.au 

Get your family school ready

Choose from our range of best for school devices, plans and more.

There’s always nerves and excitement at the start of a school year. Being prepared and confident starts with great technology choices and expert tips that set your family up for schooling success. 

We’ll help you get school ready with our range of great value tablets, first phones, accessories, home internet, Optus Network features in My Optus app and more – all at Optus.