Apps and Games to Teach Kids Kindness and Compassion
In today’s modern, connected world, children grow up surrounded by technology. Raised by adults that are constantly ‘plugged in’, our children are learning and interacting with computers, smartphones, tablets, and even smart tech toys from the moment they become aware of them.
It is no surprise then that the 21st Century child often masters the ‘finger swipe’ action of controlling a touch screen before they’ve even learned to read! It would seem that learning to use and interact with modern tech has become an integral part of our children’s early development. In fact, many feel that our children need to learn ‘digital competence’ as part of the National Curriculum if they are to survive and thrive in a future that will be shaped and dependant upon digital technology.
So while our kids are being taught how to design, build and course these technologies, what else are they learning from their interactions with today’s apps and games? There is a fear that a lack of physical play with other children and adults in favour of ‘screen time’ will deprive children of the real world interactions that are necessary for early emotional and mental development. This could, in turn, stunt their ability to learn how to relate and talk to other people and ultimately leave a whole generation lacking the fundamental skills of healthy social interaction.
To tackle this, there have been a wave of innovative apps and games designed to help children learn about, recognise, and foster kind behaviour, compassion and empathy. Often these apps or games are designed to be interactive and complement what our children are witnessing and learning in the real world from their parents and peers.
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite apps and games that aim to help parents, carers and educators teach children about kindness, compassion and empathy.
Baby Face, Teach Emotions
Baby Face is a picture card style app that helps teach children of pre-reading age about emotion, faces and feelings. Complete with both basic and advanced emotions, there is also a parents section with tested activities for teaching and playing.
Wee You-Things
Wee You-Things is a clever interactive book app designed to encourage children to appreciate and accept people’s differences through vibrant and quirky rhyming characters. There are even tips for parents about how to have conversations with your child to build understanding, encourage empathy, develop confidence and help prevent bullying in later life.
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is a game developed for the Kinect on Xbox 360 featuring a storybook style adventure filled with life lessons including friendship, sharing and teamwork. This game has been developed with parent/child interaction in mind; encouraging children to interact with the characters, build friendships and help solve problems.
Peek-a-Zoo
Much like Baby Face, the Peek-a-Zoo app helps children learn about and recognise emotions in facial expressions, as well as social cues, through cute animals getting up to all sorts of things! This app is great at subtly integrating your child's learning of actions and emotions through the identification of different animals.
Four Little Corners
Four Little Corners is another interactive storybook app that aims to teach children the values of friendship, integration and equality through the simple but touching story of a little square in a world full of circles.
One Globe Kids
One Globe Kids is packed full of beautiful stories and photos from around the world to help kids learn about and build global awareness. ‘Designed to foster curiosity, openness, and global imagination,’ this app is a fantastic way to introduce your children to different languages, cultures and customs from around the world enabling them to appreciate and respect people that live differently to them.
PLEASE NOTE: The apps and games listed here are recommended as an occasional educational supplement to your child's normal activities. They should be used in moderation and should NOT replace your child's usual outdoor and real world play. Children under the age of two should avoid screen time altogether.
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