I opened iTunes the other day and tapped on the search box to type something in. But wait – there was already a word typed in! “Khd93d09” must be a really fun app because my kids tried very hard to find it and download it. I also find “words” on my computer’s web browser and open e-mails, leading me to believe that my kids either have gotten really good at a secret code language or they just love to type out random gibberish.
Junior Typer was created by a dad in my same position – a dad who wanted to crack the code. It lets young players type until their heart’s content without activating any odd settings or accidentally dropping a pretty penny on an in-app purchase. Players can easily change the size and color of the font and the color of the background.
However, don’t be so quick to dismiss this app as just another time-buster useful for distracting kids. There’s the obvious typing skill-builder aspect, to be used by kids just learning to type or those who are struggling; in this age of technology typing as a skill is a necessity. Players can also learn their letters, work on spelling, and help boost early reading comprehension.
My little code-breakers really enjoyed playing this app. At 3 and 5 they don’t know how to spell or read but they like to think they do. My oldest wrote a “story” and told me all about it, showing off his creative-thinking process. His younger sister wrote – as far as I can tell – rules that Mommy needs to follow when it comes to picking out Sister’s outfits in the morning (pink dresses with flowers, of course). I was worried that my non-readers might not see the appeal of this app but that wasn’t the case in our house; that’s not to say other players might get frustrated because they can’t read what they’re typing.
The open-ended play in this app is well worth the download price of $0.99. While Junior Typer can be invaluable in line at the grocery store check-out stand, it also offers young players a handful of skill-building lessons.
Pros:
– Lets young players type without changing settings or making accidental in-app purchases
– Fonts and background can be customized for open-ended creative play
– Helps with letter recognition, spelling, and early reading skill-building
Cons:
– Non-readers might not see the appeal of this app
Price: $0.99
Age: 2+
Let your little ones type without changing your iPad’s settings
Please help support iPadKids by downloading the game via the App Store icon below!
