This was my first introduction to BrainPOP, and viewing the robot character, I knew that it would be popular with Sal. Talking to some mommy friends I found out they have a more extensive website with an array of educational clips that you can subscribe to for a fee.
There are a series of short animated clips that take on different topics. The clips are really geared more to mid-elementary school kids and older, as well as the quizzes they have after the clip. It wasn’t a perfect fit for Sal, but it did generate some good conversations around Helen Keller and Jane Goodall and the quizzes are challenging. Some of the comments I saw felt the clips were to liberal in their slant.
I’m hoping they introduce Brain Pop Jr. and will be keeping an eye out for that. It’s a good conversation starter and they do a fun job of introducing the topics.
Cost: Free!
Note: I’d like to add a bit here. After reading this review, had a good conversation with hubby about this one and he brought up some good points (it happens). Even though this one is geared to older kids – it does plant seeds and provide fodder for some great conversations. A lot of these apps – it’s not just the app itself that can provide the value – but also the discussions they can fuel and be used to reference in other topics. This app could be taken as a passive watch and learn – or it can be taken as an opportunity to discuss, work through the quiz together, and create that stepping stone.
