Credit: Apple

A few months ago my daughter was struggling in kindergarten. She could count and recognize numbers, she could almost read and is a queen at phonics but her fine motor skills were very weak and she had a difficult time writing her letters. I had one of her teacher’s suggest that I pull her out and back in preschool. I knew better. She just needed to work on those fine motor skills. However that was easier said that done. Because she struggled with her writing and was becoming self conscious it was the last thing she wanted to practice…. enter the iPad.

I bought an iPad last year and in my opinion it is the one item that every family should have. It literally brought my daughter’s self confidence back and helped her become in her teacher’s opinion, one of the kids with the best handwriting  in her class by the end of the year. How did it happen? The iPad and some great apps.

I have to be honest, my children use my iPad more than I do. We have everything from educational apps, to Netflix to Angry Birds and they absolutely love every single bit. As I type my son is playing with the School Zone Kindergarten Pencil Pal Learning Game ($7.99). This cool app has a coloring program, a learning game, dot-to-dot puzzles and more. I love that the kiddos don’t even know they are learning. They actually fight to play with this app. The best part is that my son, who still has another year in preschool is writing his letters and is sounding out words!

My daughter has made amazing strides since we started using the iPad and apps. I could have spent hundreds if not more on tutoring and occupational therapist. Granted I’m going to admit the iPad is not cheap, I think I spent close to $700, but it is worth every penny and then some!!  I really can’t put a price on my children’s education and the iPad and her determination that helped her master all her skills and go from one end of the spectrum to another.

She is currently using the First Grade Pencil Pal Learning Game (Ages 6-7; $7.99) and loves it. The  School Zone’s First Grade learning is teaching her phonics, addition, subtraction in a game setting and she is eating it up. School is out next week and I know that the iPad will come in handy along with the apps. It will help keep her skills up and prepare her for the first grade.

I know the iPad is very pricey but trust me on this it is so worth it! I know that more and more school districts are integrating it into the classroom to some amazing results. I hope one day it can be more affordable and available to every student and family. Oh and one more thing, it’s a great educational tool but it also is super fun! I love it and use it for entertainment almost all day long. Trust me on this, it will be love at first touch!

For more info on the iPad head here.

For more info on School Zone Apps head here.

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I bought my iPad . I did receive codes to try out some of the School Zone apps but I have bought School Zone apps in the past and would do it in the future! They are fantastic!!!!