A must-see for parents! App tips to make daily childcare even more enjoyable

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Introducing recommended apps for parents who want to change the “now” of child-rearing! As smartphones become more widespread, apps that shine in the field of childcare are drawing attention.

Tools that make parents’ daily lives more convenient, more enjoyable, and more useful are appearing one after another.

Here, we’ve gathered various apps—from those that record your child’s growth to ones you can use to learn, sing, and play together.

Please use this guide to the features and how to use these convenient childcare apps—born from parents’ voices—as a reference.

A must-see for parents! App tips to make daily childcare more enjoyable (11–20)

Recommended for baby weaning! Wako-chan App

community.wakodo.co.jp

Recommended for starting solids! Introducing ideas for the “Wako-chan App.” It’s a wonderful app that supports you from pregnancy through parenting.

When it’s time to begin solid foods, many people may feel anxious.

The key point of the Wako-chan App is that you can learn how to introduce solids and explore menu ideas.

By entering ingredients, you can find recipes tailored to your baby’s age in months.

It also includes features that help with allergy checks and allow you to keep daily childcare records.

There are many other convenient features as well, so be sure to give it a try.

Wako-chan app — record keeping, baby food recipe search, and ingredient management
Category: Medical Free Rating: 4.56292
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

HEY CLAY

hey-clay.com

Enjoy both the real and digital worlds! Here are some ideas from HEY CLAY.

Try creating characters in the real world with colorful clay.

You can also use the app to enjoy a digital experience.

It’s great that once the clay hardens, your creations can remain as interior decor or toys.

A guide is included, so follow it to make unique companions called “Claymates”! Take this opportunity to give it a try and have fun.

HEY CLAY®
Category: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.42105
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Picture Insect

pictureinsect.com

Let’s explore the insects we discover! Here’s an idea using the app “Picture Insect.” Some teachers may have had the experience of being asked by children during a walk or outing, “What’s the name of this bug?” That’s when the Picture Insect app comes in handy.

If you take a photo of an insect with your camera, it can identify what kind of insect it is.

What’s more, the app can be used to help protect children from dangerous insects and insect bites, so it might be a good idea to carry a company phone with the app installed during walks.

Picture Insect: Identify insects and spiders from photos
Category: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.22255
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

PictureThis

http://www.picturethisai.com

Let’s look up the names of the plants you find! Here’s an idea using the app ‘PictureThis.’ The plants you can see change with the seasons.

Even if you know cherry blossoms, tulips, hydrangeas, or Japanese maples, it can take time to find the names of small flowers or plants you’ve never seen before.

That’s when the PictureThis app comes in handy.

It conveniently tells you a plant’s name and whether it’s poisonous, helping keep children safe too! Take this opportunity to give it a try.

PictureThis: Plant Identification & Care Gardening Encyclopedia
Category: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.37622
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

SLOW

slow.brother.co.jp

Make the most of your printer and spend your time having fun! Here are some ideas from “SLOW.” The name of the app “SLOW” seems to play on the Japanese phrase meaning “let’s print.” The app offers a wide variety of content, including coloring pages, educational worksheets, designs you’ll want to display as interior decor, and decorative designs you can use for events.

It seems like an app that would be really useful during free playtime or school events.

Why not take this opportunity to try incorporating the SLOW app?

SLOW Parenting Support: A Printing App for Childcare and Parenting
Category: Lifestyle Free Rating: 4.69671
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Origami 298

mirai.education

Take a peek into the fun world of origami! Here are some ideas from “Origami 298.” Many nursery schools probably include origami activities, too.

During craft time or free play, there are always eager kids who say, “I want to play with origami!” The Origami 298 app is packed with ideas that children and adults alike can enjoy with excitement.

It introduces 298 different folding methods with clear instructions, so try aiming to complete them all or work your way through while finding your favorites.

Origami 298 Works
Category: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 3.94737
iPhone / iPad Android

Screenshot

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A must-read for parents! App tips to make daily childcare even more enjoyable (21–30)

Let’s try kendama!

kendama.fun

Let’s expand the range of children’s play! Here are some ideas from “Let’s Start Kendama!” Some preschools and kindergartens may have teachers who are skilled at kendama, but many people might not know much about it or its tricks.

That’s where the “Let’s Start Kendama!” app comes in handy.

The app includes menus such as tutorial videos for tricks, event information, and video channels.

It’s great to use for New Year’s games or traditional play gatherings.