Whether you’re homeschooling or augmenting your preschooler’s development with home learning we have some tips on how to get the most out of our educational app Hungry Caterpillar Play School.

Young children are like tiny mad scientists. Every day is an experiment for them. And like any experiment, sometimes what they try out works out and sometimes it doesn’t. And that’s okay. Learning new information about the world around them is an essential part of their development. 

And while the majority of things that your preschooler learns will be through play and communicating with their family, technology can deliver focused time that is both fun and educational.

One of the most fundamental aims of Hungry Caterpillar Play School is to deliver a positive and rewarding learning experience to young children. An experience that leaves a child feeling “Yes, I can!” and that fosters their natural curiosity. 

So, if a child responds correctly to a learning stimulus, we reward them. But, more importantly, if they give an incorrect response, we are very gentle with our feedback. 

Rather than telling them they are wrong, the child will discover that an incorrect response just doesn’t work and are encouraged to try again. If they need it, we give gentle cues to help direct them towards the correct response.

It’s also an app that functions equally great if you play through it with your child, or if you want some peace and want them to play and learn on their own in an environment that is both safe and educationally stimulating.

Learn To Read Section

Research shows that a child’s alphabet knowledge is the best predictor of their later reading achievement. Alphabet knowledge isn’t only about reciting the alphabet. It’s about knowing all aspects of each letter—what it looks like, what it is called, and the sound it makes. 

We’ve created playful learning activities to help children learn their letters in a gentle and fun way. Many of the activities are a little different each time you play them. This encourages repetition, which is critical for effective learning. 

After children complete the ABC section, they can move onto the next step of learning to read, by exploring the Learn to Read books in the Books section.

PARENT TIP : If your child has a favorite book, don’t be afraid to read it over and over again. Repetition is great for learning.

Science And Nature Section

Learning about nature and science helps children expand their vocabulary and develop a broader understanding of their world. 

Increasing awareness of environmental issues makes it even more important for children to learn about these subjects from a young age.  

The activities and non-fiction books you will find in this section help kids develop their critical thinking skills and encourage them to be aware of the natural world.

PARENT TIP : Go for a walk and talk about the things your child has learned from the app. This will create a deeper knowledge and reinforce concepts. Point things out in the real world that they have seen in the app.

Early Math Section

Early Math goes beyond numbers though, so we have also included activities that cover simple measurement and comparison, sequencing, critical thinking, and problem solving.

This section is full of charming Eric Carle characters and animals, with plenty of fun and surprises. When children are learning basic Math, it’s important they get LOTS of practice. So the activities have been designed to be endlessly repeatable—active and engaging, and different every time you play

PARENT TIP : Ask your child to count objects around the house and reward them with praise when they get it right.

ALSO : Did you know that this section also features activities that teach young children the basics of coding. It’s a skill that will be in high demand in the 21st century.

Puzzle Section

Puzzles help develop kids’ visual problem solving skills and working memory. Explore a library of jigsaw puzzles of beautifully rendered Eric Carle artwork. Learn and match shapes. This section also features some quiz books. 

These are interactive titles that are a little different every time you read them.

PARENT TIP : Recent research shows that children only learn to complete jigsaw puzzles in different ways as they develop. An average two or three-year-old uses trial and error, while an average four-year-old has usually learned to use information in the picture to complete jigsaws. Talk to your child about how to look for visual clues to show what piece goes where.

Creative Arts Section

Hungry Caterpillar Play School places great importance on the benefits of the arts in the development of children. Be it visual, auditory or pretend play art is a language that allows us to express and develop our ideas and our emotions. 

Artistic activities are full of processes and discoveries that help us to grow and stimulate our creativity, even in other subject areas.

You’ll find lots of activities here, including painting and collage and music activities.

PARENT TIP : Sing along with your toddler. They usually love it when you sing with them and it’s great for stress relief.

Media Section

You’ll find all your books and videos here. You can even shuffle play all your videos to play in a row. 

You’ll also find Eric Carle themed meditations in this section, which are designed for different circumstances during a young child’s day, including at home.

PARENT TIP : Why not join in with your child and try out our meditations? They’re designed to be fun and child friendly. You might even find it beneficial for your own wellbeing. 

Ready to start your free week of Hungry Caterpillar Play School?