Samsung KidsTime App: Recap and Conclusions

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I’ve written a couple of blog posts on Samsung KidsTime. You may refer to them by clicking here and here. Today I’m going to recap some of the app’s main features and conclude my findings and observations.

Before that, I also want to review some of the games and activities on Samsung KidsTime. There are several categories such as:

I can SOLVE. The games under this category focus on Math. Ethan’s favourite is the one that I marked with an arrow.

It has Math activities such as the above and more. It challenges Ethan to think quickly as there is a time frame to it. I like it when Ethan spends time on a device positively.

I can DISCOVER. These games are adventure driven and have the elements of Science in them.

I can GROW teaches toddlers to grow up safely and happily. Ayden’s favourite game is in here. Can you guess which one? Yes, obviously it is the PANDA game.

I can READ helps in improving your language skills.

It has interesting interactive activities to supplement Ethan’s English skills. It also accomodates for local users – they have a selection of language options like Bahasa Melayu for you to choose from. Plus, they will be coming out with some localised content with our very own Malaysian twist to it soon, so stay tuned!

There are other categories such as I can BUILD and I can EXPLORE too but why not you check it out yourself? For those of you who are Samsung users, you can download this app from the Android Market or Samsung Apps Store as Samsung is offering a free subscription for a month to get a free pass to more than 80 games and e-books. Subsequently, the subscription cost is only at RM15.90 a month .For more information you can visit their website here.

Now, let me recap on some of the app’s main features:

#1 Time Control

I always have these mixed feelings when allowing Ethan some screen time on the tab as I am afraid that he might get carried away with it and refuse to stop but with Samsung KidsTime’s time setting function, parents are given the advantage of limiting the time their children get to spend on the tab without the stress of nagging them to stop.

Observation: In the past, I’ve always had a verbal agreement with Ethan before allowing him to use the tab. Very often we always overlook on the time as we can get very engrossed when spending time on screen. With Samsung KidsTime’s Time Setting function, it will auto cut off once the time is up. Ethan was surprised the first time it happened but it gave him a mental note that the tab means business. 15 minutes means exactly 15 minutes.  Now, he is more aware of the time remaining while playing on the tab and might even stop shortly before the time is up because he doesn’t want the timer to beat him to it :P

#2 Child Usage Report

With the Dashboard, we can track our child’s activities and progress on the tab.

Observation: Previously, when I handed the tab to Ethan, I never followed-up on what he had been doing with it. Only when I am seated next to him do I know what he is occupied with but even that, I won’t be able to gauge if his activities are supplementing the current school’s curriculum. But now I am able to track his progress and what is best is the report breaks down on how much Math, Reading, Science and more he has been doing so I know what he is lacking on and can encourage him to cover those areas more the next time he gets the tab. Even the app will suggest the next activities for Ethan that will cover the areas he did not cover earlier.

#3 App Lock

Ethan is an explorer. Give him the tab and he’ll end up browsing every single game there is inside. That’s not all. He loves downloading new games even without my permission. Most of the times, while browsing, he ends up being led to some suspicious sites much to my dismay. I felt very helpless as I can’t be sitting next to him to watch him all the time.

Observation: With Samsung KidsTime’s App Lock feature, Ethan will only stay within the KidsTime environment, giving me peace of mind. I still allow him to explore though when I am seated next to him. But when I am in the kitchen or busy minding Ayden, I’ll use the App Lock so I know Ethan will be safe online.

#4 No in app purchases

Have you ever experienced your kid purchasing apps without your knowledge? I haven’t but my friends have so I am really paranoid about it. It scares the heck out of me knowing that there is this possibility that it can happen and the worst part is getting the bomb in our credit card bills of course.

Observation: Samsung KidsTime has no in-app purchases so Ethan won’t be distracted by unwanted attention. I can also be assured that he won’t be tempted by those ads popping up like popcorns after each game because there are no ads in Samsung KidsTime.

Watch this app walkthrough video to learn more about Samsung KidsTime:

Conclusion:

Samsung KidsTime App creates a safe haven online for the little ones. I prefer to let the kids spend time on the tab rather than the TV as interactive content like Samsung KidsTime is better than those passive ones on TV. Interactive play will enhance a child’s thinking and decision making skills unlike being lazily spoon-fed with information by watching tv. With the security provided by Samsung KidsTime, I can let Ethan and Ayden spend time on the tab together. What is best is that they actually learn some social skills such as sharing and taking turns by playing together on the same tab. The most important factor is as a parent, I am not using the tab as just a time filler for the kids. Not only is the app entertaining, it is also educational, giving the kids a positive experience each time they use it.

Samsung KidsTime is more than play because children actually learn through play with these educational apps. It also helps guide Ethan to use the tab more responsibly.

The app is most suitable for children age 3 to 7 years old but it also has some of the best apps for toddlers. I can already see Ayden benefiting from this KidsTime app as he always watches the big brother playing. Ayden particularly loves the panda game categorised under “I Can Grow”. It teaches children basic common sense such as learning which food is safe to consume and to stay away from those colourful pills as they are not candy. It also teaches safety around the home and more. Here is a video of Ethan and Ayden having fun with the game.

As you can see, Darling is right there with the boys. I was actually there too but you can’t see me as I was the one who recorded that :P This is now our evening routine. We will spend some quality time with the boys while they are on the tab and guide them should they have questions. It is a great family bonding time.

We went back to our hometown last weekend. Ethan always dreaded the long journey but this time, he was happily occupied with the activities on Samsung KidsTime and did not even realise that we were already halfway through our destination. What’s best is that I am there with him to answer all his questions arising from his activities on the app. Travelling is so much more fun when the questions he asks are NOT, “Are we there yet?” every minute.

Though I don’t believe in using the tab to babysit my children, I am proud to say that I do allow them to have some quality screen time. In this age we live in, it is important to let the kids embrace technology as long as we do it responsibly. Samsung KidsTime is more than play. It is an app for kids that helps advance the boys’ learning experience.