Is Khan Academy Kids a good fit for Your Child? An In-depth, No-Nonsense Review
Updated on July 10, 2023
This review was written by Manisha Snoyer, the founder and CEO of Modulo, a company that provides resources and support families who are homeschooling their children. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, Manisha has instructed over 2,000 children of all ages and abilities in three countries and 18 subjects. She has tutored at some of the best private schools in the world and throughout the NYC public school system. Manisha graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University.
Unleash the power of the digital revolution in childhood education with Khan Academy Kids, a game-changer in the world of e-learning. Covering PreK-2nd grade, this app offers an unparalleled, personalized learning experience, right from the comforts of your home.
During the pandemic, we reviewed thousands of comments from parents, and spent over 10,000 hours testing the top educational apps with our own students. Khan Academy Kids was our clear favorite for a free, personalized learning app covering all subjects for kids in PreK-2nd.
Developed as a sibling of the groundbreaking Khan Academy's website, Khan Academy Kids has cracked the code to make learning accessible and entertaining for children. While the conventional learning methods may not resonate with every child, Khan Academy Kids crafts lessons that adapt to your child's unique learning style.
Ideal for the tech-savvy generation, this app allows children to explore almost any subject, making learning a fun, self-paced adventure. As an answer to every parent's quest for an engaging educational tool, Khan Academy Kids stands out as a favorite among homeschooling families and educators alike.
Cost: Free!
Grades: PreK-2nd
Key features of Khan Academy Kids
Educational Content: Khan Academy Kids offers a wide range of educational activities, games, and lessons covering various subjects, including math, reading, writing, language arts, social-emotional learning, and more. The content is specifically designed to align with early learning standards.
Engaging Interface: The platform presents content in a colorful and interactive format, with engaging characters and animations that help children stay interested and motivated.
Personalized Learning: Khan Academy Kids adapts to each child's learning level and pace. It offers personalized recommendations based on a child's progress and provides targeted exercises to address specific areas of improvement.
Offline Learning: The app includes offline activities, allowing children to continue learning even without an internet connection. This feature can be especially useful for families with limited internet access or during travel.
Parental Controls: Parents or guardians can create accounts and customize the learning experience for their children. They can track their child's progress, set time limits, and access additional resources to support their child's learning journey.
Accessibility Features: Khan Academy Kids is designed to be inclusive and offers accessibility features such as audio support, visual aids, and a user-friendly interface that accommodates children with different learning needs.
Pros of Khan Academy Kids
Inclusive and accessible: Khan Academy Kids is designed to be inclusive and accessible to a wide range of learners. The app incorporates features such as audio support, visual aids, and a user-friendly interface
Mastery-based Learning: Let your child conquer a topic before proceeding to the next. The app's progressive learning model ensures thorough understanding, leading to accelerated learning.
Incentivized Learning: With colorful characters and captivating stories, the app motivates children to reach educational milestones, rewarding their achievements along the way.
Customizable Curriculum: Whether your child is gifted or has special learning needs, the app personalizes lessons, ensuring every child learns at their own pace.
Comprehensive Tracking: Parents, breathe easy! With built-in assessment tools, monitor your child's progress, measure their performance, and track their academic growth.
Limitless Learning, Zero Cost: Get access to unlimited subjects at no cost. Whether it's brushing up rusty physics concepts or supplementing regular learning, Khan Academy Kids is your go-to resource.
Cons of Khan Academy Kids
Screen time: We understand screen time is a concern for many. We always encourage parents to play the app with their child, engage and ask questions, rather than using it as a form of passive entertainment. Different children respond different to screen time. Try to assess your child’s individual child’s needs and cultivate a healthy digital lifestyle for their children, balancing learning with other activities.
Math program is underwhelming: While the app offers a comprehensive curriculum, some feel the math program could be more extensive. Also, mastery-based learning might not suit all children, with some finding the pace too slow.
Too test-oriented: Moreover, some users find the app's approach to testing predictable, leading to success in tests without a complete understanding of the subject.
Too traditional: The app is designed to support children in having success at school, so some might find it too traditional and aligned with requirements for standardized testing.
Not for kinesthetic learners: As with all tools, Khan Academy Kids may not be ideal for every child, especially those who are kinesthetic or have sensory challenges. It is important to understand your child's learning style before choosing an educational platform.
Homeschooling with Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids can be a great full curriculum, supplemented with a strong math curriculum for homeschooling. Many parents find homeschooling is more efficient than learning in a group setting in a classroom, and so they’ve adopted a practice of “mastery hours” where they spend two hours a day is plenty to cover all academic subjects, especially for a younger student. We recommend spending two hours a day with a core curriculum and math supplement, and using the rest of the time for extracurriculars, free play, practical life and self-directed learning. Learn more about mastery hours and see a sample homeschool schedule for an elementary student.
Reviews from parents and educators
Check out what educators and parents have to say about their experience with Khan Academy Kids.
A Speech-Language Pathologist said: "I was so impressed with how comprehensive this app is... My daughter has shown so much growth in her ability to recognize and name letters and sounds."
A parent shared: "My son with autism... has learned all about opposites and is reading!... Thank you so much for this gift!"
Another parent revealed: "We Absolutely love this app for our 7 kids that we homeschool! All the kids... love it especially for homeschooling."
Frequently Asked Questions about Khan Academy Kids
1. What is the youngest age for Khan Academy?
Khan Academy offers resources and educational content for learners of all ages. While the main Khan Academy website primarily caters to middle school, high school, and college-level students, they have a separate platform called "Khan Academy Kids" that is specifically designed for children aged 2 to 7 years old.
2. Is Khan Academy age-appropriate?
Khan Academy provides age-appropriate educational content for different age groups. The main Khan Academy website covers a wide range of subjects and is primarily aimed at older students, while Khan Academy Kids is specifically tailored to the needs of children aged 2 to 7. The content and activities in Khan Academy Kids are designed to be engaging and suitable for early learners.
3. Does Khan Academy have Pre-K?
Khan Academy does not have a dedicated Pre-K program on its main website. However, they offer Khan Academy Kids, which provides educational resources and activities suitable for children as young as 2 years old. Khan Academy Kids is designed to support early learning and development in various subjects.
4. What is the best learning app for a 7-year-old?
The "best" learning app for a 7-year-old can vary depending on the child's interests and learning style. However, some popular learning apps for 7-year-olds include Brain Pop Jr, Epic!, Prodigy Math Game, Math Tango, Toca Boca, and of course, Khan Academy Kids. It's recommended to explore different apps, consider the child's individual needs, and read reviews to determine the most suitable option. See our post 50 Educational Apps Your Kids Will Love for more guidance on choosing educational apps.
5. Is Khan Academy Kids free?
Yes, Khan Academy Kids is a free educational app available for download on mobile devices. It does not require a subscription or payment to access its content. However, please note that this information is accurate as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, and there may have been changes to Khan Academy Kids' pricing or features since then.
6. Where should a 7-year-old be academically?
Academic progress can vary among 7-year-olds, as each child develops at their own pace. Generally, a 7-year-old should be acquiring fundamental reading and writing skills, have basic numeracy abilities, and demonstrate age-appropriate social and emotional development. They may be learning about more complex math concepts, expanding their vocabulary, developing stronger reading comprehension skills, and exploring various subjects in school.
7. How can I help my 7-year-old learn?
There are several ways you can support your 7-year-old's learning:
- Encourage reading by providing age-appropriate books and reading together.
- Help with homework assignments and provide guidance when needed.
- Engage in conversations about their interests and encourage their curiosity.
- Provide opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and experiments.
- Support their organizational skills and establish a routine for studying and completing tasks.
- Communicate with their teachers to stay informed about their progress and areas of focus.
8. Should a 7-year-old be in 1st grade?
In many educational systems, 7-year-olds are typically in 1st or 2nd grade. However, educational structures can vary across different countries and school systems. It's best to refer to your specific educational system's guidelines or consult with teachers or school administrators to determine the appropriate grade level for a 7-year-old.
9. Why is my 7-year-old being so difficult?
There can be various reasons why a 7-year-old might display challenging behavior. Children at this age are undergoing significant cognitive and emotional development, which can lead to changes in behavior. Some possible reasons for difficult behavior could include frustration, lack of emotional regulation skills, difficulties with transitions or changes, environmental factors, or underlying emotional or developmental issues. It's important to approach difficult behavior with patience, understanding, and open communication. If the challenging behavior persists or significantly affects the child's well-being, it may be helpful to seek guidance from a pediatrician, psychologist, or other child development professionals.
10. How can I improve my 7 year old’s social skills?
Khan Academy Kids incorporates elements of social-emotional learning into its content to support the development of social skills in young children. While the primary focus of Khan Academy Kids is on early literacy, math, and other academic subjects, the platform also integrates activities and stories that promote social-emotional growth. These activities may include teaching empathy, understanding emotions, problem-solving, and cooperation. Through engaging stories, interactive games, and characters, Khan Academy Kids aims to foster the social and emotional development of young learners. To improve your 7-year-old's social skills, encourage playdates with peers to foster interaction and cooperation. Engage in role-playing activities to practice social scenarios, teaching empathy and problem-solving. Lead by example and exhibit positive social behavior in your own interactions. Teach active listening and effective communication techniques. Encourage participation in clubs or activities aligned with their interests to promote social connections. Emphasize respect, kindness, and inclusivity towards others. Create an open environment for communication and seek professional help if needed. With patience and consistent support, your child can develop essential social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
For more in-depth reviews on K12 curriculum to use at home, see our complete guide to homeschool curriculum.
