One Globe Kids - All Friends

As a teacher always looking for new ways for kids to engage with other cultures, this app caught my eye. As kids aged 6-8 are trying to work out where and how they fit in the world and how they are alike and different from kids globally, this was a terrific introduction for deeper discussions. While kids may share a classroom with kids from other cultures, this app allows kids to see how kids in other countries live - what their schools look like, their homes, what they eat, how they play. The photographs are gorgeous and engaging and the ability to practice speaking other languages is so fun for kids. One of my more socially awkward kids recorded himself responding to the child's prompts in the app and simulated a conversation with the boy from Haiti. What a terrific way to 'practice' conversation with those who are different from them and know what kinds of questions to ask to yield information they can relate to. As a curriculum head, I was pleased to see that the app nicely aligns with Common Core standards, making it even easier to incorporate this tool into everyday teaching. As a mom, my son is fairly addicted to the app, liking to quiz me on Haitian Creole vocabulary! The price includes all of the One Globe stories, making it easy to access all of the app's "friends". Nice. Hoping to see more countries soon.

Amazing app! My 7 year old and I both love it. We love books and this is a whole new way to hear a story. My 7 year old says “It isn’t all about listening, you actually get to make choices!” and “I like the fact that they are real people, and we are meeting them”. For me it’s a great way to get the conversation going about the entire world and other cultures. A springboard of learning that’s not only entertaining in the moment, but that leads to questions from my 7 year old for us to research, and take the education about culture and others around the world even further. She really wants to go visit these kids. So do I :)

I asked a fourth grader and a primary principal to review the app to get their feedback. The fourth grade girl thought "it was was cool and fun to learn how kids do things in other places". The principal said, "It is well done, and informative as it walks you through the day in the life of a child from another country. It gives you just enough information to make you want to learn more." As a classroom teacher, I plan to use it when we study other cultures to help my students understand how we are more alike than different with others around the globe. JSG

This app is simply wonderful. My 8-year-old finds the stories completely fascinating. He engages with the app in meaningful ways - talking to the kids from places like Burundi, Haiti, The Netherlands and more. I don’t know of another app out there that provides this sort of global experience for kids. Its not pretentious - its not cutesy or patronizing. Its real stories - by kids, for kids. Do the world a favor and give a kid in your life this gift - you won’t be sorry.

As a first grade teacher, I think this app is wonderful for children to learn about other children throughout the world in an interactive or story form. I love the pictures and that children can learn facts or how to speak phrases from other languages. This could make a great extension to social studies lessons learning about other countries. It is a great app to expand children's worldview.