Educational App Scorecard

Can you explain the specific skill, knowledge, or creative purpose this experience supports?

Look for: A focused purpose that matches what the child actually does—not a broad “educational” label.

Does the child make meaningful choices, solve problems, explain ideas, practice, or create?

Look for: The child does the mental work instead of mainly watching, swiping, or following decorative prompts.

Does feedback help the child understand a mistake and decide what to try next?

Look for: Specific hints, examples, or retry opportunities rather than only sounds, points, or “wrong” messages.

Can the experience fit the child’s current level while letting them pause, retry, save, and exit?

Look for: Manageable challenge, clear navigation, and a genuine way out of every activity.

Can the child talk about, demonstrate, or use the learning in another activity or setting?

Look for: Ideas that invite conversation, collaboration, movement, making, or application away from the device.

Is the experience free from unnecessary ads, purchases, autoplay, streak pressure, and distracting rewards?

Look for: Motivation comes mainly from the activity and growing competence, not pressure to keep clicking.

Can an adult tell what data is collected, why it is needed, who receives it, and how to delete it?

Look for: No unnecessary account, location, contacts, camera, microphone, behavioral advertising, or public profile.

Can the intended child perceive, navigate, and understand it without avoidable barriers or stereotypes?

Look for: Useful audio/text controls, readable visuals, multiple ways to respond, and respectful representation.