At home, we have limited gadget use for our 3-year old toddler. It’s part of our bedtime routine, snuggling in bed, using the gadget with mom or dad, before we read our bedtime stories. Only mommy and daddy-approved app are being used. We use music in teaching as we have noticed that Gab enjoys learning while singing.  We also use songs to teach him the Filipino Language: Gab’s First Filipino Song.

JoomaJam is a smart phone app made by the Ritmo Learning Lab.   The project JoomaJam, uses an integrated approach of learning and technology.  The mobile app contains animated songs by famous Filipino artists, teacher-approved lessons and stimulating activities that can be accessed both online and offline.

The Getting Started page summarizes and give parents a glimpse of what they can see inside the mobile app. This includes the parent’s lesson guide for the songs, sing-along videos, some recommended activities, music and lyrics (in English and Filipino) and the 5 learning areas for children and adults: Cognitive, Socio-Emotional, Physical, Creative and Linguistic. Parents can also send feedback about the topic thru email.

It has music and songs, created and sang by  beloved OPM artists, that can either be played in English or the Filipino language.  Currently, the app carries two songs about learning Colors or Kulay by Barbie Almabis and Julianne and Saving Money with the Piggy Bank or Alkansya by The Dawn.

I love that it can be played in two languages. It makes teaching English and Filipino easy for the parents and learning fun for the kids. I love both songs but I find the Saving Money song a little too strong for little ears. May be because it’s rock music and I’m not a big fan of the genre.  But other than that, it’s a good way to introduce the concepts.

Another good read for the parents is the Media Conversations. It gives tips to the parents or the caretakers on how to start and get conversations going on what kids hear on the music they listen too. As children are always looking to parents for direction and guidance, engaging them in conversions will make them feel they are important.

And since this app is fairly new, there are more things we can look forward too. I’m excited to read more articles and sing more songs to learn about Books, Numbers, Good Food, and Making Good Friends. The second volume JoomaJam will be developed for preschoolers and the rest if the K-12 students.

If you are making use of  apps and music to teach you kids,  check out JoomaJam. You will learn concepts in both English and Filipino the easy way with the help of music.  It’s also a nice way to promote and patronize our own culture, music and language.

You can download the JoomaJam app for free (for a limited time) via www.joomajam.com. It is available for iOS and Android users.

I’m definitely including this app as part of our homeschooling journey!

Ritmo Learning Lab is a start-up venture, in support of NGO RepubLikha, designed to encourage family bonding and believes the best kind of learning happens when you’re having fun. Republikha also believes quality education is for everyone. For every purchase of JoomaJam, Republikha ensures that the music finds its way to marginalized communities. Music creates bonds, experiences and memories that last, and it is best enjoyed when it is shared.