HOMER is a digital learning tool aimed at helping preschoolers develop their drawing, literacy and music skills.
The company behind this offering claims that since 85% of brain development takes place before the age of 6, this is the goal of HOMER's development support.
The idea was to create an app that encapsulated everything young minds need to grow and develop well, while also being easy enough to use so that parents could use this tool as well.
Begin is the company behind the HOMER app, which is also known for creations like CodeSpark Academy, Little Passports, and KidPass. So with a lot of experience this app is designed with the right approach.
This guide aims to lay out everything you need to know to get started with HOMER.
What is HOMER?
HOMER is an app created by Begin that aims to help preschoolers learn. Primarily, this is designed to help students from ages three to eight.
The app focuses on a number of areas to help the child develop a complete skill set. This platform specifically offers learning in the areas of drawing, literacy, phonics, songs, stories, and more.
Since lessons are customized to age-appropriate levels, this can offer a consistent learning experience that is challenging without being off-putting. That's key to engagement at this age, as kids have fun and are eager to come back for more as they continue to progress naturally.
According to Begin, this app increases early reading scores by 74%. But it also focuses on social-emotional learning to offer a complete experience.
How does HOMER work?
HOMER is divided into sections so children can work on areas they need or want, including reading, math, SEL, creativity, and critical thinking. Kids can choose an area of interest to build lessons around, from space and sports to princesses and vehicles.
The lessons, which are based on research, are then tailored to the child. The levels continue to increase in complexity as children master the level they are on, creating constant progress in what seems like a natural path.
In reading, for example, children receive a lesson before having the opportunity to play games that put it into practice and finally review the section before continuing. The systematized nature of the lessons helps children learn letter sounds, capitalization, and word recognition while working on comprehension.
For teachers, this is individualized and therefore constitutes self-guided learning. Although the stories could be read in class to learn that way.
What are the best features of HOMER?
HOMER is designed primarily to teach reading and math, although the SEL content is excellent as well. The structured phonics lessons are so well developed that students can progress in a consistent path that feels perfectly challenging while still being fun. Additionally, using familiar stories and characters can help engage children with a bit of familiarity and a sense of recognition.
It is HOMER's ability to match the child's learning level, age and interests for a personalized learning experience that is crucial to the engagement this app offers.
The method used works well with the age group by working on a four-step technique. This starts by introducing the area, then offering practice opportunities before they apply that learning in a familiar context, and finally preparing them to transfer those skills to the real world.
How much does HOMER cost?
HOMER is a paid service, but it also offers a 30-day free trial to try it out before you decide to commit to subscription payments.
He Annual The plan is the most affordable in $79.99/year, that works in $6.66/month and 51% savings. This gives you unlimited access to the app, up to four child profiles, offline activities, resources and play tips from learning experts, plus no commitment and the ability to cancel at any time.
go for it Monthly plan and it is $12.99/month. This gives you all of the above just with the ability to pay month to month as you need.
HOMER's best tips and tricks
Go home
For younger children, this can be a useful homework assignment to establish additional self-guided learning.
group
For classroom use, gathering students into groups with similar abilities can be a good way to get used to the app with the support of others.
Find out
Use tracking features to see where students are, so you can offer in-class tests to see how well they've mastered new skills.
