[javajosh]

The only program I let my kids use is KidPix on the iPad. It's a (rather remarkable) drawing and animation program and I'm constantly amazed at what they make with it. And sometimes horrified. But the 5 yo enjoys creating scenes with sound effects (that she recorded) and animation (that she also recorded), while the 3 yo enjoys making intricate drawings and then methodically coloring everything green. It's his favorite color, and he enjoys this. Not affiliated at all, but KidPix is a great piece of software, and I wouldn't have known about it except it was on a public library computer.

My point is there is (at least) another important category of program that the researchers missed: creator software. I've also made simple songs with them with garage band, but the UI is still rather difficult for them to use it on their own. I was inspired to take this approach because my first introduction to computers was Logo on an Apple IIe, and Seymore Papert's beautiful work left a lasting impression.

[fullstop]

Tux Paint is available for iOS. There's another one that my kids loved, which was a puppet show theater app, which easily let you animate characters and add voices. Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of it.

[jrussino]

There was a discussion here a few years back about this interview/documentary with the creator of the original KidPix: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25108875

[javajosh]

Thanks jrussino! I was hoping HN would come through with some more info on the author, because it's clearly a special program, and it certainly wasn't on my radar before kids + public library. (They still call it "Kid Pix 3D" even though it's really "Kid Pix 5" on the iPad)

[lawgimenez]

It's amazing the researchers forgot to include categories like apps. The apps my 3 year old son used is Pokpok, YouTube and an iOS app I develop specifically for him since he's on the non-verbal ASD spectrum.

I believe this research is severely lacking.