Engage Early Learners with iPad - APL Live '25

iPad includes many built-in features that can be used to support early learners.

In our Apple Professional Learning Live session, we explored how to use iPad to inspire creativity, support communication, and engage early learners in deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.

Here’s a recap on each of the experiences and some resources for you to take your learning further.

Sorting and Classifying with Pages

Learn to create a graphic organiser to support early learners to sort and classify objects using Pages.

  1. Open Pages. Choose the Blank Layout template.
  2. Add a rounded rectangle. Resize and reposition. Copy and paste.
  3. Select all three shapes. Use the Format panel to Lock and Group.
  4. Fill shapes with colour. Then add text, images, or other shapes.
  5. Share  your Pages document or collaborate with others.

 

Image of a template created in Keynote displayed on iPad for students to sort objects.

Shape Scavenger Hunt with Camera

Explore how to support shape recognition in everyday objects using Camera, Markup and Notes.

  1. Open Notes. Create a new note with a checklist.
  2. Open Camera. Take a photo and set the focus and exposure.
  3. Open Photos and select Edit. Use Markup to show the angle.
  4. Use Split View with Photos and Notes. Drag your image to Notes.
  5. Use Camera to record a reflection video for your note.

 

An iPad featuring Split View with a Notes and Photos displayed.

Building Word Families with Keynote

Use Keynote to build a word family activities to help early learners build phonemic awareness and recognise and decode similar word patterns, ultimately improving reading and spelling skills.  You could adjust this activity to suit your context and explore words from books you are reading with your students and even extend it to a vocabulary dictionary for those that are ready for it.

  1. Open Keynote, add a blank slide.
  2. Add shapes and text. Resize and reposition.
  3. Duplicate the slide multiple times. Adjust text and shapes.
  4. Add an audio recording for each sound and the word.
  5. Share your presentation or collaborate with others.

 

iPad screen showing a Keynote with the word "bat" broken into sounds with an image of a bat.

Continue your Learning 

Learn more about Compnow Academy offerings >

Bring an Apple Professional Learning Specialist or Provider to your school (Australia) >

Bring an Apple Professional Learning Specialist or Provider to your school (New Zealand) >

Attachments

Attachments

Professional Learning (PL) Professional Development iPad Early Learning Age: 0–7 years Literacy

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4 replies

July 24, 2025 Language English

Great lesson ideas and examples, Terese! These would be fantastic in any classroom. I love the use of audio in the Keynote example! 🙌

July 27, 2025 Language English

This is a very helpful activity to use with the littles. Foundational phonemic awareness is the basis of a strong reader later on in their academic career. You've shown how to make learning how to read can be fun and interactive, too!

Wow!

July 28, 2025 Language English

I love that students can utilize the record audio function within the built in apps! It's a create way for them to practice phonemes like the example here.

July 29, 2025 Language English

Thanks for the helpful and creative post Terese! Lots here for early learners as well as older students. I really like the Word Families with Keynote. Creating a vocabulary dictionary is a cool and fun idea. These practices are also great for English Language Learners.

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