What Educational Apps Are Parents Using to Help Their Kids Succeed in School?

When Helping with Homework Becomes a Daily Stress

For many parents, evenings feel like a battleground. You're rushing home after work, putting together a quick dinner, and then comes the most daunting task of the day—homework. If you’re parenting a child aged 6 to 12 who struggles with focus, comprehension, or just plain motivation, even simple homework can spiral into frustration—for both of you.

You're not alone. Thousands of parents are asking the same questions: How can I support my child without turning every evening into a meltdown? Is there a better way to help them learn without hovering over their shoulder? The answer, more and more often, is yes—and it often begins with the right digital tools.

The Turning Point: Technology as an Ally, Not a Crutch

Technology doesn’t replace your involvement, your encouragement, or that reassuring hug when your child bursts into tears over math. But it can lighten the load—especially when it's designed with children's needs in mind.

Many families now find relief through educational apps thoughtfully built for real-world challenges: short attention spans, different learning styles, and low academic confidence. According to countless families we've interviewed, apps that complement—not compete with—schoolwork have made all the difference.

Finding the Right Tools for Your Child’s Learning Style

When Julia, a mother of two in Lyon, reached out, she described her son Lionel’s mounting disengagement with school. “He doesn’t see the point anymore. Reading a lesson doesn’t do anything for him—but ask him about a video game storyline, and his eyes light up,” she told us.

Julia’s experience isn't rare. Some kids are visual learners. Others need movement or sound. Still others thrive when they can be the protagonist in their own story. The best educational tools, she discovered, adapt to these differences rather than forcing kids into a mold.

One resource Julia found surprisingly helpful involved turning lesson content into short, personalized audio adventures—complete with Lionel's name and favorite themes. He could review his science or history topics while imagining himself as the hero of his own mystery. This approach, built into the Skuli App, allowed Lionel to go over material in a fun, immersive format that didn’t feel like studying at all.

Listening to lessons in the car on the way to practice became a new routine. Not only did it ease the pressure at home, but it also helped Lionel feel more capable in class the next day. You can learn more about how choosing the right digital tools can support your child's learning journey.

What Parents Are Actually Using—And Why

Based on conversations with families and educators, these types of solutions are most often embraced—not for their tech novelty, but because they make hard moments easier:

• Problem: Passive reading doesn’t work. Some kids simply can’t retain what they read. Parents we spoke to found success with apps that transform static content—lessons written on paper or a whiteboard—into dynamic review tools. For example, taking a quick photo of a day’s lesson and instantly turning it into a personalized quiz helps reinforce key points and makes repetition feel like a game.
• Problem: No time to review together. Many parents wish they could sit every evening and go through homework line by line, but realistically—it’s often not sustainable. Tools that convert written lessons into audio allow children to review calmly on their own or during “in-between” moments, like driving or brushing their teeth.
• Problem: School anxiety and low confidence. When children feel like they’re failing at school, they start to dread anything learning-related—including even the best apps. That’s why personalization matters. Using children’s names, their favorite topics, or even adventure formats helps build a sense of ownership and reduce anxiety over “getting the answer wrong.”

For more examples of how fun and educational apps can be used after school, even by kids who are resistant to learning, read this guide for families.

From Struggle to Confidence: What Success Looks Like

Not every child will fall in love with school overnight. But parents report that the right digital support can help shift the emotional climate: They begin to see their child voluntarily revisiting material, feeling more confident before a test, or even excited to “beat” the next quiz.

In one family’s case, their daughter Sofia had almost given up on math. But once they started using an app that turned lessons into interactive games matched to her curriculum, her confidence began to rebuild. She even started guiding her younger brother through challenges, acting like a mini tutor. Stories like Sofia’s are part of the growing conversation on how apps can help rebuild a child’s trust in their own abilities.

No “Perfect App”—Just the One That Fits Your Child

Navigating today’s digital world can be overwhelming. There are endless options, and not every app will work for every child. But you don't need a “perfect” solution. You need something that meets your child where they are—whether that’s a visual learner who needs more repetition, an auditory thinker who benefits from hearing lessons aloud, or a dreamer who thrives on storytelling.

If that app also allows you to take a photo of your child's handwritten notes and instantly transform them into something interactive—like a quiz or even a custom story—that’s a win. For many parents we’ve worked with, even just knowing what’s possible with today’s tools brings relief.

A Final Word to the Tired, Loving Parent

If you’re reading this at 10 p.m. after another exhausting homework session, take a breath. Helping your child thrive in school is a journey, and there are new allies out there—from teachers to technology—that can lighten the weight on your shoulders and help your child feel capable again.

Whether you explore an app like Skuli, which offers personalized audio adventures using your child's name, or try another that fills a different need, you’re doing something incredible: showing up, learning, adapting—and believing in your child’s ability to grow.

Want more ideas on making homework time less painful? Read our article on how tech can change how your child feels about learning.