Xander Blog
Teacher Feature: Cecilia Campbell
Here at Xander we are grateful for the special role teacher’s play in children’s lives and we honor a select few who are passionate about their learners and using technology in their lessons. Meet Cecilia Campbell from Erika Primary School in Mosselbay in the Western Cape. She... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Joahan Ganesan
This week we spoke to Johannesburg mom and teacher to her 4 kids, Joahan Ganesan. Take a sneak peak into her busy and extremely well organised life. Tell us about yourself? I am a 41 year old mom of four, aged 17, 11, 9 and... Read the Post
Toys that Help with Brain Body Development
Kids love to play, but doing so is also the primary way in which they learn about the world. Different forms of play and different toys help them learn different skills, developing both body and mind. If you’ve got little ones and want to encourage their... Read the Post
Apps we love: April 2017
This month we gave our awesome kid reviewers the months off to enjoy the school holiday and shared our thoughts on Colourfly, Hidden Pictures and Dr. Panda Restaurant. Each of these apps is fun and challenging in their own way. They each teach different skills and are... Read the Post
African Folklore Stories: Clever Jackal Gets Away
In this month’s Africa Folklore story we hear how clever Jackal tricks the great and mighty Lion. Share your favourite African folklore story with us here or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Xander Mom: Nikki Lincoln
This month we meet blogger and design fundi Nikki Lincoln who shares her thoughts about technology and her family with us. Tell us about yourself? My name is Nikki, I’m a 32 year old mom to 2 gorgeous little girls – Sophie (3) and... Read the Post
Expert Interview: Natalie Petersen
Tell us about yourself and your background? My name is Natalie Petersen. I live and work in Stellenbosch. I am an Operations Manager for Tribage App Studio, we make educational and social impact apps for other companies and organisations. I love cats and I’m the oldest... Read the Post
Enhance kids’ development with the use of technology
There’s no doubt about the growing function of technology in children’s development. While there’s no replacement for learning with other people, or exploring new ideas through messy activities like worm farming, technology can act as an additional aid to independent learning. Technology can also be used collaboratively to... Read the Post
March App Review: Kid’s Choice
This month our reviewers picked their favourite apps and shared their thoughts with us. Onalo Konono: Subway Surfer First up Onalo Konono (aged 7) from East London showed us how to play her favourite app, Subway Surfer. Take a look at what she had to... Read the Post
African Folklore Stories: The Curse of Chameleon
This month’s African folklore story is about how Chameleon ended up walking so slowly and disguising himself in the trees. Do you have any ideas for an African Folklore Story you’d like us to record and share? Send us an email with your idea... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Mandy Lee Miller
We spoke to super mom and blogger, Mandy Lee Miller, about her blogs, her family and her thoughts on technology, learning an chores. Tell us about yourself? I’m a mommy to a 2 year old named Charlotte (Charly) Rose. My husband and I have... Read the Post
Teacher feature: Marga Jonker
The role played by the people who teach your children is crucial. They do not only teach them academic subjects but often life subjects as well. It is often a thankless job and at Xander we want to take time to celebrate the incredible teachers out... Read the Post
Xander Kids App Reviews – February 2017
This month we have some new reviewers who took some time out of their busy schedules to play with some great apps and let us know what they think of them. This month our reviews are Cailey (8 years old), Mieka (8 Years old) and the... Read the Post
African Folklore Stories: Why the Warthog is on his Knees
Story-telling is such an important part of a child’s development and encourages a love of adventure, imagination and curiosity. In Africa story-telling is part of a long oral tradition passed down from generation to generation; and with the turn of modernity this is being lost to... Read the Post
Xander Dad: Vije Vijendranath
This week we spoke to tech-savvy, start-up pioneer and dad, Vije Vijendranath about his blog for dads, his views on technology and kids and his family. We met Vije’s wife Shan last year as well. Tell us about yourself? I’m a father of 2.... Read the Post
Expert: Thandekile Ngema
We spoke to teacher and education consultant for the Breteau Foundation, Thandekile Ngema about using mobile apps in the classroom. She shared some great advice for teachers wanting to add a tech element to their classrooms. 1. Tell us about yourself and your background? I am... Read the Post
Xander Kids App Reviews: January 2017
This year we are revamping the way we do App reviews. Every month we will be interviewing some awesome kids who have played with the list of apps we send them each month. This month we spoke to Onalo Konono (Aged 7), Onthatile Mogano (Aged 6),... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Njeri Wangari-Wanjohi
We’re kicking off the new year with an inspiring Xander mom, Njeri from Kenya. She talked to us about her family, her thoughts on technology and education and shared some great parenting tips with us. Tell us about yourself? My name is Njeri Wangari-Wanjohi. I... Read the Post
Things to do with Kids this Summer | Cape Town
Cape Town is amazing during the summer months as the city becomes alive with the unmistakable energy of happiness. There are so many cultures and languages, people of different backgrounds to mingle with, so many fun and exciting activities to take part in and the... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Anita Boxoza
This month’s dynamic Xander Mom is Anita Boxoza. She talked to us about her fun a one of our favourite news blogs, Chocolate Hair Sisters, her gorgeous little girls and shared some parenting tips to live by. Tell us about yourself? I am Anita,... Read the Post
Meet the Voices: The Xander Spel Kids
The Xander Afrikaans Spel apps were specially created in partnership with WOW (Woorde Open Wêrelde) at the University of Stellenbosch. The WOW national spelling bee is the top Afrikaans school spelling competition in South Africa. Xander used the top spellers in this competition in various grades... Read the Post
Things to do with kids (Part 3) Durban
Heading into the school holidays soon and having looked at fun family activities and outings in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria, it’s time to look at what Durban has to offer. Learn & Play Image courtesy of Night Jar Travel uShaka Marine World uShaka Marine... Read the Post
Xander visits Durbanville Preparatory
Durbanville Preparatory is a dual-lingual prep-school with classes from Gr 1 – 3 and I, Marga Jonker, am the isiXhosa second additional language teacher. My focus is on the grade 3 pupils with introductory isiXhosa, isiXhosa Second Additional Language. Our theme for this term was My... Read the Post
Meet the Voices: The Next Generation
In the first installment of our ‘Meet the Voices’ series we met the original group of voices who recorded for Xander apps. Today we will speak to the next generation of voices who were part of Xander’s expansion to new languages and the translation of more... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Shiko Nguru
This month we spoke to Kenyan blogger, Shiko Nguru from the blog The Green Calabash about her awesome blog, family and she shared some great parenting tips with us. Tell us about yourself? My name is Shiko and I’m the proud mum to... Read the Post
WOW National Spelling Competition Winners 2016
From the team here at Xander we would like to congratulate all the learners from all over the country who participated in the WOW national Afrikaans spelling competition 2016 finals in Stellenbosch a few weeks ago. Here is a look at the winners in each grade. We’d... Read the Post
Meet the Voices: The Originals
So much goes into the creation of an app: The idea, creating a workable app spec, design, UX and of course sound. In the case of Xander the voices we use are crucial to the overall experience of the app. Here at Xander we believe that... Read the Post
Online libraries for children
The evolution of education and the inevitable introduction of the EdTech industry has opened a whole new world of learning for our kids. Mobile apps, educational games and digital books are available at the click of a button. Image courtesy of Collins Freedom to Teach... Read the Post
Fun with the kids (Part 2): JHB & PTA
We’ve curated a list of some great family activities to do with your family as the warmer months return. Try them out and let us know what you think. Johannesburg Learn & Play Image courtesy of City Site-Seeing Johannesburg Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour... Read the Post
Experts: Mobile Developers
This week we took time to speak to the developers who build the Xander apps about their lives, their work and what they think of using apps and mobile technology for educational purposes. Nico Ungerer Tell us about yourself and your background? Father of... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Mariska Burger
We spoke to a dynamic business woman and dotting mom, Mariska Burger, about her work, her family and asked for a few pro tips on coping with a busy toddler while working full time. Tell us about yourself? I’m a marketing engineer, passionate about people, technology... Read the Post
Our Favourite Apps (Part 2)
We’ve been playing with some great apps this month and here is a list of some of our favourites. Try them yourself and tell us what you think. This is My Story This Is My Story (And I’m Sticking To It) is an... Read the Post
How to: Buying Apps
Being tech-savvy may be something you haven’t yet embraced. New technology feels overwhelming or may seem like it’ll take too long to “figure out”, and as parents, really, who has extra time? But, there are apps that will save you time in the long run and... Read the Post
How Tablets Enhance Learning For Young Users
While some consider mobile devices as a distraction, different studies have proven just how effective these tech gadgets can be in enhancing the learning experience for students, specifically younger users. In particular, the usage of iPads in the classroom through blended learning have been... Read the Post
Fun with the kids (Part 1): Cape Town
With holidays just around the corner and the glorious sun coming out to play, we’ve curated a list of family fun and educational trips for your family. This is for Cape parents and visitors only. Watch this space for other areas coming soon. Learn & Play... Read the Post
EdTech Expert: Siobhan Thatcher
EdTech is a hot buzz word around the air right now. Being involved in education and technology we take this very seriously and consulted with an expert on the matter. Tell us about yourself and your background? After leaving school in 2002, I studied Journalism... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Sibella Knott-Craig
This week we’re happy to introduce you to the founder and CEO of Tribage (the company that makes Xander apps) and many other apps and digital books, Sibella Knott-Craig. Tell us about yourself? My name is Sibella Knott-Craig and I just love to laugh.... Read the Post
Our favourite apps for kids (Part 1)
We’ve spent some time online playing and learning and have come up with a list of some of our favourite apps available on various platforms for kids. Of course each app offers its own educational aspect and a buckets of fun. Try out some of these... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Wangari
This week and we have awesome working mom and blogger, Wangari, all the way from Nairobi, Kenya. She took some time out to talk to us about her lovely family, parenting and her blog. Tell us about yourself? My name is Wangari and I... Read the Post
Olympics, young children and competition
“The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps, Olympic-medal winning swimmer (current) As I decadently indulged in watching the Rio Olympics (lazily & horizontally), I marvelled at what I saw: superhuman ability to dig deep, to invite pain and to fearlessly... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Charlene
This week’s Xander Mom is Charlene from the Pretty Please Charlie blog. She took some time out of her very busy schedule to chat to us about her lovely family and her awesome blog. Tell us a bit about yourself? My name is Charlene... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Shan Vijendranath
Meet this week’s Xander Mom, Shan Vijendranath from the you, baby & i blog. She is a busy mom of two but found some time to chat to us about her blog and her family. Tell us about yourself? I’m Shan – Wife to Vije Vijendranath,... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Maz Halliday
Meet Maz Halliday from the Caffeine and Fairydust lifestyle and parenting blog. She chatted with us about her family, her blog and few other things. Tell us about yourself? I am a senior Fashion Designer supplying ladies fashion to one of our country’s leading... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Thando Msomi
Meet Xander Mom, Thando Msomi from the Modern Zulu Mom blog. She spoke to us about her family, her blog and gave us some great advice to deal with dinner time and managing it all. Tell us about yourself? My name (Thando) means love... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Karen Du Toit
Meet Karen Du Toit from MomAgain@40 blog. She chatted to us about her family and her blog and shared her unique insight into have a small child around the house. Tell us about yourself? I became a mother a second time around after the... Read the Post
Kid Friendly Restaurants in Cape Town
It is often a challenging to choose a restaurant to take your kids to, because not only do you want them to enjoy the food, you also want them to have fun. Crush Mag Online has put together a list of places that have something interesting for the little... Read the Post
Xander Mom: Zayaan Schroeder
Meet our latest Xander Mom, Zayaan Schroeder from Cape Town. She took some time out of her very busy schedule to chat to us about her blog, her family and gave us some awesome tips for parents. Tell us about yourself? I’m a writer... Read the Post
Pokémon Go and your kids
Whether you’re into gaming or not, you’ve most likely heard of (or been knocked over by a distracted player holding their phone at eye-level) Pokémon GO, a treasure-hunt game based on your actual location. Now before you go downloading this app for your dearest darling... Read the Post
