Easy Rhymes for Kids earns Teacher Approved badge!

Since its introduction, Google Play’s “Teacher Approved” badge has become the gold standard for parents navigating the vast sea of mobile content. Rather than relying solely on automated filters or developer self-reporting, this program injects human expertise into the digital storefront, ensuring that apps for children are both safe and genuinely enriching.

What is the "Teacher Approved" Badge?
The "Teacher Approved" badge is a distinct seal of quality found on the Google Play Store. Apps that earn this distinction are featured prominently in the Kids tab, providing a curated experience for families. This initiative was developed in collaboration with academic experts, including lead advisors from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Georgetown University.

When you see the badge, it signifies that the app has been reviewed and highly rated by a panel of over 200 teachers and child development specialists. Each listing even includes a specific section titled "About the ratings," explaining exactly why educators found the app valuable.

Strict Certification Criteria
To earn the badge, an app must pass a multi-layered evaluation process. It isn't enough for a game to be "not bad"; it must actively be "good" for a child’s development.

1. Core Evaluation Pillars
Teachers and specialists rate apps based on several key factors:

Design Quality: The interface must be intuitive for the target age group. For a toddler app, this means large buttons and simple navigation; for older kids, it involves more complex, engaging UX.
Appeal: The app must be genuinely "delightful." If kids don't find it fun, they won't engage with the content, regardless of its educational value.
Enrichment: Educators look for apps that spark curiosity, creativity, or imagination. This includes both formal learning (math, literacy) and healthy developmental play.
Age Appropriateness: Content must be strictly tailored to the youngest members of the target age bracket (e.g., ages 0–5, 6–8, or 9–12).

2. Families Policy Compliance
Beyond educational merit, apps must adhere to Google’s stringent Families Policy. This includes:

Ad Restrictions: Any ads must be appropriate for children and come from Google Play’s "self-certified" ad SDKs. Disruptive ads, such as those that pop up unexpectedly during gameplay, are strictly prohibited.
Data Privacy: Apps must comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other global regulations, ensuring no sensitive personal data is collected from minors without parental consent.
Monetization: In-app purchases must be gated behind a "parental hurdle" to prevent accidental spending.

The Developer's Path to Approval
For developers, there is no "apply" button for the Teacher Approved badge. Instead, developers must first opt into the "Designed for Families" program within the Play Console. Once an app is part of this program, it is automatically queued for review by the educator panel.

As of 2026, Google has streamlined this process by merging the "Designed for Families" requirements into the broader Families Policy, making it easier for honest developers to reach the Kids tab while maintaining high safety standards.

Why It Matters
In an era where "screen time" is a constant concern, the Teacher Approved badge acts as a bridge of trust. It reassures parents that the 15 minutes their child spends on a tablet is spent with content that is high-quality, safe, and vetted by the very people who teach them in the classroom.

Absolutist is proud to have a few of its educational apps and games for kids been credited the Teacher Approved badge. Our recent release, word game Easy Rhymes, was marked as innovative and fun, and easy to use. Other credited apps include interactive books Animals Around the World, Puss in Boots and Three Little Pigs, and games for toddlers Christmas Tree Decorations, Animal Hide and Seek, Shadow Shapes and Logicly.