For international students or English language learners, apps like DuoLingo can assist in honing their reading and writing skills. The platform uses gamified learning techniques and provides instructional content in over 30 languages.

Further, not all educational apps are created equal – quality and effectiveness can vary greatly. Before integrating any app into a learning plan, due diligence is necessary to ensure it's suitable, effective, and safe for students to use.

In conclusion, critical thinking exercises for reading comprehension entail various techniques, each aiming to foster individual cognitive skills. These exercises serve to challenge students' thinking, spark curiosity, and promote deeper engagement with texts. They aim to not only improve reading comprehension skills but also to equip learners with a broader set of cognitive abilities that are beneficial in everyday life.

ABCmouse, a comprehensive early learning academy, offers an online curriculum for children from ages 2-8. A wealth of over 10,000 learning activities across reading, math, science, and art captivates young learners, while providing parents with progress reports and resource guides to help manage their child's learning pathway.

The increasing ubiquity of smartphones and tablets in households worldwide has also made accessibility of these educational apps easier. Regardless of location or time of the day, students can use these apps, provided they have internet access. Such easy access to learning materials is especially crucial in situations where traditional learning is hindered, like the COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant school closures.

Another widely used exercise is illustrative mind mapping. Simplifying complex information into a mind map facilitates understanding by visualizing the material, leading to a better grasp of the topic. It also contributes to cognitive organization and information retention.

Some popular platforms providing online reading comprehension passages include ReadWorks, CommonLit, and ReadTheory, among others. These platforms offer numerous passages with accompanying comprehension questions, thus helping to build students' reading, analytical, and inference skills. Many such resources also feature a personalized learning system, and the difficulties of passages and questions are adjusted according (through AI technology) to the students' learning curve, providing a truly individualized learning experience.

Undoubtedly, the rising landscape of educational websites provides perfect interactive platforms for kids to delve into an immersive world of learning while offering sensational resources to parents determined to steer their child's education effectively. They have metamorphosed the traditional concept of tutoring, thus, becoming indispensable tools in the homes and is homeschooling a reliable form of education for high school hands of many parents and kids around the globe.

Critical thinking exercises often start with basic questioning. Students are encouraged to question the author's intent, the credibility of the information, and the overall purpose of the text. By questioning these elements, students gain a deeper understanding of the text beyond the apparent. This questioning approach extends to the interpretation of facts and figures presented in the text, promoting independent thinking and analytical skills.

Creating an interactive learning space, the program encourages children to write about their experiences in the playground, observations of nature, and imaginative stories inspired by their surroundings. Essentially, it shows children that writing is not just a school activity; it's a tool for clear thinking and communication. By showcasing writing as a fun and exploratory process, the program manages to obliterate any preconceived apprehensions and fears associated with it.

It is imperative for educators to incorporate these exercises in their teaching strategies. By doing so, they not only empower learners with the ability to understand and critique texts but also prepare them to navigate an increasingly complex and information-heavy world with discernment and intelligence.

Furthermore, the current emphasis on individualized learning recognizes that each child is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, interests, and pace of learning. Lessons are tailored to address individual needs, thereby significantly promoting capacity development.

In terms of advancement over the status quo, the Kids on the Yard program is definitely ahead. Traditional education systems often focus solely on theoretical aspects, neglecting the practical application of learning. On the contrary, steps to becoming a preschool teacher this program emphasizes experiential learning, which helps in strengthening the child's concepts and boosting their writing prowess.

The advantages of such platforms extend beyond writing; they introduce kids to digital literacy, a skill quintessential in the 21st century. Additionally, apps such as 'Grammarly' have improved grammatical proficiency by offering instant corrections with explanations, aiding self-paced learning.