Digital Resources: Apps Part A

Apps for Early Literacy iPad

http://www.darienlibrary.org/2011/09/11/librarian-selected-apps-early-literacy-ipad

Preschool

Rapid changes in a media environment have not been accompanied by a similar growth in our knowledge of how the media may impact children's cognitive, social, emotional, or physical development. Concerns exist but are outweighed by parents that do not want their children to fall behind (technologically speaking). What is known is that children are growing up immersed in media. It is becoming an integral part of everyday life. Like television, and all unnatural forms of learning, there needs to be balance. Exposure to new digital forms (such as apps) can bring positive results and can reinforce more natural forms of learning. 

The Darien Library website provides a list of apps that have learning benefits for young children. The Children's Library where the librarian works, circulates six "early literacy iPads" each with kits "pre-loaded with selected pas geared towards children ages 2 to 6. The apps were "specifically selected for their early literacy skill-building qualities." Looking at the list, the appeal of the iPad as a digital early learning resources is obvious. It seems that apps in moderation and approved apps for their literacy value can be a good thing. This is different from allowing a child to play with a non-education app (like angry birds). 

The following is a list of suggested apps used in the Darien Library's iPad kit--

ABC Pocket Phonics: a simply-designed app that reinforces letter knowledge. Children are encouraged to trace letter shapes and repeat the sounds.

Goosed-Up Rhymes: Not only will these Mother Goose nursery rhymes help young children develop phonological awareness, a key early literacy skill, but they are hilarious and entertaining for grown-ups, too.

Head2Toes: Rosemary Wells created the featured bunny in this entertaining, multilingual app. Children can sing along to Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

Cat in the Hat: Dr. Seuss’ classic book is brought to life in this interactive app that reinforces print awareness and vocabulary-building.

eliasMATCH: A well-designed app that boosts memory and thinking skills, while also developing letter knowledge, number recognition, and vocabulary.

eliasPAINTS: A fun coloring app that inspires creativity. Children can choose from animal, alphabet, number, or object coloring pages.

PopOut! Peter Rabbit: One of our very favorite book-based apps. Children can listen to the narrator read this classic tale while also engaging with the interactive pop-up style illustrations.

Sorting: Early literacy skills are about more than just letters and words. This simple sorting and pattern-matching app encourages the development of basic mathematical and critical-thinking skills.

Moo Baa La La La: A hilarious iPad adaptation of the best-selling board book by author/illustrator Sandra Boynton. Children can read or be read to while learning animal sounds, and discovering hidden interactive features in this barnyard romp.

3 Little Pigs: A highly readable version of the classic tale that is also entertaining and interactive. Blow into the microphone to help the Big Bad Wolf blow down the pigs’ houses. Great fun!

Nursery Rhyme with Storytime: Classic rhymes like Jack and Jill and Three Blind Mice come to life in this highly interactive, music-filled app that supports phonological awareness and helps build hand-eye coordination.

For more interesting statistics and information, see article released by Zero to Six (2003)<http://www.kff.org/entmedia/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&pageid=22754>.