This document discusses apps and technology use with youth. It addresses why apps should be used, when they are appropriate, and how to best utilize them. Key points covered include using apps to promote learning, engagement and positive emotions. Guidelines are provided around age-appropriate usage and co-viewing experiences. Specific app recommendations are made for literacy, science, math and other subject areas. References and resources for finding educational apps are also included.

1. Apps & Youth
WHY?
WHEN?
HOW?
Hayley McEwing
Blog: www.librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com

2. Work or
Play?

3. Emotions & Learning
Attention
“Remember: Children
do not pay attention
when they are bored or
frustrated, and they do
not learn when they
are not paying
attention (11).”

4. Emotions & Learning
Assimilating/Remembering
“ . . . attuning to our
feelings, according to
neurological research,
helps us find the
meaning in data …,
Emotions science now
tells us, are part of
rationality, not
opposed to it (42).”

5. Emotions & Learning
Importance of Play
• ECRR = Print Motivation as a building block
for reading
• ECRR 2 = Play as a practice for all learning

6. Access and Interest
Drive
Learning
“Science of Interest” by Annie Murphy Paul in S

7. Why Apps?
“…every new
technology is
an opportunity
for learning.”
http://pbskids.org/lab

8. References
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/958.full.pdf
• Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards;
Guidelines for Early Care and Education Settings. (2011) :
http://nrckids.org/CFOC3/PDFVersion/list.html (Standard 2.2.0.3: Limiting Screen
Time – Media, Computer Time)
• Dr. Patricia Kuhl
• http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/2010/07/minds-brains-and-early-learning-how.h
• http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies.html
• Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media:
http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/
• Lisa Guernsey, author of Screen Time: http://www.lisaguernsey.com/
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC):
http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children/infants-and-toddlers
• NAEYC + Fred Rogers Center Joint Statement
• http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children
• http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/KeyMessages_Technology.pdf
• “Young Children and Media” ALSC webinar (2013) with Chip Donahue, Director of
Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center
http://teccenter.erikson.edu/files/NAEYC_Position_Statement_slides_11_12.pdf

9. Key Practices for
Children and Media
• Limits, especially for ages 0 – 3
• Joint media engagement
– relationship/social-based education
• physical closeness
• conversation
• Intentional use  3 C’s by Guernsey
– content (quality apps)
– context (how)
– consider the individual child

10. App Resources
• Apps Gone Free by AppAdvice.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apps-gone-free-best-da
• App Lists for Education http://appitic.com/
• http://www.hbook.com/category/choosing-books/app-re
• http://www.theiphonemom.com/
• https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ipad/

11. App Resources
• http://littleelit.com/ and
http://www.pinterest.com/littleelit/
• http://www.slj.com/category/booksmedia/reviews/apps/
• http://www.smartappsforkids.com/
– Free App of the Day category

12. Why Use Apps/iPads
in Educational Settings
• To provide access to new technology and the
information/learning that comes with it
• To demonstrate best practices on using the
technology (e.g. joint engagement)
• To extend and support all learning, digital
literacy included
– Fox in Socks by Oceanhouse Media
• To motivate/make positive emotional
connections… to learning, to others, to oneself
– Singing Fingers by Beginner’s Mind

13. When to Use Apps/iPads
in Educational Settings
• Projection with an adapter and VGA extension cord
– Extra visuals, e.g. lyrics or photographs
– Glow Draw by Indigo Penguin Limited
• Involve kids, e.g. special needs / multiple
intelligences
– Where Do Balloons Go? by Auryn Inc.
– Rah, Rah Radishes pics & rhythm sticks
• Can’t have the real thing (e.g. cost, practicality,
safety)
– Live Butterfly Garden by Questsphere
– Star Walk by Vito Technology Inc ($)

14. How to Use Apps/iPads
in Educational Settings
• Incorporated with other activities
– Wee Willie Winkie rhyme with toy clock and
sunset backdrop
– My First Wood Puzzles: Dinosaurs by Alexandre
Minard as one of the toy choices during playtime
after program  Sound Touch Lite app for sibling
• With a partner
– Jelly Doodle by Shoe the Goose –Print Awareness!
– iPad Play program – adult and kid focusing on an a
subject specific app

15. Literacy
• Alphabet
– Alphabet Tracing by Oncilla Technologies Inc
– Stumpy's Alphabet Dinner by Roo Roo
• Phonics/Sound
– ABC Alphabet Phonics - Preschool Kids Game Free
Lite by GrasshopperApps.com
– Phonics Fun 1 by Innovative Net Learning Limited
– Phonics Genius by Innovative Mobile Apps
– Rhyming Words by GrasshopperApps.com
– Sound Touch Lite by SoundTouch
– Touch the Sound by Innovative Mobile Apps

16. Literacy
• Sight Words/Reading
− Eggy 100 by Blake eLearning
− Endless Reader by Originator Inc.
– Futaba by INKids - can program with own word lists
– Sight Words 2 : 140+ learn to read flashcards and games
app for kids. Play word bingo! by eFlashApps, LLC
• Vocabulary
– Touch and Learn Emotions by Innovative Mobile Apps
Endless Alphabet by Callaway Digital Arts

17. Literacy
• Tell Stories/Narrative Skills
– AutoRap by Smule
– Dr. PetPlay Free by Pretendasaurus
– Felt Board by Software Smoothie ($)
– Felt Board – Mother Goose on the Loose by
Software Smoothie
– Pepi Doctor by Pepi Play
− Story Wheel by EverAge
− Toca Kitchen Monsters by Toca Boca AB
− Toontastic by Launchpad Toys

18. Science
− Audubon Guide apps ($)
− Dynastid Beetle by CJ Educations ($)
– Human Body by Tinybop ($)
– I Love Mountains by Forest Giant Inc
– Kids Discover apps ($)
Live Butterfly Garden by Questsphere
– Noisy Bug Sing Along by Dawn Publications ($)
– Science Reading Comprehension by Abitalk
Incorporated
– Soundrop by Develoe LLC
Star Walk by Vito Technology Inc ($)
– Weird but True by National Geographic Society

19. Math & Money
– Amazing Coin by Joy Preschool Game
– Chicken Coop Fractions Game by Lumpty Learning
– Cosmic Reactor Math by Fingerprint ($)
– Counting Money by King’s Apps
– Counting and Skip Counting by Ikidspad LLC
– Kids Connect the Dots lite by Intellijoy
– Motion Math Hungry Fish by Motion Math ($)
– Motion Math Wings by Motion Math
– QuickMaths+ by Shiny Things ($)
– Tiny Chicken Learns Currency by TaptoLearn Software
– Todo K-2 Math Practice by Locomotive Labs

20. Apps & Youth
WHY?
WHEN?
HOW?
Hayley McEwing
Blog: www.librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com