This document provides guidance on choosing educational apps to support school-aged children's learning and development. It discusses evaluating the content, context and individual child when selecting apps. A variety of app recommendations are provided for different subject areas like phonics, storytelling, social studies, science and math. The document emphasizes using technology to enhance real-world experiences and provides resources for reviewing apps.

1. Raising ‘App-y’ Learners
Apps to support school-aged children
Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian
Wellesley Free Library
December 5, 2014

2. Technology and Children
• All screens are not created equally
• Tablets/smartphones are multi-functional: camera,
notepad, picture book, TV, arcade, etc.
• Engage with your child when using
technology
• “Technology Pyramid” –
provide healthy doses of
‘nourishing’ choices
• Limit screen time before bed

3. Content, Context, Child
• Content
• Thoughtfully assess apps, rather than just setting time limits
• Anything can call itself ‘educational’
• Context
• In what context is the app being used?
• What role does technology play in the child’s life?
• Child
• Children have individual developmental needs
Guernsey, L. (2012). Screen time: How electronic media-from baby videos to educational
software-affects your young child. New York: Basic Books.

4. Infographic by Heather Hopp-Bruce from
bostonglobe.com.
Find full article at http://bit.ly/1rm9yp1

5. Technology and the Real World
• Quality apps give kids tools that they
can’t access in the “real-world”
• Make connections between
technology and real-life experiences
• Use technology to enhance, not
replace real-life experiences.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnyHMSz7JDE

6. Swimming in a sea of apps:
criteria for choosing quality apps
• Option to turn sound/narration on/off
• No ads or push-to-buy
• Ease of use
• Plain, clear, legible fonts
• Not busy/distracting
• Lasting power
• Supports exploration, creativity, interaction
• Don’t use an app if there is a better real-life
solution
• Customize your apps

7. App Reviews & Recommendations
•Wellesley Free Library
http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/Childrens/Apps.html
•Common Sense Media:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
•Reading Rockets:
http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps/
• Parents’ Choice:
http://www.parents-choice.org/
• Digital Storytime
http://digital-storytime.com/
•Moms with Apps (search tool, not all reviewed)
https://momswithapps.com/discover

8. Apps for phonics/spelling:
Word Wagon
Wurdle
Alpha Writer
The Electric Company Wordball- FREE

9. Storytelling apps:
Draw & Tell HD Toontastic
Book Creator
Sentence
Builder

10. Apps for Social Studies:
Apps from Kids Discover
Barefoot World Atlas
State Bingo & Road Trip
USA
Geography Drive USA
News-o-Matic
FREE

11. Science apps – natural world:
On Beyond Bugs
Dinosaurs
Solar Walk
Nat Geo Explorer - FREE

12. Science apps – building & coding
Toca Builders
Hopscotch - FREE
Kodable - FREE
Tinkerbox - FREE

13. Math apps for the younger set:
Bedtime Math - FREE
Wild Kratts Creature Math
Montessori: First operations

14. Math apps for the older set:
Dragon Shapes - FREE
Mystery Math Museum Motion Math

15. Questions?
My contact information:
Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian
Wellesley Free Library
781-235-1610 x 1108
chendricks@minlib.net
www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org