This document provides guidance for parents on choosing educational apps to support their school-aged children's learning and development. It emphasizes thoughtfully assessing apps based on their content, the context in which they are used, and individual children's needs. The document lists criteria for high-quality apps and recommends several resources for reviewing apps, including the Wellesley Free Library website, Common Sense Media, and Reading Rockets. It also provides examples of recommended apps for skills like phonics, storytelling, social studies, science, math, and more.

1. Raising ‘App-y’ Learners
Apps to support school-aged children
Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian
Wellesley Free Library
April 3, 2015

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
• Importance of building digital literacy
• “Technology Pyramid” –
provide healthy doses of
‘nourishing’ choices
• Limit screens in the bedroom and before bedtime

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. NewYork: Basic Books.
Another great resource: Joan Ganz Cooney Center’s “FamilyTime with Apps”
FREE iBook available through itunes or at www.joanganzcooneycenter.org

4. In
frombo
Findfulla
http://bit.

5. Technology and the RealWorld
• Quality apps give kids tools that they
can’t access in the “real-world”
• Make connections between
technology and real-life experiences
• Educational apps can make
connections with school curriculum
• Use technology to enhance, not
replace real-life experiences.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnyHMSz7JD

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
• CTrex from Children’sTech Review (paid service, ltd. free results)
http://reviews.childrenstech.com/

8. Apps for phonics/spelling:
Word Wagon
SpellingCity
Alpha Writer
Endless Wordplay

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
Go Car Go

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

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