Product Review: Dinosaur Train Apps through ‘The Ready to Learn’ Initiative *Interactive* (Ages 3-5)
Powered by A Ready to Learn Grant
As un-savvy as I may think I am when it comes to technology, it isn’t for lack of access, just my lack of aptitude. My dad purchased an Apple II GS when I was in 2nd grade and I began typing and playing educational computer games as young as 7 (1986 people! Different time, I swear!). My dad believed in the power of technology and while we didn’t have the latest and greatest in any other areas, we were always ahead of the curve on computer technology until the Power Macs came out and with it went our Apple relationship for some time. However, we did get a cost-effective PC when the price came down and I learned how to read music at a faster pace learned the countries and capitals of the world through an interactive map and sadly learned that I could never make enough Burger Time sandwiches to get to Round 3. OK, so that last one wasn’t educational, but it was fun! It is hard to imagine my life without technology and I see the power in bringing knowledge even faster to a young one’s finger tips. These educational applications (apps) for computers, smart phones and tablets are the latest wave of popular tools for early childhood education with positive research results of their effectiveness for kids preschool age +. The problem is that not everyone can afford these devices and not every school district is able to pay for these tools for their schools. That is why I am excited to tell you that I learned about an exciting collaboration between PBS, Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and Head Start at a PBS Kids Brunch I attended this morning though the SXSW Interactive festival and conference here in Austin and I wanted to pass on the information to my readers.
PBS, CPB and Head Start want to bridge the gap of educational apps (aka the ‘app gap’) to low-income areas across the United States in coordination with two Dinosaur Train series apps produced by the Jim Henson Company and funded by ‘A Ready to Learn’ grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education. The apps All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! for iPad and Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! for iPhone, were launched last week through the App Store and are available for purchase for $ 1.99 each. Demo Versions of both apps are available through the PBS Kids Lab. These same apps will be available for free to Head Start programs and other community based organizations throughout the United States who will be provided app codes to download at all of their Head Start and other like-organizational centers. The hope is to increase educational mobile content by providing free access to low-income families at the community organizations that service them. This seems like a wonderful way to get educational applications to children who might not otherwise get this learning opportunity. Great Work!
All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! App Description
The All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! app is a learning tool to help teach children about measurement: size of an object versus their capacity. The dinosaurs on the train come in all shapes and sizes and need to be matched to the correct train car. This app can be played in either one or two player mode.
Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! App Description
The Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! app is a learning tool to help teach children about patterns. Dinosaurs fly by with different patterns and our ace photographer must snap their picture with your camera with the pattern matches the pattern we need. Fun game for learning about patterns and developing quick reflexes!
PBS Kids Extra! Coming this Fall! I also got the scoop today on a new PBS Kids Show starting this fall for their preschool programming lineup and it is based on the classic show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. I was very skeptical, as a huge Mr. Roger’s fan, as to whether a new show would hold the same values that honor his legacy. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the demonstration and can’t wait to check out the show when it airs this fall. Although it is an animated series, it does offer live interaction sequences from what we know and love about Mr. Rogers. For those that were fans of the original, you will see nostalgic references everywhere from Daniel, Jr. (Daniel the Tiger’s son) who narrates the show to the other main characters of O the Owl (X’s nephew), Prince Wednesday (Prince Tuesday’s younger brother) and Miss Elaina (Lady Elaine Fairchilde and Music Man Stan’s daughter –shocking! I know! I had been quite certain Lady Elaine would never marry). Check out the demo here at pbskids.org/Daniel.
All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! for iPad
Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! for iPhone
$ 1.99 each
Momma's Bacon 