My son BT has always loved books. His favorite book as an infant was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See. There isn’t a night that goes by in which he
fails to ask to read books before bedtime.
I love that he loves books!
The iPad has many great features, but one of my favorites is
the fact that it can function as a tablet reader. Books, textbooks, and magazines can all be
installed to the tablet and read anywhere, anytime. In addition, there are numerous apps
available that promote reading skills.
While nothing can replace the value and memories of snuggling up with
your child to read a good old-fashioned book, sometimes the convenience of a
tablet can’t be denied. Whether it’s
waiting in the pediatrician’s office, getting the family car serviced, or being
stuck in line at the local DMV, it’s much easier to pass the time with a tablet
or iPhone rather than a bunch of books or other toys. Some of BT’s favorite reading apps are
below.
We’re big fans of PBS at our house, so it makes sense that
one of BT’s favorite book apps is The Monster At the End Of This Book
by Jon Stone. The book features Sesame
Street’s Grover who is both the subject and narrator of the book. As Grover narrates, the text appears
highlighted in “thought” clouds above his head.
Thus the user associates the spoken word with written language. This app received a user rating of 4.5 out of
5 stars, and it was most recently updated in February 2012. It installs to both iPad and iPhone devices
for $3.99. 
Dr. Seuss is a popular author in BT’s personal library, and
there are several Seuss books that have been made into apps. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and Green
Eggs and Ham are installed on both my iPad and iPhone. Mr.
Brown has a user rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and costs $2.99. Green Eggs and Ham has a user rating of 4 out
of 5 stars and is also $2.99. Both apps
have these options: “read to me,” “read it myself,” and “auto play.” In addition, the user can tap objects within
the illustrations to hear its name spoken and see its written word.
One thing I really like about these books is the feature in
which it reads to the user. Not only
does the user see and hear the words, but he/she also develops a sense of reading
with fluidity and inflection. Although
these book apps are more expensive than others I’ve shared in previous posts,
they are still cheaper than traditional books, and you are essentially getting
two copies when you install to both iPad and iPhone.
There are many products, such as those made by LeapFrog and
V-Tech, which promote early literacy. And
I’m sure many of you have seen the infomercials for Your Baby Can Read, a collection of DVDs, books, and sliding flash
cards designed to build early language and reading skills. All of these are great, but the cost can add
up. Even some websites like www.abcmouse.com and www.looneytunesphonics.com require
an annual or monthly subscription fee to use their resources. If you’re looking for free tools, I encourage
you to explore these websites.
An iPad is definitely easier to carry than a bunch of books. It is great that some parents use iPads for educational purposes rather than letting their kids play aggressive games.
ReplyDeleteI love that you listed starfall.com as a website. Many of the schools that I have worked in use Starfall and the children love it.
I love "The Monster at the End of This Book"! It is one of my childhood favorites.
ReplyDeleteEarly literacy and text skills are learned before a child enters school. Reading right to left, early phonics, and fluidity are key skills of good readers and through reading with our students/children they can see and learn how to become talented readers!