Last year Miss Sherry wrote a blog on apps for kids. It is worth revisiting.
1. Libby
Summer is a time for Road Trips and that is a perfect time to read together as a family. In July of 2018 when we began operations as Donnelly Public Library District getting online resources like LIBBY was one of the things I was most looking forward to. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with that little turquoise book and maroon circle.
2. EPIC for Kids
This app. is totally a bait and switch app. for parents trying to get their kids to read. Allow them electronics time.
GET EPIC
Our classroom code is mpz6722
Epic has videos, books and games for kids. It is designed for children 5-12. Middle Schoolers and the TWEENS in your life may not enjoy it quite as much. Epic has a fee of $7.99 but if you use our classroom code you get access to a variety of FREE books and discounts on that monthly fee.
3. Seek by iNaturalist
I’m a big believer in using technology to get children to engage in the outside world. This app does this perfectly. You take pictures of things you see in nature, and Seek gives you information about the organism you photographed. Take it along on any hikes, family camping trips, or even just around the backyard. As an added bonus, as you snap pictures and learn about nature, you earn badges! You don’t have to keep your learning on the app, either. Why not take key information you learn on Seek, grab a notebook, and make a field guide? Practice your writing and drawing by logging your favorite discovers!
4. HEY CLAY Animals
If you have a budding artist in the family this is a wonderful tool. Clay animals gives you step by step instructions on how to make dogs, pigs, horses, and a ton of other animals. HEY CLAY has other apps on how to build dinos, bugs, and monsters as well. If you don’t happen to have clay lying around here’s a recipe for homemade playdough!
Kids can help make the dough and then practice their sculpting.
5. Breathe- by Sesame Street
Breathe helps children learn about emotional self regulation. The little monster feels frustrated, and you can help the monster calm down by doing breathing exercises with him. This is a great supplementary tool that can help children apply these skills when they need them. You can do the breathing exercises together and talk about why the monster might feel frustrated.
Have a great summer! I hope you all get a chance to create something and explore nature.