Originally written for Appolicious, this post can be found in full on the Appolicious Advisor. A portion of the post is included below.
On April 22nd, the New York Times published an article about the alarm bells associated with electronic versions of children’s books (i.e., book apps on the iPad):
Many of us may be thinking about these same questions. But as this type of trepidation gains ground, I wonder, like a mother who has come down too hard on her kids, if it’s time to ease up on the haranguing.
Why am I worried about a generation of zombies when I, as a parent, have influence on how my children thrive and develop? Isn’t the onus on me to balance the aforementioned concerns by shooing the munchkins outside to play?
I’m going to make some assumptions so we can tackle the zombie topic and move on. To the parents who are reading this, I assume you are a responsible, enthusiastic and engaged parent. I assume you only want what is best for your kids. I assume that you think about what type of content is available in your home, and the method in which it’s accessible. I assume you have the power to turn even the most mundane app into a teachable moment, just by interacting with your child. I assume you know how to critically evaluate apps for your children. I assume you know when enough is enough, and that greeting grandparents after a long road trip should result in hugs and eye-contact, and not in: “hold on, I just need to finish this app”.
Do we agree? Then maybe it’s time boot the counselor out of the room and get to the “love” part of this relationship. Innovations are taking place in the App Store – which both parents, and kids, are finding valuable.
Which apps do you like best for your children, and why? I asked our Moms With Apps Facebook fans this very question, and collected a sample of their favorites. We’ve posted the results on Appolicious – click here for the full article.
Lorraine Akemann | Editor | Moms With Apps
Thank you so much for summarizing these. I just bought some of this apps. Do you have any suggestions about books for iPads for toddlers?
My daughter is almost three and has been using first an iTouch, and later an iPad, since she was six months old. It has done nothing but make her better educated and creative than other kids her age. Electric devices don’t contain kryptonite that magically turn kids into idiots. If you are engaged with your kids then apps, cartoons, etc only serve as another tool for you to exercise their minds. If anything, interactive devices like an iTouch add elements to play that would never be possible with only lifeless lumps. And it certainly hasn’t kept my daughter from having plenty of exercise – who needs an exercise plan when you have a toddler.
Hi Monica, earlier in the week we posted on the book to app process from mytales digital: http://momswithapps.com/2011/04/25/from-books-to-apps-content-and-delivery/. I’d check out their One Rainy Day and One Snowy Day books, along with their new release, mybookshelf.
MikeFM, enjoying your kryptonite remark! Yes, good to keep in mind that there are no explosives in the debate. –Lorraine
Lazytown’s BooCLips app, which was recently launched by Castle Builders (IL),
is a great example for the ultimate educational solution combining fun and entertaining
activities with educational tools. You can download a trial version of this app from the Apple’s
AppStore or by clicking on the following link http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lazytown-booclips/id424736849?mt=8&ls=1