Top 5 Apps video series!

During quarantine, I'm guessing that a lot more parents are using apps with their kids, even if they hadn't used them before.  In an effort to make the App Picks page even less daunting to navigate, I have been creating a series of videos in which I choose my Top 5 apps for different categories.  So far, I've got my Top 5 Totally Free Apps for Big Kids:

 

 My Top 5 Totally Free Apps for Little Kids:

and my Top 5 Apps for Off-Screen Play:

Coming Soon, my Top 5 Spanish Apps for Kids and some "Ask Carissa About Apps" videos with quick tech tips for caregivers.

App Survey response or, "Why I don't focus on "educational" apps"

 Thanks to everyone who participated in the my survey about the app recommendation services that we offer at Madison Public Library. I was honored and humbled to see that many of the participants are children's librarians from across the country!

One of the questions that several people asked was why I don't review or recommend many overtly "educational" apps. When I asked Katie Paciga, researcher and head of the ALA "Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award" committee her thoughts on this topic she told me, "Children learn in many ways, including open ended play with things that interest them. Reducing their experiences to those deemed as "learning," narrowly focused on cognitive skills, diminishes their opportunities to experience in ways that are often the most developmentally appropriate for that particular child."

Here is my own response:

I've heard many parents say, "Well if my kids are going to be spending time on a device, at least they can be LEARNING something while they're at it!" and while that sentiment makes some sense, I think we need to think carefully about how kids learn best. Many of the apps that are being marketed as "educational" are focusing on some really specific skills -- letter/color/shape recognition, letter sounds, matching things, adding, subtracting, etc.

 
Recently, I was testing an app with my daughter and one of the activities started by telling the kids about basic color mixing and then asked her to find things that were a certain color in a picture. I know that my daughter will learn more deeply about color mixing by physically painting with watercolor paints or mixing blobs of play dough together and I would rather she learn in those hands-on ways.

There are other --more subtle, more complex-- ways that my children can benefit from app use, such as innovative problem solving that they get from playing Inventioneers or Gorogoa, impulse control that they can practice while playing games like Shine: Journey of Light, looking for different results when playing games that have cause and effect with no prescribed "correct answer" like Toca Mystery House or Sago Mini Super Juice, or a chance to just lose themselves in an imaginative world such as those in the Toca Life apps.

I realize that there are schools that would like to use apps in the classroom and for those needs, there are a number of app reviewers such as Teachers with Apps, Kindertown (though they aren't writing new reviews anymore their database has some great titles and their app has a really nice interface), Moms with Apps, and Children's Technology Review that review more of the "educational" apps.  However, as one survey respondent noted, "It's great to have reviews of apps coming from a library perspective. A lot of the information I find comes from teachers, and what works well in a classroom often doesn't work well in the library or in storytime. Thank you for taking the time to provide all of this great information!!"



I hope that you find my App Recommendations page to be a useful resource.  High quality apps are becoming increasingly difficult to find, but I refuse to compromise my standards and will only review apps that I think are truly worth your money and your child's time. I know that their time in childhood is limited and there's no reason to waste any of it using poor quality media.

Win a Pillow Play Set from Sago Mini!

 

Hey everybody!  Have you ever used Madison Public Library's App Recommendation Page?  Or gotten other app advice from me in other ways (App Fairy Podcast, The Supper Club App Storytime, etc.)?  I'm looking to streamline and improve the library's app recommendation services and would love your feedback. 

Please take a moment to complete this survey before January 31, 2019 and you could be entered to win one of these fabulous Sago Mini Pillow Playsets (or other app-related goodies)!

Thanks a bunch!

Evolution of an app maker: Cowly Owl

Recently, I got an e-mail from one of my favorite app makers with news of an exciting new direction for the company.  It's such an important message about how he's taken the research about kids benefiting most from apps that encourage playing with another person and turned it into a credo for his brand.  Take a minute to read it here.  I especially love the sneak peek into the different owl sketches he considered for his new logo!  Then check out my review of his newest app designed for two players, Sizzle & Stew.

Interview with an app maker: Yatatoy

I enjoyed this article about one of my very favorite app makers: Yatatoy!  I love learning amazing details like the fact that the three developers who created this company live in three different countries and haven't even all met face-to-face! Unfortunately, the article is only accessible via Apple mobile devices, but just in case you're reading this blog post on one of those, click the link above!  You can read my review of the Bandimal app here.

The App Fairy interviews Toca Boca!

image from: Target

You guys.  THIS is the episode I've been dreaming of ever since I started this series.  I interviewed TOCA BOCA!  Read more about it here.  Listen to the show and see photos and downloads here. 

YAY!!

p.s. This will likely be my last App Fairy episode ever.  If you want to see more App Fairy content, please take a moment to fill out the survey here and I'll send you lots of free stuff as a thank you!

New book (and podcast episode) about kids and screen time

I've got a new episode of the App Fairy in the works (so exciting!) but while I'm polishing it up, here's a great podcast interview about kids and screen time.  I've been reading about this issue for YEARS, but learned a few new things from this author, so give it a listen!

https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/find-right-amount-screen-time

It's based on a new book (which I haven't read yet) called The Art of Screen Time: how your family can balance digital media and real life by Anya Kamenetz

Don't forget!  Although I'm not doing a regular monthly app storytime this season, there will be a few app storytimes (called the Supper Club) at other branches.

April 3, Pinney Library, 6:00

May 3, Central Library, 6:00

App Fairy interviews Tinybop

I was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Tinybop -- one of my favorite app developers for elementary school kids!  Check out the recording plus a TON of extra resources here.  

Several of their apps are currently on sale in iTunes and one is free for the next few days -- this is a rare treat, so snap them up soon!

App Fairy interviews Originator (of the "Endless" apps)

I'm a little behind on posting App Fairiy episodes here on the blog, but here's a link to the App Fairy's conversation with Originator.  Enjoy!

Nosy Crow!

There's a new podcast episode from the App Fairy, featuring an interview with Kate Wilson of Nosy Crow.

You can also watch a review of their app, "Complete FairyTale Theatre" on NBC15 by clicking the photo above!

Read my review of the FairyTale Play Theater app here.

App Fairy, episode 2: Ahoiii!

My second episode of the podcast is up! It's an interview with the makers of the apps about the little sailor named Fiete.  You can read more about the episode here or just listen to the recording right away at www.appfairy.org.  The website now also has links to the App Fairy on iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn in case you prefer to listen to podcasts on your phone.  Don't miss the exciting episode extras!

The App Fairy Podcast

You.

Guys.

I. have. a. podcast.

Sponsored by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

What??

This has been a brainchild wish of mine for almost two years and it is FINALLY coming true and I am SO geeking out over it.

Check out my blog post on the Cooney Center's site here.

Check out the podcast here.

Then, leave me a review in iTunes (or wherever you get your podcasts from) or leave a comment here on this post and tell me what you think!  Do you have a favorite app developer you'd like to see interviewed?  Do you have a burning question you've always wanted to ask app makers?  Do you think I giggle too much during the interviews (hint: yes)?  Chime in!

The Supper Club presents: Apps about Emotions

When kids know more specific words for emotions (like "frustrated" or "furious" instead of just "mad") it's easier for us to help them find the right ways to handle their feelings.  Here are some great apps that both directly and indirectly offer opportunities to talk to kids about different emotions.

Silly Snouts by Three Little Witches (iOS, 99c)

Chomp by Fox & Sheep (iOS, $2.99)

Breathe Think Do by Sesame Street (iOS & Android, free)

Fiete Match by Ahoiii (iOS & Android, $2.99)

Gigglebug’s Face Race by Gigglebug Entertainment (iOS only, $2.99)

Peek-A-Zoo HD by Duck Duck Moose (free, iOS only)

Sago Mini Dress Up by Sago Mini (free, iOS only)

--This cute baby animals aren't afraid to show you how they feel about the clothes you choose for them!

Tinybop’s Me (iOS only, $2.99)

--I love how it asks users what color makes them think of certain emtions!

Take out box:

Toontastic by Launchpad Toys (iOS only, FREE (originally a $20 app, now it's free because Google bought it.  Hooray!))

--check out the moods the different music sliders can set!

Apps on the News: Foldify

Here's my written review of Foldify.

Apps on the News: Bedtime Math, Fiete Sports

Just in time for holiday travel, I'm doing a little end-of-the-year catch-up and posting all of the news segments that I somehow missed posting earlier.  Maybe you'll discover a new favorite!

Here's my written review of Bedtime Math. 

And here it is on the news!





Here is my written review of Fiete Sports.

And here it is on the news:

Apps on the News: Tiny Bang Story

Here is my written review of this utterly charming puzzle app.

Apps on the News: The Monsters by Tinybop

Just in time for Halloween, a rather spooky app for your kids to enjoy.  Read my full app review here!

The Supper Club presents [more] Monster Apps!

I can't resist monsters in October!  Here is my second (annual?) monster app round-up:

DNA Play by Avokiddo ($2.99, Google Play, Amazon & iOS)

Tinybop’s The Monsters ($2.99, iOS only)

Monster Mingle by Cowly Owl ($3.99, iOS & Android)

Mussila Musical Monster Adventure ($3.99, iOS only)

Mussila DJ (free, iOS only)

AZZL  by Jutiful (99c, iOS only)

Duckie Deck Monsters ($1.99, iOS & Google Play)

Melody Jams (free, iOS only)

Takeout Box:  

Endless Alphabet ($6.99, iOS; $4.99 Amazon, FREE (w/IAP) GPlay)

Toca Kitchen Monsters (FREE iOS, Toca Kitchen = Free GPlay (monsters not in android))

Sago Mini Monsters ($2.99, iOS, $1.99 Android Amazon)

Our hands-on activity tonight was this great free printable based on the Monster Mingle app.  Print it out yourself and enjoy it at home! 

On a sidenote, this month I FINALLY got the wireless hook-up to work and was able to wander around the room and allow kids to interact directly with the touchscreen while I demonstrated it.  (So exciting!) If you've been wishing for a more interactive Supper Club experience, the time is now!

Can't get enough monster apps?  Check out last year's list!

"Chomp" on Talk of the Town

This is a little late, but I just realized I'd never posted it here.  In early September of this year, I made an appearance on Talk of the Town (a local cable access show) to talk about librarians and apps.  You can see me demonstrating the app Chomp here.  (as a seasonal side note, this app currently has a Halloween update with a few extra spooky & silly animations for fun.) Enjoy!

The Supper Club presents: Math Apps!

Here are the math apps we talked about this month at the Supper Club.  There are MILLIONS of math apps in the app store, but most seem to be really rote learning even if they're dressed up like play.  These apps below seem to do a much better job of just incorporating math concepts into real-world concepts.  Enjoy!

Fiete Math ($3.99, iOS & Google)

Attributes ($2.99, iOS only)

Endless Numbers (freemium, iOS & Google)

Curious Ruler (99c, iOS only)

Geoboard (free, iOS, Google, Chrome & Windows)

Presto Bingo Shapes ($1.99, iOS only)

Bedtime Math (free, iOS & Google)

Toca Store ($3.99, iOS only)

Weigh the World ($1.99, iOS only)

Activity: geoboards!