Updated: 1/1/19 If you're looking for coding or pre-coding classes, games, toys, and apps for your kids to learn to code, you'll find everything you need here. But first, let's define terms. Coding is learning a foreign language -- a machine foreign language. Just like any language, the ability to read and write it is a literacy of its own. The biggest benefit of learning to code is that … [Read more...]
2018 Holiday Gift List: STEM Toys, Games, & Kits
Are you looking for the best STEM gifts of 2018 for your kids? Discover the newest and best coding kits, building sets, science kits, STEM books, cool tech, and MORE. I hope this helps you with your Christmas and holiday gift giving. Almost all of these will help your children develop their knowledge and skills in STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and math. I love giving gifts that do … [Read more...]
Hands-On Early Learning LEGO Coding Express
Want to introduce your youngest learners to coding? LEGO Education Coding Express introduces children ages 2 - 5 to coding concepts by combing with the playful learning fun of LEGO Duplo bricks with the beginning coding concepts. My four testers LOVED this early technology and science train set-- and didn't want to stop playing with it when it was time to pick up. Early Learning LEGO Coding … [Read more...]
Tips for Kids Reading eBooks
As parents and educators, we must look for the many possible ways for children to read. This includes reading eBooks on the iPad, Kindle, NOOK, or any device with reading apps. Since the reading experience is different, let's think through how to best use this eBook reading technology for learning purposes. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center published a report in 2012 that said enhanced eBooks … [Read more...]
Read With Me Kids App Lets Parents Personalize a Printed Book
written by Christa Jimenez of Pura Vida Moms Disclosure: I had the opportunity to test the app Read With Me Kids in partnership with Imagination Soup and sponsored by Read With Me Kids. As usual, all opinions are my own. I'm always looking for ways to encourage my kids to read-- we have an independent reader and an emerging reader-- and this personalized book app from Read With Me Kids is … [Read more...]
What Learning Benefits Happens When Kids Listen to Lunii Storyteller?
Disclosure: I worked in partnership with Lunii to bring you this information. Lunii, My Fabulous Storyteller, is SO much fun for kids -- it's an interactive, screenless storytelling toy that narrates audio stories which kids have created themselves. Not only does this develop a child's imagination, it builds their vocabulary and builds important pre-reading strategies as well. Use this … [Read more...]
What I’m Doing About My Teenager’s Screen Time Addiction
My 16-year-old daughter's therapist recently had yet another come-to-Jesus talk with my husband and me. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome. They are always awesome. But there's always some regret and a little shame that I feel getting told I need to make changes. Like, why didn't I do things differently in the first place? Why aren't I a better parent? Which is why I'm proud of my husband and me. … [Read more...]
Circle Round: A Storytelling Podcast for Kids With a Global Perspective
Disclosure: I partnered with Circle Round to bring you this information. Do your kids love stories? Then, they'll love Circle Round, a storytelling podcast for children ages 4 - 10 of fascinating fables and folktale stories from other cultures emphasizing values such as kindness, being a good friend, and generosity. Perfect for boys and girls, these 10 - 20-minute stories are the right length to … [Read more...]
Meet Botley, An Adorable Coding Robot for Children 5+
"This is cool!" my daughter exclaimed after trying Botley, the new, adorable blue and green coding robot from Learning Resources. And she's right! Botley is a cool {engaging & fun} way for children 5 + to learn hands-on coding. Even better, Botley does not require any other devices-- NO smartphone or tablet required. And I love the growth mindset opportunities like failure and persistence that … [Read more...]
Help Your Kids Improve Touch Typing with TypeDojo.Com
Disclosure: I worked in partnership with TypeDojo.com to bring you this post. I think my single MOST helpful class in high school was typing. Why? Because it increased my ability to be productive in my classes by typing faster... and helped me later in life with jobs. (I worked as a temp during my Master's program and now am a freelance writer.) Kids also NEED to learn typing. Touch typing, more … [Read more...]
Hey Clay Modeling Clay App for Kids
Hey Clay! just launched Talking Clay. Talking Clay is an interactive modeling clay app that teaches kids step-by-step how to make clay creations (monsters, aliens, animals, and birds). My kids tested it out by making cute penguins. I loved that it got them being creative together while on screen time! Download on the App Store Download on Google Play Hey Clay is selling a kit to … [Read more...]
Four Steps to Get Your Screen-Loving Kid to Enjoy Books
written by Kaye Newton, Author of How to Get Your Screen-Loving Kids to Enjoy Books Research shows that reading helps children do well in school, the workplace, and life. But many kids prefer to spend all their free time on PlayStation and social media. As parents, how can we get our kids to put down their screens and give books a chance? Four Steps to Get Your Screen-Loving Kid to … [Read more...]