| I picked up an iPhone almost as soon as they | | | | to develop fine motor skills, teach children to |
| came out, because I'm a geek like that. It was a | | | | recognize and match letters, teach the names of |
| while before I started exploring all the iPhone | | | | letters, and show how to spell basic words. The |
| applications you can download though. These are | | | | illustrated animals (which make the appropriate |
| little programs that can help you with daily tasks, | | | | animal sounds) help make the learning fun. |
| everything from keeping track of sports scores | | | | If your children have already mastered letters and |
| to playing games to reading with your children. | | | | basic reading skills, you may want to check into |
| Yup, you can use your iPhone to teach your kids | | | | some of the picture book iPhone apps. These |
| how to read! | | | | basically turn your cell phone into an e-reader, |
| While a computer gadget probably isn't going to | | | | allowing you to take numerous stories along to |
| replace all the traditional books and tools designed | | | | entertain the kids without requiring a backpack for |
| to make reading with children fun and educational, | | | | carrying books. |
| an iPhone certainly has the convenience factor. | | | | There are several children's books in the iPhone |
| When you're stuck somewhere without a pile of | | | | apps store (again, prices are reasonable, ranging |
| activities for your child, you'll likely at least have | | | | from free to a couple of dollars). Here are a |
| your cell phone handy.iPhone apps don't cost a lot | | | | couple you can check out: |
| either. They can be anywhere from free (my | | | | Sesame Street |
| favorite) to a few dollars. Often there's a | | | | Yup, the folks who have been bringing us the |
| free-to-try kind of version with some basic | | | | children's television show for decades are on your |
| features, and then you can upgrade for more | | | | iPhone, too. The organization offers a number of |
| advanced features. You can search for apps in | | | | original picture-book stories you can download for |
| the iTunes store. | | | | your children. Just look up Sesame Street in |
| Now let's look at some that are specifically | | | | iTunes. |
| designed to help you teach your kids to read. | | | | KidsReader |
| ABC Pocket Phonics | | | | This is an ebook reading program designed for |
| This inexpensive ($2) iPhone app has received | | | | children, and it comes preloaded with a full-length, |
| several awards, plus a number of favorable | | | | illustrated kid's story (The Toy King). The |
| reviews on iTunes. The primer helps children | | | | developer promises updates with more stories to |
| sound out letters, gives them the opportunity to | | | | come. |
| practice writing, and teaches 170 simple "first | | | | As you can see, between ebooks and educational |
| words" in an enjoyable, game-like style. | | | | games, there are a number of ways iPhone apps |
| First Word Animals | | | | can help you get your children reading. Just head |
| If it's time to teach your children what cats and | | | | to the "App Store" in iTunes to find these titles as |
| dogs are (and how to spell them), then this game | | | | well as lots of others. |
| could be a fun way to do it. The app is designed | | | | |