Playing with Words

The debate over screen time and its effects on mental and physical health is long and far from ending. We know the use of screens is not ideal, but we know they are not going anywhere - so the key is to figure out ways to make experiences rewarding in as many ways as possible because, above all, technology is about the enhancement of human interaction. We also need to know what is developmentally appropriate for the intended audience.

Over the years I have found some apps that are not necessarily categorized as educational, but they do the trick and help develop a great variety of skills.

The WordFoto app is a fun and interesting way to practice spelling a name (or other words, depending on the child’s abilities) and creates a fun word cloud. This is an activity for adults and children to do together - a way for children to see parents as media mentors and also a way to spend quality time.

~ Fred Rogers