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