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Lots of kids I know love tablet computers: the bright displays, the multi-touch interfaces and the endless supply of media, games and books available make them big hits with the preschool set. Although pediatricians recommend limiting screen time (including TVs, computers and so on) for very young children, most parents do not find such limits very practical.

So instead of just AngryBirds or another episode of Caillou streaming over your Netflix app, here are some apps for iOS devices (iPads, iPhones and iPod touches) to try out with your toddlers and preschoolers that might also provide support for their preliteracy skills.

Letter Tracer ($.99) is a simple app based on a Montessori technique for children to practice writing letters. There are options that allow children to trace an outlined letter, and also the copy the letter without the tracing guide. It takes just a few taps to use, and allows parents to choose the letters in alphabetical order or to shuffle them to increase the challenge level. Parents can also enable a sound option that speaks the name of the letter

Singing Fingers (free) is a finger painting app that also records whatever you say (or sing!) while you “paint” in multicolored dots on the screen. When you are done painting, you can press and hold anywhere on the drawing and hear whatever you or your child was singing and saying. Try singing a favorite lullaby or rhyme while finger painting; connecting the sounds and rhythms of the song with busy fingers is great for kinetic learners.

Felt Board ($2.99) is a virtual space for creating multicolored flannel and felt stories. Choose from preset backgrounds and characters to recreate a favorite scene from any picture book in virtual felt. This app has many figures users can modify, including people, animals, plants and flowers, as well as letters and numbers. It is great to pair this app with an actual, physical felt craft so children also have a tactile experience with the material in addition to just the glassy interface made up of pixels.

Tags: Pre-K, tech

Letter Tracer screenshot
Letter Tracer screenshot
Felt Board screenshot
Felt Board screenshot
Singing Fingers screenshot
Singing Fingers screenshot
inside the A47
inside the A47

 

A few weeks ago, we posted about LiLi, a experimental hi-tech library vehicle from Canada. Today, meet A47, a mobile library in Mexico City that has taken a decidedly low-tech angle to reach out and deliver library services.

Instead of the cutting-edge digital delivery of library services, including digital literacy training, e-book downloads and content-creation workshops, you'll find on our Techmobile, A47 is instead a mobile community center, flexible arts and performance space, and art library. From a description of this vehicle:

"The floor of the lorry comprises a series of mobile platforms giving access to the bookshelves, allowing the space to be re-arranged according to the different activities taking place. The micro perforated sheet surround acts as a permeable membrane that merges the outside and inside, making the space an exercise in honesty with its environment. From the street, one's view of the transparent intricacy that suspends the large solid volume allows a glimpse of the diverse range of titles inside, while also acting as an urban beacon through the night. This illumination — produced by the lorry's own integrated electricity generator — provides a reassuring glow when the streets fall dark, and announces the start of its nightly programme."

Read more here.

 

 

 

Tags: Techmobile

A47 by night
A47 by night

Today we're at 25th and Lehigh, serving One Day at a Time Recovery and other recovery houses in this neighborhood, providing access and assistance for people getting online for the first time, working on resumes, and learning about social media privacy. We've just heard about a new mobile digital library project, in Canada, that is similar to our Techmobile program. 

Read more about LiLi, a digital outreach vehicle from Fraser Valley Regional Library, in British Columbia here.

This project is Fraser Valley's Library Live and On Tour project, to promote library service and reach deeper into their communities. And also just like our Techmobile, LiLi is loaded with e-readers, a sound system and other digital tools to promote service "through community development, access to information, adult literacy advocay and awareness."

British Columbia is too far away for a visit, so the Techmobile and LiLi will have to keep their friendship online for now. Fan our Facebook page to keep track of where we are!

To request the Techmobile at your event or organization, please click here.  

 

Tags: Techmobile

LiLi, another library vehicle
LiLi, another library vehicle
Techmobile outside Citizens Bank Park
Techmobile outside Citizens Bank Park
Stop by on your way into the park!
Stop by on your way into the park!

The Techmobile is parked outside the third base gate at Citizens Bank Park, helping welcome Phillies fans to the game tonight as they face off against the Marlins. (OK--we're welcoming everyone, but rest assured we're mostly seeing red.)

Stop by and say hi on your way into the game.

While you're on board, you can register for a new library card, learn how to download "We are the Champions" and other music to your mp3 player for free from the Library website, or check out a picture book for fidgety little ones as the night goes on.

If you happen to see us and get a chance to snap our picture out and about, please email it to us at techmobile@freelibrary.org.

 

Tags: Techmobile

The Techmobile at North Bowl.
The Techmobile at North Bowl.

Last week, the Techmobile traveled to North Second Street to participate in the Food Trust's Night Market, a "roving street fair celebrating the city's ethnic restaurants, gourmet food trucks and coolest neighborhoods from the people who brought you Headhouse Farmer's Market." 

Thank you to Oron at North Bowl, who graciously let us park in his lot. We spent many hours talking to people and inviting them on board for tours of the Techmobile. In addition, we demonstrated how to check out Library e-books on your Kindle, iPad or other reader, and registered many new friends for library cards.

Between the dynamic and happy crowd, fantastic live music playing in the open storefront across the street,  the delicious smells wafting about from Philly's finest food trucks, and seeing many old and new faces, the Techmobile team felt right at home. We can't wait for next month! Thanks again to the Food Trust for having us. 

Tags: Techmobile

Our friends at the Food Trust.
Our friends at the Food Trust.
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