Super Grover 2.0: Special theme this week on Sesame Street

Sesame Street's Super Grover 2.0

It’s never too early to introduce young children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and this week Sesame Street offers an all encompassing television/online and social media experience with Super Grover 2.0, as the beloved blue furry figure actively encourages preschoolers to engage in the world around them through the process of scientific inquiry by observing, questioning and investigating. These concepts provide the foundation of STEM learning.

Each day on Sesame Street (check local listings), a new segment will be playfully provided by Grover covering these important concepts.

To gently reinforce the televised segment, Sesamestreet.org online provides a game, playlists, printable activity sheets, a home-page movie as well as Super Grover 2.0 video clips.

And, to further enhance the learning experience, Grover will be posting his favorite super hero tips on Facebook as well as web exclusive videos such as the one below.

“Super Grover 2.0,’ is a perfect age-appropriate way to engage children as active participants in figuring out how to solve problems using scientific inquiry skills.  By modeling these behaviors, preschoolers learn vocabulary and STEM concepts that enhances their knowledge about how the world around them works,” says Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop. “We are very excited to have an entire week devoted to STEM learning across different media platforms that help encourage young children’s curiosity in science as they explore their world.” 

 

Take a look at the YouTube video as Super Grover handles the concept of “Questioning.”

PBS Kids Design Squad Nation: Inspiring kids to dream big and change the world

Design Squad Nation co-hosts Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer (c Anthony Tieuli)

If kids have a dream, they can learn how to make it a reality with the help of the new PBS Kids program DESIGN SQUAD NATION, which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011.

Geared toward tweens and teens, DESIGN SQUAD NATION takes co-hosts and engineers Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer from coast-to-coast and around the world inspiring kids to dream big, and then build upon their ideas using creativity while incorporating all-important educational concepts using science, technology, engineering and math.

“Kids will see DESIGN SQUAD NATION and be absolutely amazed at all of the different ways that engineering can be part of their world,” says Vollmer.

A spin-off from the highly successful DESIGN SQUAD series, NATION helps kids create engineering feats that include such creations as: a pedal-powered bike organ; a human-powered flying machine; fashion designs; a skateboard park and more.

DESIGN SQUAD NATION also has a cool interactive website for having fun and encouraging additional dream-making inspiration.

Lee says, “We hope the show and website will get kids thinking about what sorts of problems and challenges they would like to solve, and to see engineering as a way to have fun while innovating for the future.”

The show’s Executive Producer Marisa Wolsky says, “More than a TV show and more than a website, DESIGN SQUAD NATION is a growing community built around the belief that with creative problem solving and engineering, any kid can make a difference.”

The video below gives you a glimpse of what’s in store during the 10-plus episodes of DESIGN SQUAD NATION. Be sure to check your local television listings for exact times and air dates on PBS.

2010 Holiday Guide: Story apps for e-readers, iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch

This is the eighth installment of this series that provides numerous entertainment options for holiday gift giving for children and teens, and today we turn our attention to one of the hottest emerging categories for entertainment- applications (also known as “apps”) for e-readers, iPads, iPod Touch and iPhones.

Children and teens are rapidly embracing these new technologies and there are numerous apps provided for entertainment, many of them extremely affordable, once you determine the choice of your technology device.

If you are not quite familiar with e-readers and the iPad, there is a helpful link to get you started at eReader Leader, where you can compare and check out customer reviews.

There is another excellent site, Aimersoft that discusses the differences between iPad and iPod Touch.

Also, many local libraries are beginning to provide e-readers for their patrons use and it is an excellent way to learn about options before investing in the technology.

The applications for the reading devices appear below and have been researched for quality as well as value. All are geared to provide hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Best pricing options, at the time of this posting are listed, but it is suggested that you cross-compare with your favorite online as well as stick and brick retailers, as pricing may fluctuate on a daily basis.

If you happened to have missed earlier posts to this series, links are provided at the end of this article.

Also, you may wish to bookmark this page in order to explore these items in further depth at your leisure.

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

A children’s book app from KwiqApps is perfect for iPhone/iPad and is only $0.99 through iTunes. The app provides animation as well as text highlighting so a young reader can easily follow along. There are also “Read To Me” and “Auto Play” modes – a terrific way for parents or caregivers to connect (with child on lap) and introduce technology to the youngest set.



The Dr. Seuss collection

Children’s storybooks apps from Oceanhouse Media provides a wide variety of titles that include such classics as: Dr. Seuss's ABC; Green Eggs and Ham; How The Grinch Stole Christmas! as well as many more choices. There are also free downloads that provide test previews.

Prices for the apps range from $1.99 to $3.99, and they are compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. By following this link to Oceanhouse Media’s Dr. Seuss page and selecting a particular title, you will connect to further detailed information on each product as well as “Buy now” button that directs you the to Apple iTunes store for placing your order.

The Berenstain Bears 

A collection of storybook apps, also from Oceanhouse Media, range from $2.99 to $3.99, and all are compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The following link to the Berenstain Bear page provides a portal for further information and links to purchasing through the Apple iTunes store.

There are also a number of other Berenstain Bear books for the Kindle e-Book from Amazon.com, where prices range from $0.88 to $7.99, and can be explored further by following this link.

Ruckus Media

A superb collection of titles that exhibit beautiful production values, which are compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and are priced at $0.99 to $1.99.

By following this link, more information is provided for such apps as Johnny Appleseed; Tin Soldier and The Velveteen Rabbit.



The following are award-winning selections for older children and teens and are compatible with the NOOKbook (eBook) from Barnes and Noble or the Kindle from Amazon.com.

Further information is available by clicking on each title.

A Wrinkle in Time [NOOKbook] by Madeleine L'Engle $6.99

A Swiftly Tilting Planet [NOOKbook] by Madeleine L'Engle $6.99

The Giver by Lois Lowry [Kindle] $6.64 includes free wireless delivery.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry [Kindle Edition] $6.64 includes free wireless delivery

 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson [Kindle Edition] $5.99 includes free wireless delivery.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech [Kindle Edition] $5.99 includes free wireless delivery

Earlier editions of the 2010 Gift Guide are available by clicking on the following links:

2010 Holiday Guide: Gifts of Music

2010 Holiday Guide: DVDs and videos

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Wizard of Oz theme oriented gifts

2010 Holiday Guide: Gifts of Music part two

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Hanukkah Gifts

2010 Holiday Guide: Best books of the year

Introducing a child to classical music: How to make friends with a symphony orchestra

With stringent budget cuts occurring in national as well as local economies, it is no wonder schools are suffering during this recession. Art and music curricula are being cut left and right. They generally are the first programs to be eliminated.

Whether you ascribe to research done on the importance of right brain development in the visual arts, or the “Mozart Effect,” which has been associated with music, it is imperative that children be provided a solid education in both artistic disciplines.

Music and art classes are essential in developing an understanding and an appreciation of not only who we are, but where we have come from as humans.

Education in both domains determines the entertainment choices that are carried throughout one's life.

Specifically regarding music, what can a parent do when music appreciation (the very core of musical education) isn't offered in a school setting?

Get free on-line help from the world famous San Francisco Symphony and their entertaining as well as educational web site - SFS Kids Fun With Music.

If you need to upgrade your media player in order to participate on the SFS site, not to worry, you will automatically be prompted and provided a free download that takes a moment to install.

Once you're good-to-go, you’ll find the site is colorful, well organized, and affords the opportunity for parents and children to explore the various instruments that make up an orchestra and hear actual instrument sound samples.

There is also a virtual music lab to learn everything about basic musical symbols and notation, along with such concepts as: tempo; rhythm; pitch; harmony; symbols, and instrumentation.

Once the ‘basics’ are in place, move up to the next level and play a tune or two on SFS’s "Performalator," or actually create your own musical masterpiece in "Composerizer."

In a separate section on the site is a click-on radio with six different music channels, which introduces some of the world's most famous concert pieces along with short stories about each of the compositions.

Depending on reading and technology skills, older children will easily surf this site without parental assistance.

As a child's musical interest and abilities strengthen, there's a "First Timer's Guide" with some helpful facts, which provide a good discussion platform before venturing out to an actual performance.

Many communities around the country have "Pops" concerts during the summer that are family-friendly and often free of charge; this would be another good step to introducing a young person to the appreciation and joy of classical music.

Major orchestras such as: Boston Symphony; New York Philharmonic; Baltimore Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony also offer children's concerts, which are geared towards specific age levels and are shorter in duration, plus they carry the added benefit of a lower ticket price.

After all, since the YouTube Symphony Orchestra made its debut at Carnegie Hall on April 15, 2009 the world of classical music has not been the same - it's taken a giant step in becoming very popular with younger generations.

Greetings and Welcome

In today’s fast-paced technology driven world, many parents and caregivers have found it increasingly difficult to stay abreast evaluating appropriate entertainment for children and teens.

It is my sincere hope that the information offered here will provide insights into entertainment that makes a positive difference for today’s youth while assisting you in making informed choices and suggestions to your family.

In the coming days, weeks, months and beyond there will be regular columns to look forward to such as this Friday’s “Popcorn Report,” plus spotlight features covering the best in art, books, hobbies, Internet, movies, music, television, technology, travel and toys for age groups birth to 18 years.

I want to personally thank you for stopping by, and I sincerely look forward to staying in touch through your comments.

If you want something researched and featured, always feel free to drop a note to me at paulaslae1@gmail.com.

Best wishes to you and your family!

Paula