The Notable Children's Digital Media Committee, formerly the Great Websites committee, is excited to announce its inaugural list of great digital media for children. To highlight the shift in media focus the committee has concentrated on apps for this year’s selections. Future lists will include a diverse array of digital media for children up to age 14.
The 2018 Notable Children’s Digital Media committee has selected fifteen apps which span diverse subjects from mindfulness to math. These apps introduce rich topics and engaging activities and provide a platform for play and imagination.
ABC Kids-Tracing and Phonics. Android. Toddler /PreK.
A phonics and alphabet teaching app that features a series of tracing games to help kids recognize letter shapes, associate them with phonic sounds, and put their alphabet knowledge to use.
Breathe, Think and Do with Sesame. iOS/Android / free. Toddler-K.
Emphasizing meditation, this bilingual app teaches emotional control. Despite some navigational issues, the app features useful resources for parents on handling everyday issues, from learning patience to managing sibling rivalry.
Daniel Tiger for Parents. iOS/Android. Toddler/PreK.
Songs and videos from the popular children's show guide parents to help their children develop social and emotional skills.
Dr. Panda Train (and all other Dr. Panda apps). Android. PreK.
A semi-guided simulation game in which players move a train from stop to stop, dropping off and picking up animal passengers along the way.
Martha Speaks Word Spinner. iOS/Android. PreK, Elementary.
An interactive game for up to 6 players, based on the Martha Speaks books. Players choose a dog as their game piece, spin a wheel, and complete the task (most involve sorting activities) in order to move along the board.
Moose Math. iOS/Android. PreK, Elementary.
Builds early math skills through five interactive games. Players are rewarded for mastering skills with the ability to add new features to their fictional town.
PBS Kids Games. iOS/Android, PreK, Elementary.
Shows, games, and activities strengthen reading, science, creativity, math, music and social/emotional skills.
PBS Parents Play & Learn. iOS/Android/Kindle Fire. PreK.
Over a dozen games that build on everyday experiences, and increase pattern recognition, math skills, and literacy. Each game includes tips and advice for parents to help create meaningful interactions every day!
PBS Kids Scratch Jr. iOS/Android. Elementary.
Use and learn coding to create interactive stories and games featuring favorite PBS characters. Includes a collection of lesson plans and resources for educators, parents, and caregivers.
Sago Mini Forest Flyer. iOS/Android. Toddler/PreK.
An open-ended play experience where users guide Robin through a magical forest.
Stop, Breathe & Think Kids. iOS/Android/Web. PreK, Elementary, Middle School, Parent/Teacher/Caregiver.
Practice mindfulness, meditation, and compassion-building from a selection of preset guided meditations. Track emotions pre and post-mediation to build emotional regulation skills.
Sushi Monster. iOS/Android. Elementary.
Children solve basic multiplication and addition problems to feed the Sushi Monster in this flash card inspired game. The quicker problems are solved the higher your score. To add difficulty, there is a planning, memory, and time management component. Levels become more difficult as you complete problems.
Tales Untold. iOS. PreK, Elementary.
Created to offer audio-only podcasts that will spark a love of storytelling, this app is full of stories geared toward children ages 3-7.
Todo Math. iOS/Android. PreK, Elementary.
Interactive games and activities help children practice math skills from counting to 10 to early elementary concepts including addition, subtraction, and basic multiplication. A large amount of content is available for free.
Toontastic 3D. iOS/Android. Elementary, Middle School.
Draw, animate, and narrate original cartoons for fun or school reports. Voice and animation are recorded and stored on your device as a 3D video.
Members of the 2018 Notable Children's Digital Media Committee are: Marianne Martens, co-chair, Kent (Ohio) State University; Alia Shields, co-chair, Cherry Hill (N.J.) Public Library; Alec Chunn, Eugene (Ore.) Public Library; Ariel Cummins, New Braunfels (Texas) Public Library; Renee Grassi, Dakota County Library, Eagan, Minn.; Diane Janoff, Queens Library - Poppenhusen, College Point, N.Y.; Beth Munk, Kendallville (Ind.) Public Library; Madeline Peña, Los Angeles Public Library; Elizabeth Saxton, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.