PlayKids—Videos and Educational Games for Kids and Toddlers!

PlayKids contains activities, videos, and books to engage young learners. After launching PlayKids, users are presented with a train, and each train car contains either activities or videos. Users select a train car by tapping it, and then they will be able to see the activities or videos in it. The first car with the words “Let’s Play” on it contains activities that include matching games, jigsaw puzzles, drawing exercises, and more. Each activity includes narrated instructions, which support users in completing the activity. The next train cars contain videos for users to view. The next-to-last train car includes books. When this train car is selected, PlayKids reads users digital picture books. The final train car is the “ZZZ” car. When it is tapped, users can select a lullaby to listen to while napping, and users can adjust how long the lullaby is played.

Please note: Only a limited amount of content in this app is free. Users must make in-app purchases to gain access to all of its content.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can assist students in picking and completing an activity from the first train car. While students are completing the activity, teachers can develop their conversation skills by asking them: (1) What are you doing or making? (2) Are you enjoying doing or making this activity? (3) Have you ever done or made something like this before?
2. Teachers can assist students in selecting and viewing a book or video with this app. Once the video or book is selected, students can view it or read along with the app. After students have viewed or read along, teachers can ask them: (1) What was the video/book about? (2) Did you enjoy the book or video? If so, what were you favorite parts? (3) Would you like to watch another video or read another book that is similar or different?
3. For a whole-class activity, teachers can connect their iPad to a projector and play a video or select a book to be read. After the video is played or the book is read, teachers can begin a class conversation by asking: (1) Can anyone retell me what happened in this video/book? (2) Was this a good video/book? Why? (3) Does this video/book remind you of something else you have seen or read previously?
4. During naptime, teachers can select a lullaby included in the “ZZZ” train car for their class to listen to while they rest.

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