Raising iKids

The holidays have come and gone and no doubt, another set of children has been folded into the touchscreen tablet trend that is fast becoming a household necessity.

No matter how old-school I prefer to be in raising my children, digital technology is here to stay and as I watch my children become engulfed in the far reaching iWorld, I'm straddling the fence of their needs vs. wants with regards to their proficiency with these handheld supercomputers.

This is a difficult subject for me because I fully recognize the need to keep current on technology trends and changes. I myself attempt to stay as current as financially possible so, certainly, I realize our children are growing up in a different time with different tools than the ones we had. I get it. I really do.

I haven't been able to surrender my children to the computer world without some heavy scrutiny. I've maintained the attitude that there will be plenty of time to learn it and they don't need to be fully exposed quite yet. They are 4 and 6 after all. I value imagination, real-life interaction and outdoor play too much. I take some solace, whether it be realistic or not, in the fact that because it is always around them - in our home, in our schools and in our society - they will absorb it because they have to. It has become the norm.

Though I resist their Angry Birds play in the grocery store and fingerprints on my iPhone - call me selfish, but that's a $600 toy that I don't want broken - I've been a little bit more flexible with their iPad interaction simply because its larger and less clumsy for little hands to secure. I also like iPad apps better and we can read and play together with the luxury of a larger screen and from the comfort (and safety) of the sofa. With this experience, I have begun to see the benefits. As my daughter is reading, it makes sense to upload new books for her to read in this format. Not to mention quick access educational apps for being able to answer her myriad of questions about "how?" and "why?" for everything she can possibly think of (and to further instill the belief that Mom knows all). Through the interactive stories, my son can also play and learn on a level that is appropropriate for him.

You may also not believe the incentive that iPad play can be if used cautiously enough. My kids will do just about anything to get their hands on that thing, which can be quite useful. At this age, I'm not above using it as a reward. Bonus.

The variety of apps and programs available with Apple's iPad is vast. From digital pop-up books, interactive storybooks and basic games, there is something for every age range. And although it may take a time or two of experimenting, kids really do become quite adept at tapping and sliding and navigating these touch screens which is so popular in our society. Everyday services from ATMs to movie rentals are utilizing this technology and it seems as though it's here to stay.

I've really enjoyed the effort and skill put into many apps by some notable developers and programmers. And it's great fun to find and share my own childhood stories in this new format. While the iPad won't replace the need for us to read actual books and play actual games with our children, it could further cement the bond and learning experiences between us while introducing a new and seemingly strong life skill.

So as I take this plunge, one step at a time, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite apps for family fun. Feel free to update me with your favorites.

Sesame Street's Monster at the End of this Book - A delight to see this retro story re-enacted by Grover himself with funny antics that make my kids laugh out loud.  I never hesitate to indulge when this is the story they are asking for.  It also demystifies the idea that all monsters are scary.

Dino Boy by Three Thumbs Up - Similar to choose-your-own-adventure stories, this app allows your child to explore different stories based on their decision. Soft sounds and gentle illustrations make for a friendly and charming story for young kids.

Little Things by Klick Tock - This cool and colorful game is more challenging than some, but it keeps my kids busy. The basis of the game is to find hidden objects within a larger picture made up of hundreds of items.  Teaches patience and attention to detail.  Grown ups might find themselves racing against the clock, and each other.

Wild Friends by fotopedia - This cool and free app is all about wild animals and has amazing photography to make this a hit for all ages.  Just looking at the photos can be inspiring. Organized somewhat like an encyclopedia, this app is great for learning and exploring the wild side.

The Three Little Pigs by Game Collage - If you thought pop-up books couldn't make the jump to a 2D format, think again.  This cool story book allows you to interact with the pop-up features while also giving you the option of xray mode to see how the pop-up mechanics work.  My 4yo son is already wanting to know more about the interworkings of gears and pulleys.