Preschool With The iPod Touch and iPad
I had the opportunity to go to school with my 4 year old yesterday and talk to her class about what I do at work. As I was trying to figure out what would keep 4 year olds attention for more than 1 minute I thought about the iPod Touch and the iPad.
I searched for preschool apps and found this helpful site. I downloaded a couple of the apps and found that the I was ready to go with Wheels On The Bus by Duck Duck Moose Design and Preschool Adventure by 3DAL.
Sitting at home the night before I decided that I should also try to teach them a little about computers. I grabbed the iPad, went to Google Images and downloaded some images of different computer components and used Keynote to create a presentation. I was very impressed with how the iPad enabled me to quickly create a good presentation with images and aminations that kept the kids focused (I am actually typing this post on the iPad as well). I also found an app called MeeGenius that allows the download of several children’s books and reads them for you.
As the classroom filled with 14 very awake and excited 4 year olds I realized I would have my work cut out for me. After joining them in their opening activities I was on. I pulled out the iPad and told them that it was going to read them a story. As the story began they quieted down quickly. It was amazing how fast the MeeGenius story got their attention and how well they listened. After the book was finished I talked briefly about what I do at DCHS and then showed them the presentation about the different parts of the computer finishing up with a picture of of the iPod Touch.
I pulled out the case with the iPods and gave them a 30 second tutorial that I’m sure none of them actually listened to, then had them go back to their seats. My daughter passed out the iPods and the kids were quickly up and running. My daughter was able to show them how to get started and the kids spent the next 20 minutes learning colors, numbers and many other things.
The iPod Touch and iPad both proved very capable, not only in the high school classroom, but also in the preschool classroom.
Wow! You make interesting use of your time away from DCHS! I think having each student have one of these at the high school level would be an excellent use of having technology literally “at their fingertips.” No more backpacks full of heavy books to lug back and forth from home to school. You introduced these preschoolers to the wave of the future. There are still lots of adults itching to see an iPad – and thanks to you, these kids already have!