Blog #5: Vocab Tech for Toddlers Encourages 'Anytime. Anywhere Learning'

     Sesame Street was my childhood.  As a child of the 80's I grew up with Big Bird, Oscar, and Bert and Ernie.  I never put much thought into the fact that Sesame Street was a trailblazer for children's educational programming.  I guess I never knew life without television that taught you something.  So naturally it only makes sense for educational tools to make their way into our newest technology.  Children's programming crossing over platforms and finding its way on tablets and other forms of technology is a great thing for children.  Todays children are used to using these devices and as long as they are going to use them they may as well learn something while they play.  When you think about it is really no different than my generation sitting down to watch PBS on TV. 
     However, as with any form of technology it is not a substitute for the learning that occurs when a child engages with a parent or another adult.  One thing I liked about this article was how it talked about how a child can use this app with a parent.  Apps and technology are great but a child must still have ample time to talk to and engage with an adult.  The problem that children are arriving to school with a limited vocabulary was even brought up in this article.  A lot of this is due to children and parents not talking a lot with each other.  So as with anything a child can learn from an app but it is no substitute for the learning that occurs with a parent.