A Conversation with Our New President: Welcoming Owen Brittan, Ph.D. to AWE Learning
As we celebrate World Read Aloud Day and National Library Lover’s Month, we’re excited to introduce AWE Learning’s new President, Owen Brittan, Ph.D. We sat down with Owen to discuss libraries, learning, and what’s ahead for AWE Learning.
Q: Owen, welcome to AWE Learning! What drew you to this role?
Owen: Thank you, I’m really excited to be here. What drew me to AWE Learning is how deeply rooted the company is in libraries and communities. Libraries have always been a meaningful part of my life. My parents used to take us to the local library all the time, and I would go straight for the computers to play Oregon Trail or the history section to look at books about WWII. I’ve also interned at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and the Newcastle University Robinson Library. AWE has spent decades supporting that mission, especially with children and families.
“Libraries are one of the few places left where everyone is welcome and learning is free.”
Owen Brittan, Ph.D.
Q: February is National Library Lover’s Month. What do libraries mean to you?
Owen: Libraries are one of our most important community anchors, as one of the few free public spaces left. They support learning far beyond books, from early literacy and after-school programs to workforce development to family services.
“I love that AWE Learning fits naturally into library programming by providing safe, engaging learning opportunities for kids while families use other resources.”
Owen Brittan, Ph.D.
Q: World Read Aloud Day has just passed. How does that connect to AWE Learning’s work?
Owen: Reading aloud is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support early learning. It builds vocabulary, comprehension, confidence, and connection. AWE’s content is designed to complement those moments by helping children explore letters, words, stories, and ideas independently, while reinforcing the literacy experiences they have with caregivers, educators, and librarians.
Q: How do you think about technology and children’s learning?
Owen: Screen time is part of modern childhood, but not all screen time is created equal. When used correctly, it can reinforce literacy, problem-solving, and curiosity. AWE Learning strikes that balance by offering structured, age-appropriate experiences that are safe and engaging, while still encouraging exploration and creativity. That distinction really matters to families and educators. Growing up, I had an IEP due to my struggles learning to read in early elementary school. I was lucky enough to have constant encouragement and access to some resources on our home computer. AWE workstations provide similar support to what I had at home, but in a public space available to everyone.
Q: What role do families play in AWE Learning’s mission?
Owen: Families are central. Libraries are often places where parents and caregivers juggle many needs, whether that’s job searching, classes, or using community services. Because our workstations are offline, AWE provides a safe, trusted space where children can learn independently without staff or parental supervision, which gives families flexibility. They can take advantage of the community programming libraries have to offer while knowing their kids are engaged in meaningful learning.
Q: What’s your vision for AWE Learning moving forward?
Owen: My focus is on stewardship and stability. Libraries rely on solutions that are stable, safe, and easy to manage. AWE Learning is in nearly 50% of public libraries across the country. We have built that trust by supporting our partners for decades. My goal is to strengthen that foundation by continuing to support our partners in a meaningful way as they plan confidently for the future.
We’re thrilled to welcome Owen to AWE Learning and look forward to continuing our work alongside libraries, educators, and families everywhere.
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From User Feedback to Global Favorites: How IDZ Crafts Learning Through Play
At IDZ Digital, creating meaningful, playful, and educational experiences for kids begins with one thing: listening. With over 400 million downloads across their apps, the company’s success is no accident. Every animation, interactive game, and feature is shaped by the voices of parents, children, and educators who use them. In this interview, the IDZ team shares how feedback drives their innovation, the inspiration behind their popular titles, and what exciting new projects are on the horizon for 2025
Q: Much of IDZ’s content is inspired by customer feedback. How essential is it for your team to receive feedback on your content, and how does it help shape or improve your products?
IDZ: Feedback from parents and kids shows us what excites children, supports their learning, and where we can improve—keeping our apps fresh, fun, and effective. We receive feedback from multiple sources like app reviews, support queries, user testing sessions, conversations with users, and blogger reviews. This helps us understand what we’re doing well, where we can grow, and where the opportunity lies to improve. This continuous feedback loop plays a crucial role in driving ongoing improvements. It ensures that our apps evolve in the right direction to deliver the best possible learning experience for our audience.
Q: Geometry Shapes—Pre-K is one of IDZ’s most popular titles. How did feedback on this title help inspire other content?
IDZ: When exploring early-learning content, we realized that math could be exciting and engaging for kids through interactive games. That led to the creation of Geometry Shapes—Pre-K (Math Preschool).
Feedback and reviews on this title helped us refine it and inspired us with new creative ideas. While this title remains a favorite among users, we’ve developed even more popular apps like KidloLand, Coloring Club, Baby World, Dino Preschool, and many more. Many of these award-winning apps were born from listening to our users and understanding their needs—and today, they’re enjoyed by millions of children around the world.
Q: What new titles or projects is IDZ working on that users can look forward to in 2025?
IDZ: We’re excited about what’s ahead! In 2025, we’re expanding our offerings across the Baby, Preschool, Coloring, and Cooking genres.
Some of our recent launches include Princess Preschool, which blends fun themes with early learning. Coming soon are Montessori Games for Kids in 3D, Monster Truck 3D, and Supermarket Game 3D. We’ve also released Pizza Preschool Learning Games and have more upcoming titles focused on creativity, cooking, and coloring. We’re committed to delivering fresh, meaningful experiences that kids love.
Q: Play is at the heart of IDZ’s mission. How important is play in early childhood development?
IDZ: Play is one of the most powerful tools for early learning. It sparks curiosity and makes learning joyful and natural. We believe that when learning feels like play, children are more engaged and retain concepts better.
We invest time in understanding how children interact with our apps—watching real-life videos of kids using them—so that we can ensure our games and activities are both fun and developmentally appropriate. For us, play isn’t just entertainment; it’s the foundation of early skill-building.
Q: What is the origin story behind IDZ Digital? How and why was the company founded?
IDZ: IDZ began back in 2004 as a small online birthday greeting card website. Over time, we explored various online products before stepping into the kids’ early learning space. Our first real step came with a simple nursery rhymes app that featured just five rhymes. That app became the foundation of KidloLand Nursery Rhymes, our first official app, launched in 2012. Its success convinced us to focus entirely on educational apps. Since then, we’ve created a wide range of award-winning, engaging learning apps that have brought joy and education to millions of children globally.
With their focus on fun, feedback, and foundational learning, IDZ continues to shape the future of early childhood education through technology—one joyful app at a time.
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Supporting Families with Children Who Are English Language Learners
Bridging Language Gaps with AWE Learning’s Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station ®
Across the United States, more than 5 million children are classified as English Language Learners (ELLs), representing over 10% of K–12 students. These learners—and their families—are navigating both academic and cultural transitions that directly impact educational success. Parents may face barriers in supporting their child’s English development due to limited language proficiency, access to resources, or rooted challenges.
This resource highlights the experiences of families with children who are ELLs, the vital role of schools and libraries, and how AWE Learning’s Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station ® offers developmentally appropriate tools to support language growth and lifelong learning.
The ELL Landscape in America
Growing Need: English Language Learners are one of the fastest-growing populations in U.S. schools.
Diverse Backgrounds: Families speak more than 400 languages nationwide, with Spanish the most common.
Educational Pressure: Students are expected to build English proficiency while keeping pace with grade-level benchmarks.
Family Challenges: Parents may struggle to provide at-home support due to limited English skills.
Challenges Families Face
Language Barriers: Parents may find it hard to help with schoolwork or communicate with teachers.
Limited Access to Resources: Few bilingual books, digital tools, or programs are readily available.
Learning Gaps: Students may need extra time and help to meet literacy milestones.
Balancing Languages: Families want to maintain their family’s languages while learning English skills.
Confidence & Participation: Children who are ELLs sometimes face stigma that impacts self-esteem, which affects learning.
How Schools and Libraries Help
Schools provide instruction but may not have enough tools to support every young learner.
Libraries are safe, welcoming spaces with bilingual programs, educational technology, and enrichment activities.
Libraries open their doors to eager young learners, giving them a quiet space to explore knowledge and develop skills to set them up for a personal growth journey.
Community Programs offer additional access to books, tools, and family learning opportunities.
The Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station® Advantage
The Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station ® from AWE Learning is a child-friendly workstation preloaded with educational software for children ages 2–12. For families with children who are English Language Learners, it provides:
Multilingual Content
Activities that help children learn English while supporting their family’s languages.
Bilingual, picture-supported programs that improve comprehension.
Engaging and Developmentally Appropriate Tools
Activities for visual, auditory, hands-on, logical, social, and independent learners.
Simple navigation allows children to learn on their own time.
Safe, Guided Discovery
No internet access is required to create a secure learning environment.
Built-in time limits to encourage healthy educational screen habits.
Family-Friendly Features
Activities that support parent–child learning, even when parents are still learning English.
Games and programs that build confidence.
Reporting tools for teachers and librarians to track progress.
Libraries as Launchpads for ELL Success
Libraries using the Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station ® report stronger engagement among families, higher participation in bilingual story times, and greater collaboration among staff, children, and caregivers, by offering ready-to-use resource. Libraries create welcoming spaces that help children build confidence and are able to grow academically.
Inspiring Discovery. Building Skills.
Families with children who are English Language Learners deserve accessible, engaging tools that support language learning and confidence. The Bilingual Spanish Early Literacy Station ® helps schools and libraries provide these opportunities— transforming challenges into moments of discovery and progress
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How Early Learning Can Address the Third Grade Reading Crisis and How AWE Helps
In 2025, children’s librarians stand at a pivotal crossroads where literacy, technology, and community engagement converge. Their mission to inspire The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results have sounded a nationwide alarm: over 65% of 4th graders are not proficient in reading or math. Despite historic federal investments in education recovery, the data shows a troubling decline in foundational literacy. This white paper explores how public libraries—and the professionals who power them—can lead the turnaround using scalable and developmentally appropriate tools like those offered by AWE Learning.
The Third-Grade Reading Crisis
Why it matters: By third grade, children transition from learning how to read to using reading as the tool for all future learning. Falling behind at this stage makes catching up exponentially harder.
The scope: Only about 31% of U.S. fourth graders are proficient readers. The rates are even lower for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The risk: Students who are not proficient by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
Why Early Learning is the Solution
Research consistently shows that early literacy development is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic achievement. Early learning matters because:
Brain development peaks early: 90% of brain growth happens before age 5, making early exposure to language and literacy skills critical.
Early intervention is more effective: Gaps in phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension widen with each grade level. The earlier the intervention, the easier it is to close them.
Confidence builds early: Children who see themselves as “readers” in the early years approach school with confidence and curiosity.
Family and community engagement starts at a young age: Early learning environments encourage parents and caregivers to be part of the process, reinforcing skills at home.
How AWE Learning Supports Early Learning
AWE Learning’s solutions are designed specifically to address early literacy during the most critical years (ages 2–8).
Play-based literacy building: Games, activities, and stories that develop phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
Safe, focused environment: Standalone workstations keep children engaged in learning without online distractions.
Bilingual and accessible: Options in English, Spanish, and French support multilingual learners and expand equity of access.
STREAM-aligned content: Reading is integrated with science, technology, arts, and math to show children how literacy connects to every subject.
Engagement and motivation: Interactive, multimedia content sparks curiosity and joy motivating children to practice literacy skills consistently.
Early Learning in Action: AWE Implementation Models
Preschool & Kindergarten Classrooms: AWE stations provide literacy centers that introduce phonics and vocabulary in playful ways.
Public Libraries: Community hubs where children can access early learning opportunities beyond the school day.
Home & After-School Programs: AWE Learning helps families and caregivers reinforce literacy at home, bridging gaps in access.
Summer Learning: Keeps children engaged during breaks, reducing the “summer slide” that often widens reading gaps.
Recommendations for Success
Start early: Implement AWE Learning programs in Pre-K through Grade 3 classrooms and community spaces.
Pair with structured literacy: Use AWE to complement teacher-led phonics and evidence-based instruction.
Engaged families: Provide guidance for parents on using AWE as a tool for early learning at home.
Track outcomes: Use AWE’s reporting features alongside assessments to monitor growth in early literacy skills.
The third-grade reading crisis threatens the future of millions of children, but it doesn’t have to. Early learning is the answer. By investing in literacy before third grade, schools, libraries, and communities can change outcomes for students at risk of falling behind. AWE Learning is a proven partner in this mission. The Company’s Early Literacy Stations and digital resources give children the tools to build strong reading foundations early, setting them on a trajectory for lifelong learning and success.
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Premier Content Partner Spotlight: Help Me 2 Learn An Interview with Owner Dan Sheffield
At AWE Learning, we’re passionate about providing fun, educational digital experiences for young learners, and that means partnering with the best in the industry. One of our standout content partners is Help Me 2 Learn!
Help Me 2 Learn has a long-standing commitment to making learning enjoyable and effective for children. Founded with the goal of combining education with technology in a meaningful way, they’ve developed award-winning programs that teach essential reading, phonics, math, and English language skills. Their interactive, game-based learning approach is built to engage children and reinforce key concepts in a fun, memorable way.
Through our partnership, Help Me 2 Learn’s dynamic content is seamlessly integrated into AWE Learning’s digital platform, making it available to young learners in libraries, classrooms, and other educational settings across the country. This collaboration ensures kids have access to research-based, developmentally appropriate tools that support foundational skill development and lifelong learning.
Together, AWE Learning and Help Me 2 Learn are helping educators inspire confidence, creativity, and curiosity in every child.
Q: What inspired the creation of Help Me 2 Learn, and how has your mission evolved since its inception?
Help Me 2 Learn: The inspiration behind Help Me 2 Learn stemmed from the simple joy of music. I discovered the Twin Sisters songs and was struck by how effectively they captured children’s attention and made learning fun. That sparked an idea—what if we built an entire educational experience around this kind of engaging, playful learning?
So we expanded on that foundation. We added lyrics, interactive content, games, and activities—all designed to reinforce early learning in a way that feels more like play than work. Our ‘Learn the Words’ vocabulary builder and the ‘Super Star Motivational and Data Tracking System’ became core to the experience, helping kids track progress and stay motivated.
Over time, we noticed that as students grew older, they began to outgrow the sing-along format. That led us to evolve. We introduced our Super Star Kids characters, who guide students through lessons with animated presentations. These enhancements ensure our platform continues to meet learners where they are—engaged, curious, and ready to succeed.
Q: With a focus on phonics, early learning, math, and language arts, how do you ensure the content remains engaging and effective for elementary students?
Help Me 2 Learn: While the core principles of early education haven’t changed much, the ways we teach—and how students engage—definitely have. That’s where Super Star by Help Me 2 Learn stands out. Our lessons are designed to be flexible and versatile. Teachers can use them for whole-class presentations, game-based competitions, or independent learning time.
What really makes our content stick is its structure. Every lesson includes a mix of multimedia: a song or animated explanation to introduce the concept, a ‘Learn the Words’ activity for vocabulary and phonics practice, and interactive games to reinforce learning. The variety keeps students engaged, and the repetition builds mastery.
We’re not here to replace teachers—we’re here to support them with tools that make learning more dynamic, inclusive, and fun.
Q: Can you elaborate on how Help Me 2 Learn personalizes learning experiences to cater to individual student needs?
Help Me 2 Learn: Personalization is built into the DNA of Super Star. Each student logs in with their own account, and from that moment, their learning journey is tracked and celebrated through our Super Star Motivational and Data Tracking System.
As students complete activities, songs, and games, they earn silver or gold stars based on their performance. If they make a few mistakes, they earn a silver star, but they’re always encouraged to try again for gold. This simple system not only provides immediate feedback but also creates a sense of achievement and motivation.
We’ve also designed flexibility into the system. Teachers can adjust difficulty levels or allow more leniency for students who need it. Some of our games even include alternative quizzes for those who might find certain activities challenging. It’s all about giving each child a path to succeed—at their own pace, in their own way.
Q: How does the platform support multilingual education, and what languages are currently available?
Help Me 2 Learn: While our platform is currently available only in English, its design is incredibly supportive of multilingual learners. A standout feature is our “Learn the Words” activity, which breaks down words visually and phonetically. Students see the word, hear it pronounced, view an image of it, and explore its phonemic structure using Elkonin boxes—those familiar letter blocks that help learners connect sounds with spelling.
This interactive multisensory approach helps English language learners build vocabulary and phonics skills with minimal reliance on translation. In our higher-level courses, we expand these tools to explore syllables and full sentences, further supporting language development.
In fact, this methodology has made our program popular internationally, especially in China. With some localized adaptations, our platform has found enthusiastic audiences abroad—proof that effective teaching tools can transcend language barriers.
Q: In what ways does Help Me 2 Learn accommodate students with special educational needs to ensure inclusivity?
Help Me 2 Learn: We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact our courses have had on students with special educational needs. Our system is designed to be accessible, engaging, and—perhaps most importantly—self-paced. Students can explore lessons at their own speed, without the pressure of keeping up with peers or rushing to finish.
One of the most rewarding moments was when a parent of a special needs student reached out after a technical issue disrupted their child’s learning. The urgency in that call showed how meaningful the program had become to that student. Once we addressed the problem, their joy was immediate—it was a moment that reminded us of why we do what we do.
In addition to the motivational gold and silver stars, we provide alternative options—like simplified quizzes—when games may be too challenging. This flexibility helps every learner find a way to succeed. As one longtime fan (who began using Super Star as a child with special needs and is now an adult) recently shared, “Super Star kids are fun, funny, and entertaining for kids. I love Super Star Games.” That’s the kind of feedback that stays with you.
Q: Could you share insights into how educators can monitor student progress and utilize the provided pedagogical recommendations?
Help Me 2 Learn: We’ve designed Super Star with educators in mind from the very beginning. As the platform evolved from CD-ROMs to networked school environments, we added robust teacher tools that make it easy to track progress and adapt instruction.
Teachers can access both class-wide and individual student reports, including pre- and post-tests, and adjust course settings for differentiated instruction. There are controls to manage game repetition (so students don’t just replay their favorites), assign specific lessons, and adjust difficulty levels as needed.
To help teachers make the most of these features, we provide an in-depth Teacher & Admin Resources course, complete with video tutorials and written guides. Our goal is to empower educators with both insight and flexibility—so they can tailor learning to each student’s needs while maximizing classroom impact.
Q: What role does the Super Star Motivational and Data Tracking System play in enhancing the educational content and experience on the platform?
Help Me 2 Learn: The Super Star Motivational and Data Tracking System is the heart of our learning experience. It transforms practice into progress and builds a sense of achievement that keeps students coming back.
Every activity—whether it’s a song, game, or vocabulary exercise—offers immediate feedback. A few mistakes? That’s a silver star. Try again and get it all right? You earn a gold star. Students can view their accumulated stars on the Super Star screen, which creates a strong visual record of their success.
And it’s not just about stars—many students are highly motivated by the printable certificates of achievement they earn after completing a course. Teachers often display these certificates in classrooms, turning learning into something celebratory and visible.
Without this system, our lessons might just be another set of digital activities. But with it, we’ve created a motivational loop that supports growth, encourages perseverance, and makes learning feel like an accomplishment.
Q: How does Help Me 2 Learn align its content with various educational curricula to support classroom learning effectively?
Help Me 2 Learn: Aligning with educational standards can be challenging, given the diversity of teaching philosophies and state requirements. However, we’ve worked hard to make sure our content is classroom-ready and standards-aligned.
Our lessons are aligned to Common Core standards, and those connections are clearly documented in our User Guide and Lesson Plans. This makes it easy for educators to integrate our materials into existing curriculum maps.
More recently, we’ve also found strong alignment with the Science of Reading approach, which emphasizes structured phonics and evidence-based literacy instruction. Many of our core components—especially our phonics lessons and “Learn the Words” activities—fit naturally within this framework.
In short, our focus has always been on building foundational skills. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is how we present and support those skills to align with current best practices in education.
Q: What feedback have you received from educators and parents regarding the platform’s impact on student engagement and learning outcomes?
Help Me 2 Learn: The feedback we’ve received over the years has been incredibly rewarding. Educators often tell us that our platform helps “wake up” reluctant learners. The mix of music, games, and interactive lessons helps capture attention and build confidence—especially in students who may struggle with traditional methods.
Parents have shared stories of kids asking to “play” our lessons at home, sometimes not even realizing they’re learning because the experience feels so fun and engaging. One mom told us that our courses helped her child finally understand phonics concepts that had been elusive in the classroom. Stories like that remind us why we created Help Me 2 Learn in the first place.
We’ve also received several awards for educational excellence, and we regularly post testimonials from teachers, parents, and even students on our website. Their experiences continue to inspire us as we develop and refine our content.
Q: How does Help Me 2 Learn incorporate gamification to make learning more interactive and enjoyable for students?
Help Me 2 Learn: Gamification is at the core of what we do. Our courses aren’t just sprinkled with games—they are built around them. Each lesson includes interactive, educational games that reinforce what’s being taught. And these aren’t just any games—they’re thoughtfully designed to blend fun with learning.
Our games feature animation, sound effects, characters, and point systems—all the elements kids love in video games. But they also require real understanding to win. Before students jump into a game, they work through the vocabulary and concepts they’ll need to succeed. That way, the gameplay feels like a reward and reinforces mastery.
One standout is our “Board Breaking Game,” where students split words into syllables in a martial-arts-themed activity. It’s one of the most popular among kids—and educators love it because it teaches while it entertains. And of course, each game offers the chance to earn a gold star, which keeps motivation high.
Q: Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations that have been instrumental in expanding Help Me 2 Learn’s reach and effectiveness?
Help Me 2 Learn: We’ve been fortunate to partner with organizations that share our passion for educational excellence. One of our most enduring collaborations is with AWE Learning, which has helped us bring our content to libraries across the United States. This has made our courses accessible to thousands of children beyond the traditional classroom.
Internationally, we’ve built a strong relationship with an English instructor and her team in China. With some custom localization, they’ve introduced our platform to a wide audience, selling thousands of subscriptions each month. Their students particularly enjoy our ‘Learn the Words’ activities and syllable-splitting games.
These partnerships have not only expanded our reach but also provided valuable insights into how children learn in different cultural and linguistic contexts—insights that continue to shape our future development.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future plans for Help Me 2 Learn in terms of content development, technological advancements, or global expansion?
Help Me 2 Learn: We’ve come a long way since launching our first CD-ROM, Letters and Numbers, back in 2000. Since then, we’ve evolved with technology—offering downloadable versions, Flash-based online learning, and now modern HTML5 content that works across devices. Currently, we’re focused on converting our final few Flash-based courses into HTML5 to ensure full compatibility for today’s classrooms and devices.
Internationally, we’re seeing growing success in China and are eager to expand into other global markets. We’re actively seeking teachers and educational partners in new countries to help us localize and scale the platform.
In terms of content, we plan to deepen our offerings in language arts and early math while continuing to innovate our motivational systems and game-based learning tools. Our mission remains the same: to make foundational learning joyful, accessible, and effective for every student, everywhere.
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In 2025, children’s librarians stand at a pivotal crossroads where literacy, technology, and community engagement converge. Their mission to inspire young learners is challenged by budget constraints, censorship pressures, and the complexities of digital transformation. This white paper explores the evolving role of children’s librarians, the pain points they face, and how AWE Learning supports their journey through guided discovery platforms and broad educational tools.
The 2025 Children’s Librarian
Children’s librarians are more than information stewards; they are architects of imagination and champions of intellectual freedom. They:
In the age of technology, screens have become a part of adults’ and children’s lives. While excessive screen time for young children has received much criticism, recent studies are beginning to show how screen time is utilized in a child’s cognitive development. Since 2020, Researchers found that educational screen time provides the most benefit, showing positive effects on children’s persistence and educational outcomes while also having no significant impact on health. Interactive screen time, which includes time spent playing video games, showed positive educational outcomes but was associated with poorer health.
AWE Learning’s mission is to inspire an enthusiasm for learning by supporting school readiness and literacy in the community. AWE Learning has more than 25 years of experience providing early childhood literacy resources to public libraries and other community organizations. AWE Learning is Kid-Safe Certified and promotes reasoning and strategic thinking through creative play with Award-Winning Educational content, such as “Geometry Shapes”, “Graphing Puzzle” and “Kids Learn to Sort”.
A longitudinal study published in 2020 looked at cognitive and emotional functioning in children over time, between age 4 and 8, measured against their daily screen time. The study found excessive screen time led to “emotional dysregulation and negatively affected mathematics and literacy in school-age students.” This has led to an increase in parents, teachers, librarians, and more to discourage children from using screens in any capacity, preventing opportunities to utilize digitalized educational content.
The solution to that issue might be simpler than expected. There are numerous ways to utilize a child’s screen time into a positive, educational experience. Several studies have shown that students understand concepts more thoroughly by actively engaging in the learning process. One of the best ways to do that is through applying game-based learning—i.e., using games as learning tools. Under a game-based learning framework, students master the subjects they are taught, and they have fun doing it, too.
Several proven benefits of game-based learning include:
Make the learning process more fun and enjoyable.
Promote active learning and critical thinking.
Encourage true understanding and mastery of subjects.
Help students learn more quickly.
Help students retain what they’ve learned.
Give immediate feedback on mistakes and explain how to correct them.
Are more effective for neurodivergent students.
Increase average grades and passing rates.
Julianna Miner, mom of three and author of “Raising a Screen-Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital Age,” states, “If you think about screen time the way you think about nutrition, there’s like digital broccoli and digital ice cream.”
Per the Oxford Academic: “Some evidence suggests that interactive media, specific applications that involve contingent responses from an adult (i.e., timely reactions to what a child says or does), can help children learn. This responsiveness, when coupled with age-appropriate content, timing, and intensity of action, can teach new words to 24- month-olds. There is evidence too that interactive ‘learn-to-read’ apps and e-books can build early literacy by providing practice with letters, phonics, word recognition, and story comprehension. One recent study has suggested that tablet training with an educational 3-game app can foster sustained attention in children aged 3 to 4 years old. However, while screens may help with learning when quality content is co-viewed, preschoolers learn expressive language and vocabulary best from live, direct, and dynamic interactions with caring adults.”
As an early marker of developmental risk, language delay in preschoolers is a closely studied correlation of screen time. One recent meta-analysis clearly associated a greater quantity of screen use and exposure (including background TV) during infancy with lower language skills at 3 to 4 years of age.
AWE Learning’s solution is a collaborative effort by certified publishers who specialize in creating engaging, educational content for kids. A popular choice for young learners on AWE Learning solutions is content from Robogarden, a 2023 ASTech Award Finalist and multi-award-winning publisher that specializes in interactive, play-based learning that helps young children sharpen their coding skills, as well as develop their STEM skills.
AWE Learning Award Winning Content:
Award-winning content partnered with “Gold Standard” software brand.
The Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award-Grades K-5 for “BRAINtastic! Reading Success” -Ed Alive.
The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval for “Multiplication Rap” – Rock N Learn.
The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval for “Division Rap” – Rock N Learn.
Apple App Store – Kids Education Games for “PopMath” – AppBlit.
Creative Child Magazine – Preferred Choice Award for “Writing Strategies” -Rock N Learn.
Wired magazine – Kids Choice for “Pop Geo” – AppBlit.
Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Awards for “Writing Wizard” and “Word Wizard” – L’Escapadou.
Google Indie Games Showcase 2019 Finalist, Best Polish Mobile Game of the Year, MomoCon Best Indie Award for “Hexologic” – Mythic Owl.
Parenting Hero Award for “Divido” – Mythic Owl.
Educational Screen time has numerous proven benefits to enhance the learning experience for young children!
The American Library Association revealed that 67% of public libraries are the only source providing free internet access and computers to their respective communities. With AWE Learning’s expertise and proven track record in delivering Award-Winning educational content to young learners Ages 2-12, AWE’s dedication to bringing the fun and joys of learning outside of the classroom and into public libraries and households remain the same!
Testimonials:
“This system adds value to the children’s program. Children today are growing up with technology all around them, and the more we can implement a technological aspect to a child’s learning, the more they’re going to respond to it.” – John Kelley, Executive Director, Phoenixville Library
“We have had two of these amazing computers for six years now, and if you want the highest quality computer games for young children AND the freedom for kids to enjoy them on their own (without staff restarting, troubleshooting, unplugging, and all the other issues that can come with game computers) then you may want to consider investing in an AWE computer!” – Cindy Christin, Supervisor, Children’s Services, Bozeman Public Library
“The AWE workstations help preschool students prepare for success in school and beyond. Our teachers appreciate the engaging content that supports early literacy and STEAM concepts.” – Lynn Newkirk, Owner, The Goddard School (West Carmel, IN)
References
Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world | Pediatrics & Child Health | Oxford Academic (oup.com))_ https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi article=1909&context=grp https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X20969846 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/esports https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/09/benefits integrating-technology-todaysk-12-classrooms-perfcon Coding Games from Beginner to Professional Level | RoboGarden Top Five Educational Screen Time Benefits
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