Different Ways to Learn: How Libraries Can Support Diverse Learning Needs 

How structured activities, flexible interaction, and purposeful educational technology can give children more ways to participate in the library. 

Libraries welcome children with different strengths, interests, abilities, and support needs. Some children eagerly explore new activities independently. Others prefer a demonstration, spoken instructions, or time to return to something familiar. 

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month offers an opportunity to consider how libraries can make learning experiences more accessible to these different learners. 

Books, story times, hands-on activities, and educational technology can all contribute. The opportunity lies in offering children different ways to engage with information, practice skills, and discover what interests them. 

For libraries, that raises a practical question: How can the resources already in the children’s space create more opportunities for participation? 

More Than One Way to Begin 

Wadena City Library has grown alongside the community it serves.

A 2017 space needs assessment found that the library’s former building, largely unchanged for 32 years, had reached capacity. As more young families used the library and demand grew for programming beyond traditional collections, staff and city leadership began reconsidering what their library needed to provide.

Among the priorities were dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults; greater flexibility for community programming; accessibility; and more hands-on learning opportunities for children.

The library moved into its current home in 2023, creating a space designed around those changing needs.

Within its children’s area, interactive learning quickly became an important part of the experience.

Making Learning Visible and Repeatable 

Clear tasks can give children something concrete to investigate. 

On AWE stations, Kids Learn to Sort invites children to organize objects by shape, color, size, and other characteristics. Puzzle Shapes includes matching pairs, colors, sizes, and shapes, alongside basic counting. Pre-coding Penguins introduces activities involving matching, sequences, and patterns. 

These titles illustrate how educational content can make a task visible and understandable. Children can explore relationships, make choices, and revisit familiar activities. 

For children who want more time with a concept, repeatable activities provide opportunities to try again without needing to move at another child’s pace. A caregiver or librarian can offer a brief prompt, demonstrate a step, or allow time for independent exploration. 

The appropriate level of support will differ. Familiarity may help one child begin, while another may be ready for a new challenge. 

Purposeful Features Matter

Audio, animation, and interaction are most useful when they contribute to the learning task. 

Research by Takacs, Swart, and Bus found that multimedia features in digital storybooks can support comprehension and vocabulary when they reinforce the story. Interactive extras that pull attention away from the narrative can interfere with learning. 

Similarly, Hirsh-Pasek and colleagues emphasize active involvement, engagement, meaningful content, and social interaction when evaluating educational apps. 

For libraries, these findings encourage looking closely at what an activity asks a child to do. 

Paint the Square, for example, asks children to arrange colors and arrows in the correct order to match an image. Pango Build Park involves assembling blocks to create a path for a character. Both give children a visible goal and an opportunity to test their choices. 

Creative activities offer another form of participation. Fingertapps Music – Solo allows children to explore instruments and record their creations, while Jelly Jigsaw provides a collaborative, multi-touch puzzle experience. 

These examples offer different opportunities to solve, create, and share. Selecting among them should reflect the child’s interests and response to the activity. 

A Structured Environment with Room for Choice

The learning environment also matters. 

AWE’s preloaded educational content operates without requiring open internet access, giving children a defined collection of activities to explore. Libraries can manage maximum sound levels and offer headphones according to individual preferences. 

That structure can help staff introduce a resource and explain what children can do within it. However, comfort remains individual. One child may enjoy an activity’s music and movement, while another may prefer something quieter. 

AWE’s AutiSpark content provides additional options involving object association, sorting, sounds, words, and emotions. Along with other titles featured in AWE’s Supports & Titles for Neurodivergent Learners guide, it gives staff a starting point for exploring activities with families. 

Learning disabilities and neurodivergence are related but distinct topics, and children’s needs vary within both groups. A title’s features can help guide selection; a child’s diagnosis alone cannot determine the best activity. 

Connecting Digital Exploration With the Rest of the Library

A workstation experience can lead naturally into another library activity. 

A sorting game might be followed by arranging physical objects. A digital building challenge could connect with blocks or a makerspace activity. A narrated story might inspire a child to choose a related book. 

Caregivers can strengthen these connections through simple questions: “What did you notice?” “How did you choose that?” or “Would you like to show me?” 

The NAEYC and Fred Rogers Center position statement emphasizes intentional, developmentally appropriate technology use within a broader environment of relationships, play, and hands-on learning. 

Libraries are well positioned to offer that variety. Their value comes from bringing different resources together in a welcoming space where families can explore.

Supporting Participation Throughout the Year

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month can begin a conversation that continues beyond October. 

Libraries can consider whether children have understandable starting points, different ways to interact, opportunities to revisit activities, and assistance when they want it. Listening to caregivers and observing children’s responses can help staff make thoughtful adjustments. 

AWE Learning’s structured environment and range of educational titles can contribute to this approach by giving libraries additional options for engagement and skill practice. Individual experiences will vary, and these resources complement the support children receive at home and school. 

By combining purposeful digital activities with books, conversation, and hands-on discovery, libraries can give more children a place to begin—and reasons to keep exploring. 

Explore additional resources: 

• Neurodiverse Learning Support and Supports & Titles for Neurodivergent Learners 
  
• AWE Learning Research Brief and Library/School Logic Models 
  
• Platinum Version 4 Literacy Stations 
  
  
  Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options.
  
  info@awelearning.com | 610.833.6400 

Sources

CAST. (2024). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines, version 3.0. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/ 

Hirsh-Pasek, K., et al. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(1), 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615569721 

Takacs, Z. K., Swart, E. K., & Bus, A. G. (2015). Benefits and pitfalls of multimedia and interactive features in technology-enhanced storybooks: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 85(4), 698–739. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4647204/ 

NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center. (2012). Technology and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. 

AWE Learning. Supports & Titles for Neurodivergent Learners. Title availability varies by workstation version and purchased content modules. 

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

Beyond the Screen: How Interactive Early Learning Strengthens Family Engagement in a Small Rural Minnesota Library

What Wadena City Library’s experience reveals about the role of hands-on learning technology in attracting families, supporting young learners, and expanding engagement with library services.

Public libraries have long served as places for reading, discovery, and connection. As the needs of their communities evolve, so does the way families experience the library.

For families with young children, books and storytimes remain essential parts of that experience, but hands-on and interactive learning opportunities can provide another reason to walk through the door. When thoughtfully integrated into a children’s space, educational technology can complement traditional library resources while encouraging exploration, independent learning, and continued engagement with the library.

Wadena City Library in Wadena, Minnesota offers a compelling example.

As the library adapted its spaces and services around the needs of a changing community, interactive early learning became an important part of its approach. Today, two AWE Learning stations have become some of the most heavily used resources in the building, and their impact extends beyond the children using them.

The experience raises a larger question for public libraries:

Can interactive learning technology do more than provide an educational activity for children? Can it strengthen a family’s relationship with the library itself?

Wadena’s experience suggests that it can.

Interactive Learning Can Become a Draw for Families

Wadena City Library has grown alongside the community it serves.

A 2017 space needs assessment found that the library’s former building, largely unchanged for 32 years, had reached capacity. As more young families used the library and demand grew for programming beyond traditional collections, staff and city leadership began reconsidering what their library needed to provide.

Among the priorities were dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults; greater flexibility for community programming; accessibility; and more hands-on learning opportunities for children.

The library moved into its current home in 2023, creating a space designed around those changing needs.

Within its children’s area, interactive learning quickly became an important part of the experience.

Wadena initially purchased one AWE Learning station. According to Branch Manager Renee Frethem, its popularity with children quickly demonstrated the need for another. 

“Wadena City Library has two AWE learning stations. We started with one station and quickly realized we needed at least one more due to the popularity with the children.”
— Renee Frethem, Branch Manager, Wadena City Library

Today, usage of the stations matches or exceeds the library’s traditional patron computers. Some families specifically visit the library so their children can use them.

That makes the technology more than another resource within the building.

It becomes a reason to visit.

The Screen Can Be the Beginning — Not the End — of the Library Experience

Educational technology and traditional library resources are sometimes treated as competing experiences.

Wadena’s experience suggests a different relationship.

Because the AWE Learning stations are located within the children’s area, a visit that begins with interactive learning naturally places families alongside books, collections, programming, and other library services.

And Wadena has seen that proximity translate into broader engagement.

“Families come in just to use the AWE’s and end up applying for library cards and checking out materials — it’s become a real beacon for bringing new families into the library.”
— Renee Frethem, Branch Manager, Wadena City Library

That ripple effect is significant.

A child may initially be interested in an educational game or activity. That interest brings the family into the library. Once there, the family encounters everything else the library has to offer.

Wadena’s broader family-centered environment supports that connection. The library offers weekly children’s storytimes, summer and winter reading programs, author events, community meetups, and dedicated spaces for different generations.

Interactive learning therefore does not have to replace books or traditional literacy experiences.

It can become another pathway toward them.

Small Libraries Need High-Impact Resources Without High Staff Burden

For small and rural libraries, introducing a new resource involves more than considering whether patrons will use it.

Staff must also consider what it will require to maintain.

Wadena City Library reports that its AWE Learning stations require very little day-to-day staff upkeep. Routine updates can be handled through a straightforward administrative process, allowing the technology to remain available without creating a significant additional responsibility for staff.

“There is very little staff upkeep on the machines — for a small branch like ours, that matters.”
— Renee Frethem, Branch Manager, Wadena City Library

At the same time, children have access to a range of age-appropriate, STREAM-focused programs and activities through responsive touchscreens, color-coded keyboards, and mice designed to support young learners.

The stations connect to Wi-Fi when updates are needed, but children cannot access the internet, they can only use the educational content installed on the machine.

For Wadena, sustainability also extends to how the stations were funded.

Both were purchased through community donations and grants rather than the city budget, demonstrating how outside funding can help libraries introduce new learning resources while protecting limited operating dollars.

Family-Centered Technology Works Best as Part of a Larger Ecosystem

One of the most important lessons from Wadena is that no single resource transformed the library on its own.

The AWE Learning stations are part of a broader effort to create a library around the families who use it.

Wadena’s current building includes dedicated children’s, teen, and adult spaces. Its children’s area was designed with room to grow as the town’s youngest population grows. A flexible community room accommodates events and gatherings, while drive-through pickup, 24/7 drop-off, and after-hours rentable space make the library more accessible within residents’ everyday lives.

Interactive learning exists within that larger ecosystem.

The result is a children’s space where young patrons can move between different types of learning and discovery, from educational technology to books, storytime, programs, and shared experiences with their families.

This is an important distinction for libraries evaluating technology for young patrons.

The goal is screen time with a purpose, using the right technology to increase engagement with learning and with the library.

What Wadena’s Experience Suggests for Public Libraries

Wadena City Library represents one community, and its experience should not be treated as a universal outcome for every library. However, its experience highlights several considerations for libraries evaluating how interactive learning fits into their children’s services.

1. Children’s Technology Can Become a Family Acquisition Tool

A resource designed for young learners can provide a reason for an entire family to enter the library. At Wadena, some families specifically visit for the AWE Learning stations and subsequently engage with additional library services.

2. Digital and Traditional Literacy Can Complement One Another

Interactive educational technology does not have to compete with books. Wadena has seen visits centered around its learning stations lead to library card applications and material checkouts.

3. Family Engagement Starts With Reasons to Visit

Storytimes, collections, community events, reading programs, and interactive learning can all serve as entry points. Offering multiple ways to engage allows families to build a library experience around their own interests and needs.

4. Staff Capacity Matters

For smaller libraries in particular, the value of a resource must be weighed against the time required to manage it. Wadena identifies minimal staff upkeep as an important benefit of its stations.

5. Community Funding Can Expand What Is Possible

Wadena funded its two stations through grants and community donations rather than its city budget, providing an example of how libraries can look beyond operating funds when introducing new educational resources.

6. Successful Resources Create Demand for Growth

Wadena began with one station, added a second in response to popularity, and hopes to add additional stations as space allows.

“We see these stations as a foundation to build on, not a finished project — as our space allows, we’d love to add more.”
— Renee Frethem, Branch Manager, Wadena City Library

Beyond the Screen

Wadena City Library’s experience demonstrates that the value of interactive early learning can extend beyond the time a child spends at a screen.

For Wadena, the AWE Learning stations have become heavily used resources, but their broader impact may be even more meaningful. They give children another way to learn and explore. They give families another reason to visit. And once those families arrive, they encounter books, programming, library cards, community connections, and the many other resources waiting for them.

That is where interactive learning can have its greatest impact.

The screen is not the destination. It is another doorway into everything the library has to offer.

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

Sources

Wadena City Library / Kitchigami Regional Library System; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wadena, Minnesota; Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce; BKV Group, Wadena City Library project; AWE Learning Company endorsement letter from Wadena City Library, August 2026.

Promoting Continuous Academic Improvement in Young Learners

AWE Learning’s Commitment to Addressing Illiteracy in Children Ages 2-12

Early childhood learning is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success (Heckman, 2006). Libraries play a critical role in this ecosystem not just as places to access books, but as community learning hubs that support literacy, school readiness, and lifelong learning.  

This white paper explores how structured, interactive digital learning tools can help address one of the most persistent challenges in education: early literacy gaps among children ages 2–12.  

AWE Learning has spent over 30 years developing solutions designed specifically for libraries, providing safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that help children build foundational skills through play.  

By combining research-backed approaches with accessible technology, libraries can expand equitable access to digital learning and support school readiness. These solutions also create meaningful opportunities for continuous academic growth. Ultimately, they strengthen communities by helping children build the skills needed for academic success, future employment, and lifelong learning. 

Why Early Learning Matters

Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are in a critical stage of development, where cognitive, social, and emotional growth intersect with foundational academic skills. During this time, early literacy plays a defining role in shaping future academic success.  

In the United States, literacy challenges remain a pressing concern. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only about one-third of fourth-grade students are reading at a proficient level, with many falling behind before they reach middle school. These challenges have been further compounded by pandemic-related learning loss, which has widened existing gaps.  

Early literacy struggles are often linked to long-term outcomes, including lower academic performance, reduced confidence in learning environments, and limited access to future educational and career opportunities.  

At the same time, the role of libraries is evolving. Today’s libraries are expected not only to provide access to books but also to support early learning, digital literacy, school readiness, and equitable access to educational resources. This shift presents both a challenge and a powerful opportunity for libraries to make a lasting impact on their communities.  

The Challenge: Supporting Learning in a Digital-First World

Today’s learners are digital natives, but not all digital experiences are created equally. While technology has the potential to enhance learning, libraries must navigate several challenges in delivering meaningful digital experiences.  

Many children still face access gaps, lacking reliable devices or high-quality educational content outside the library. At the same time, caregivers and educators are increasingly concerned about screen time, seeking options that provide real educational value rather than passive entertainment. Libraries are also being asked to expand programming and services without additional staffing, making scalability a key concern.  

Additionally, not all digital content is created with learning outcomes in mind. Many tools prioritize entertainment over skill development, making it difficult for libraries to confidently recommend or provide digital resources.  

To effectively support their communities, libraries need solutions that are safe, easy to manage, developmentally appropriate, aligned with learning goals, and designed for children’s independent use.  

The Opportunity: Digital Learning Done Right

When designed thoughtfully, digital learning tools can play a powerful role in supporting early education. They can improve literacy and language development, increase engagement and time spent learning, and provide consistent opportunities for skill-building beyond traditional programming hours.  

Research shows that interactive, guided digital experiences are significantly more effective than passive screen time, especially for early learners (Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2015). These types of experiences encourage active participation, reinforce learning concepts, and support deeper learning.  

This is where libraries can play a unique role, providing “productive screen time” in a trusted, structured environment where children can safely explore, learn, and grow.  

AWE Learning: Supporting Libraries and Communities

AWE Learning was built specifically to support libraries in delivering early learning experiences at a scale through productive screen time. Today, over 49% of U.S. public libraries use AWE Learning, with more than 38,000 workstations deployed nationwide. Through these workstations, millions of children have engaged with AWE’s educational content, helping libraries extend their impact far beyond traditional programming.  

AWE workstations are designed to create meaningful, safe, and engaging self-directed learning experiences for children. They expand equitable access to literacy, STEM, and problem-solving skills while providing healthy, productive screen time through structured, interactive learning. At the same time, they allow libraries to extend programming without requiring additional staff time and offer valuable usage insights that support programming and collection decisions.  

What Makes AWE Different

Unlike open internet computers or entertainment-based software, AWE is intentionally designed to support continuous academic improvement among young learners. Its closed, safe environment—free from internet access, ads, and external distractions—ensures that children remain focused on learning rather than passive consumption.  

With over 250 STREAM-aligned learning modules, AWE content is structured to build skills progressively, helping children strengthen literacy, math, and critical thinking over time. This approach supports consistent skill development, reinforcing what children learn through repeated engagement.  

Bilingual learning options further expand access, allowing libraries to better serve diverse communities and support language development for multilingual learners. Because the platform is designed for independent use, children can engage in self-paced learning experiences that build confidence and reinforce foundational skills.  

Together, these features enable libraries to provide high-quality, repeatable learning experiences that directly contribute to closing literacy gaps and supporting continuous academic growth.  

Innovation: Platinum Version 4

AWE Learning’s latest platform, Platinum Version 4, builds this foundation with enhanced performance, faster load times, and a redesigned interface tailored for early learners. Expanded content across literacy, STEM, and critical thinking areas ensures that children have access to a wide range of developmentally appropriate learning experiences.  

For children, these updates support independent learning by allowing them to explore content at their own pace, without requiring constant staff assistance. Skill progression is built into the experience, helping young learners strengthen literacy, STEM, and problem-solving abilities over time.  

For library staff, improved reporting tools and a streamlined customer portal enable more effective, data-informed decision-making. Libraries can track usage trends, identify which content areas are most impactful, and make informed decisions about programming, resource allocation, and future investments.  

Impact: Libraries as Learning Hubs

Libraries are uniquely positioned to become “third learning spaces,” bridging the gap between school and home. With the right tools in place, they can:

• Support school readiness before kindergarten and reinforce learning beyond the classroom.
• Provide equitable access to high-quality educational resources for all children.
• Engage both children and caregivers in meaningful, skill-building experiences.
• Extend learning opportunities without increasing staff workload.

AWE Learning enables libraries to deliver on this role in a way that is scalable, sustainable, and deeply impactful for the communities they serve.  

Addressing early literacy gaps requires more than access; it requires intentional, engaging, and equitable learning experiences.  

Libraries are already trusted community institutions. With the addition of structured digital learning tools, they can expand their role even further—supporting children not just as readers, but as confident, capable learners.  

AWE Learning is proud to support this mission by helping libraries provide safe, meaningful learning environments, equitable access to digital resources, and opportunities for continuous academic growth.  

Together, we can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, explore, and succeed. 

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

Heckman, J. J. (2006). Skill formation and the economics of investing in disadvantaged children. Science. 

Hirsh-Pasek, K., et al. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps. Psychological Science in the Public Interest.  

UNESCO. (2017). More than one-half of children and adolescents are not learning worldwide.  

World Bank. (2022). The State of Global Learning Poverty. 

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.
• STREAM-focused content (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math).
• 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

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

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.

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

The Modern Librarian:
Passion Meets Purpose

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:

• Foster early literacy and lifelong learning.
• Design inclusive, culturally responsive programming.
• Collaborate with educators, caregivers, and families.
• Advocate for access to diverse materials and ideas

Yet, the emotional labor and operational demands of the profession continue to stretch these dedicated professionals thin.

Pain Points in 2025

The landscape of library services has shifted dramatically. Key challenges include:

• Funding Cuts: Reduced budgets limit programming, staffing, and technology upgrades.
• Censorship Pressures: Increasing scrutiny threatens access to inclusive content.
• Digital Demands: Constant adaptation to new tools and platforms is required.
• Burnout: Emotional labor and rising expectations contribute to fatigue.
• Hybrid Spaces: Balancing physical and digital environments strains resources. 

AWE Learning: Guiding Discovery

AWE Learning’s Early Literacy Workstations are designed to alleviate these burdens. Our platforms offer:

• Safe, structured environments for exploration.
• Flexible content aligned with STREAM and seasonal themes.
• Tools that empower librarians to focus on their mission.

Accessible and Developmentally Appropriate Content

Our content supports a wide range of learning styles:

Healthy Screen Time with Built-In Boundaries

AWE Learning promotes responsible digital engagement through:

• Session time limits to encourage healthy habits.
• Thematic content organization for seamless programming integration.
• Personalized Education Plans (PEPs) tailored by age, subject, and language.

Libraries as Launchpads for Citizenship

Libraries are foundational to civic development. Our platforms nurture:

• Digital responsibility in safe environments.
• Empathy and collaboration through shared experiences.
• Confidence and independence through self-guided learning.

AWE Learning: A Trusted Partner

We help librarians thrive in challenging times:

• Save time with ready-to-use programming.
• Scale impact with inclusive, multi-style content.
• Stay supported with ongoing technical and user assistance.
• Make data-driven decisions with real usage reports.

Ready to Empower Your Library?

Let AWE Learning help transform your library into a hub of discovery, safety, and joy for your youngest patrons.

• Stay supported with ongoing technical and user assistance.
• Make data-driven decisions with real usage reports.

Our promise is simple: Inspiring Discovery. Preparing Lives.®

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

Educational Screen Time

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

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

How AWE Learning Promotes
Diversity and Accessibility

Multilingual Content

• Support for Non-English Speakers: AWE Learning offers content in multiple languages, including Spanish and French. This allows children from diverse linguistic backgrounds to access educational content in their native language, ensuring equitable learning opportunities.
• Language-Specific Tools: The workstations often include bilingual literacy tools that support both English and native-language learners, fostering dual-language development.

Culturally Responsive Content:

• Representation in Games and Stories: AWE Learning includes content that reflects various cultures, races, and backgrounds. Games and stories often feature diverse characters and environments, helping children see themselves reflected in the content they engage with and promoting a sense of belonging.
• Inclusive Learning Themes: The curriculum promotes themes that teach empathy, acceptance, and social awareness, helping children understand and appreciate diversity from a young age. 

Accessibility Features:

• Adaptive Learning Tools: AWE Learning workstations include features like adjustable font sizes, closed captions, and screen readers to accommodate children with different learning needs and abilities. This ensures that children with disabilities can fully participate in the educational experience.
• Touchscreen Navigation: The use of large, easy-to-navigate touchscreens helps children with fine motor skill challenges, making the learning tools accessible to a broader range of learners.

Equitable Access to Resources:

• Free Use in Public Spaces: AWE Learning workstations are typically found in public libraries, community centers, and schools, providing free access to high-quality learning tools. This model ensures that children from low-income families or underserved communities have equal access to technology and educational content.
• No Internet Required: Since AWE Learning workstations function without internet access, they are accessible to communities with limited or no reliable internet, helping to bridge the digital divide.

Customizable Learning Pathways:

• Individualized Learning: The software allows for self-paced learning, so children with different learning speeds and styles can engage with the material in a way that suits them. This approach helps reduce educational inequalities by catering to diverse learning needs.
• Variety of Subject Areas: AWE Learning offers content across multiple subjects—math, reading, science, and art—ensuring that children with different interests and strengths can find engaging material.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL):

• Promoting Inclusivity through SEL: Many of the interactive lessons focus on social and emotional learning, encouraging children to understand emotions, develop empathy, and build relationships. These skills are crucial in fostering a learning environment that values diversity and inclusion.
• Collaboration and Teamwork Games: Multiple activities promote collaborative play, where children work together on projects, reinforcing the value of diverse perspectives and cooperative problem-solving.

Gender-Neutral Design:

• Inclusive Content Design: The games and learning programs are designed with gender-neutral elements, avoiding stereotypical color schemes or themes. This ensures that all children feel equally welcome and engaged with the content, regardless of gender identity.

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400 

Early Childhood Play-Based Discovery Learning Through Technology and Library Services

Early childhood education thrives on play-based discovery, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth. In today’s digital age, libraries and technology platforms play a pivotal role in extending these experiences beyond classrooms. This whitepaper explores how guided technology solutions—such as AWE Learning’s Early Literacy Workstations—empower educators and librarians to deliver developmentally appropriate and engaging learning opportunities for children ages 2–12.

Play-based learning is the cornerstone of early childhood development. It nurtures curiosity, builds foundational literacy and STEM skills, and promotes lifelong learning habits. However, integrating technology into these experiences requires intentionality. The challenge is balancing digital engagement with healthy screen habits while ensuring easy and safe access.

Libraries have emerged as critical hubs for discovery learning, bridging gaps for families and communities. By combining curated technology resources with professional guidance, libraries can transform into launchpads for digital citizenship and school readiness. 

Educators and librarians face mounting challenges:

• Funding constraints limit access to high-quality technology and programming.
• Digital opportunity gaps persist, leaving some children without safe, structured digital experiences.
• Burnout and workload pressures make it difficult for librarians to curate personalized learning.
• Screen-time concerns demand solutions that prioritize healthy habits and developmental appropriateness.

Without strategic interventions, these challenges risk widening achievement gaps and limiting opportunities for early learners.

The solution lies in guided digital experiences that complement—not replace—traditional play. AWE Learning exemplifies this approach with its Early Literacy Station Platinum Version 4 solutions, offering:

• 250+ STREAM-aligned titles and thousands of preloaded activities.
• Personalized Education Plans (PEPs) for tailoring content by age, subject, or language. 
• Built-in time limits and child-safe browsing to promote healthy screen use. 
• Customizable content bundles for bilingual learners and broad developmental needs. 

These features enable librarians and educators to:

• Align technology with storytimes, seasonal programs, and curriculum goals. 
• Support multiple learning styles—visual, auditory, kinesthetic, logical, social, and solitary. 
• Foster digital responsibility and computational thinking from an early age.

Benefits & Use Cases:

• School Readiness: STREAM-aligned activities prepare children for academic success.
• Makerspaces: Play-based learning and makerspaces share a common philosophy: learning through doing.
• Community Engagement: Libraries become safe, vibrant spaces for families to explore technology together.
• Healthy Digital Habits: Built-in boundaries ensure balanced screen time.

How Makerspaces and AWE Learning Complement STREAM Education:

• Activities like Sid the Science Kid: States of Water allow students to experiment with concepts like matter and states in a playful way.
• Coding games such as Fox Factory introduce programming logic through storytelling.
• Interactive storybooks like Arthur’s Birthday build literacy while encouraging collaboration. 
• Contraption Maker simulates engineering design challenges, reinforcing cause-and-effect reasoning. 
• Creative titles like Tim the Fox—Mosaic and Drawing Animals let students design and express ideas visually.
• Games like Math Doodles and Math Speed Racing Multiplication integrate math practice into fun, real-world scenarios.

Example 1: Contraption Maker (Ages 2–12) 

• Description: Students build chain reactions and contraptions using virtual tools.
• Play-Based Connection: Encourages experimentation, collaboration, and iterative design.
• Makerspace Integration:
  • Physical: Students use blocks and ramps to prototype a ball-moving machine.
  • Digital: They replicate and enhance their design in Contraption Maker. 
• Learning Outcomes: Engineering principles, problem-solving, logical reasoning.

Example 2: Fox Factory (Ages 7–11) 

• Description: Students learn coding by helping Fox rebuild after a storm.
• Play-Based Connection: Combines storytelling with coding challenges.
• Makerspace Integration:
  • Physical: Students storyboard Fox’s journey using craft materials.
  • Digital: They code solutions in Fox Factory to rebuild Fox’s world.  
• Learning Outcomes: Computational thinking, creativity, persistence.

Example 3: Tim the Fox – Mosaic (Ages 4–8) 

• Description: Students create mosaics by arranging colorful tiles.
• Play-Based Connection: Artistic expression through patternmaking.
• Makerspace Integration:
  • Physical: Students design mosaics with real tiles or paper squares.
  • Digital: They recreate or expand their designs in Tim the Fox—Mosaic.  
• Learning Outcomes: Spatial reasoning, color theory, fine motor skills.

Example 4: Math Doodles (Ages 5–12) 

• Description: Students explore math concepts through creative puzzles.
• Play-Based Connection: Turns math into a visual, interactive experience.
• Makerspace Integration:
  • Physical: Students solve math puzzles using manipulatives like counters or blocks.
  • Digital: They tackle challenges in Math Doodles to reinforce concepts.  
• Learning Outcomes: Mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, creativity.

Benefits of Combining Makerspaces with AWE Learning:

• Engagement: Digital games paired with hands-on activities keep students motivated.
• Differentiation: Supports varied learning styles—visual, tactile, and auditory.
• STREAM Alignment: Integrates multiple disciplines in authentic, playful contexts.  
• Collaboration: Encourages teamwork and communication in both physical and digital spaces.

By combining these digital experiences with physical makerspace activities (e.g., building prototypes, creating art), educators create a holistic STREAM learning environment.

Implementation and Evaluation Strategies:

• Professional Development: Train librarians and educators on digital well-being and guided discovery. 
• Policy Alignment: Adopt screen-time guidelines that emphasize active engagement and serve-and-return interactions. 
• Funding Partnerships: Leverage grants and community sponsorships to sustain technology investments.  
• Data-Driven Decisions: Use AWE’s consolidated usage statistics to demonstrate ROI and inform programming.

Early childhood education must embrace technology thoughtfully preserving the essence of play while preparing children for a digital future. Libraries, supported by solutions like AWE Learning, can lead this transformation by offering safe and engaging discovery experiences. Together, we can inspire curiosity, foster digital citizenship, and build a foundation for lifelong learning. 

Enjoy our blog? Subscribe here to receive our quarterly newsletter featuring a new blog directly in your inbox!

Learn more about AWE Learning with your local representative to explore your options. 
 
info@awelearning.com      (610) 833-6400