Archive for the ‘Mobile Devices’ Category

Macaroni & Cheese Chef, Boo-Boo Kisser, Monster Scarer, and Reading Teacher

Posted by allyson on March 27th, 2012

… are just some of the many roles parents play.

I remember when I first learned to read. I remember when the words to my very favorite children’s book, Clotilda,  started to becomes clearer and sounding them out started to become easier.

I think about my childhood often as my oldest daughter, who at three-and-a-half, is starting to remind me of myself at that age. She has learned to write the letters in her name and while she struggles with the ‘Y’ every time, when she finally does get it, the proud look on her face warms my heart. Her interest in books is getting more and more profound. She asks me every day if today is “library day” and points out the Library when we drive through town.

(c) Cass Just Curious Photography

Where do parents begin to teach their kids to read? I think it starts with building a love for books and stories. Town libraries offer free, weekly story-times, some for babies as young as 6-months. We’ve read books before bed nearly every single night since my kids were infants (I’m a bit of a stickler for a routine). If there was ever a night that they didn’t want to read a book (rare!), my oldest would ask us to tell her a story. If we started with anything other than, ‘Once upon a time’ and ended with anything other than ‘Happily Ever After’, we were instantly corrected.


Where does new technology come in? An app is a great way to learn to read. And it’s a guilt-free excuse to let the kids use the iPad! When learning to read books, kids are dependent upon their index finger pointing to words and saying them aloud simultaneously. In most apps, this is done automatically with words highlighting or being underlined while spoken by a narrator. There are also options to turn the narration off so that your child can read alone. Other ways to introduce a love for words and letters is stenciling. Tracing is not only important for recognition, but also for muscle-memory and small-motor control.

Using the iPad as a learning tool not only allows parents to continue the use of a device that has gained popularity with their kids, but it also helps children gain necessary life skills. Reading along with the ponies from My Little Pony or the trucks like Chuck from Chuck & Friends, and reading classic books like Velveteen Rabbit and Thumbelina – these are brands that win with kids and story lines that contain popular, important messages.

Apps today make it easy to build a love of words and stories with your kids. To visit the full library of Ruckus Media Apps, please click here.

An Award for My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day

Posted by ruckusholly on March 8th, 2012

Mom's Choice Award

My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day continues to surprise and amaze us.

Last month we were thrilled to learn that it achieved a huge milestone when it reached one million user sessions. That means that one million of you, or your child, have opened up the My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day app, produced with our partner, Hasbro.

And now we are proud to announce that our very own My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day has won a Gold Mom’s Choice Award® for Best In Family-Friendly Products (or Services)!  It joins three of our other apps in receiving this prestigious award – Chuck & Friends: Friend for the Long Haul, A Present for Milo and Spot the Dot.

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is an awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.  Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials forchildren and families.  The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

We knew that we had a terrific app with My Little Pony, but it’s nice to know that everyone else agrees. Available for any I.O.S device, a child can learn and play at the same time while enjoying a brand they know and love.  They can tap and tilt the screen in fun activities that move the action forward—learning new words, playing activities and watching videos.  The app is an engaging way to learn to read, packed full with rich, educational entertainment for beginning readers.

So, head over to the iTunes store to pick up a copy of our award-winning My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day and wish everyone included in its creation and development a heart felt congratulations in the comments below.

Calling All Parents, Teachers, Librarians and more: Reading Tips Wanted

Posted by ruckusholly on February 27th, 2012

Teacher and Parent TipsCalling all parents, childcare providers, teachers, reading specialists and literacy professionals including librarians!

We at Ruckus Media Group, creator of award-winning interactive storybooks for children, are looking for reading tips to stimulate children’s love of reading, both inside and outside the classroom. Who better to write those tips than you, the expert? We know that you work with children day in and day out to find that “just-right” way for each child to develop a love of reading, whether they are your own children or your students.

Please email your creative reading tip and photograph to TeacherTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a specialist) or ParentTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a parent). If your tip is chosen, we’ll credit the submission with your name and image, and post a link directly to your site or school. And, you’ll also be eligible to receive a $10 iTunes gift card to select your choice of stories from our library.

Here are the rules, terms and conditions (make sure you read the fine print before entering):

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
  • Photos (high-resolution jpegs at a maximum size of 100 KB) must accompany all submissions, and should include your name, title, school (if applicable), city and state. If you would like us to link to your blog or website, please send us your URL.
  • Reading tip minimum word count: 25 words.
  • Only authors of tips selected by Ruckus Media Group will receive a $10 iTunes card.
  • All submitted reading tips will be reviewed by an education adviser appointed by Ruckus Media Group.
  • If selected, you must fill out a consent form (to be provided by Ruckus Media Group) certifying that you are the individual in the photos, that you are the individual identified by the submitted name and contact information, that all submitted information is true and accurate and that you own the copyright interest in all submitted materials and have the right to consent to Ruckus Media’s Group’s use of such materials.  You also agree to indemnify RMG against any and all liability to third-parties arising from RMG’s use of your submission as described below.
  • You grant Ruckus Media Group permission to use the submitted: tip, photo, name, school name and location information for any and all promotional purposes related to Ruckus Media Group.
  • Ruckus Media Group reserves the right to end this campaign at any time and to refuse acceptance of further submissions without notice.

 

We can’t wait to work together to continue our mission to create experiences through mobile devices that educate children and stimulate literacy.

Start sending your tips (you can send as many as you like) today and let’s motivate the world to read!

Toy Fair 2012 Tells Us That The Digital Toy Age Has Arrived

Posted by ruckusholly on February 21st, 2012

Toy Fair logo

Last year, I wrote right here on this blog about Toy Fair 2011 and its focus on traditional toys. Yet it was clear that physical games were inching closer and closer to the world of smartphone and tablet apps. More and more companies were launching iPads for kids last year, including Fisher Price, VTech and LeapFrog. Fisher Price’s iPad stood out, and it was clear not only how toy manufacturers were noticing the digital direction in playing and storytelling but also how parents were embracing their children’s growing demands for gadgets, particularly the iPad. In last year’s post, I wrote, “While the show did feature innovative products and technologies, very few companies were represented, including our competitors. I hope that the expo expands next year to better exemplify the world of apps for children.”

Well, guess what? One year later, Toy Fair 2012 looked very different. Tech was popping out all over the place, and it was clear that major brands are taking strides to develop their traditional branded products and games around Apple products. Not only were a few digital companies present, such as Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds and Cut the Rope, but other brands were obviously entering the digital mix as well. Our partner Hasbro now makes traditional games like Monopoly and The Game of Life that connect to iOS devices for digital play through apps available in the Apple Store. There’s also a new version of Lazer Tag, by NERF, where players insert their iOS device into a blaster and engage in virtual or real battles.

Animal Planet and Monsterology NUKO’s brand are joining trading cards with digital magic on the iPad with cards that tap into action using any iOS device. MushABellies’ new 3D augmented-reality game blends the game world and the real world using a smartphone device and exclusive, patented augmented reality from Gravity Jack. And WowWee introduced its App Gear line, extending the idea of connecting apps with traditional toys to create something called “amplified reality.”

So, the question is, how much more advanced will Toy Fair be in 2013? Your guess is as good as mine, but considering the visible changes that we witnessed this year, we’re very excited to see what transpires between now and then.

Inspiring Children Through Technology at the Darien Library

Posted by ruckusholly on February 10th, 2012

Here at Ruckus Media, storytelling is our priority.  Our mission is to create experiences through mobile devices that entertain toddlers to teens from their fingers to their minds. We are always looking for partners who feel the same way.  Libraries fall into that category, and we are constantly inspired by the strides being made by their efforts in the digital space.  This past October, we joined forces with School Library Journal for a Twitter Party about this very subject.  You can check out the party’s wrap-up.

The Darien Library is one such partner who feels the same way about digital storytelling as we do.  I have read about the tech initiatives that they have created to inspire digital children but wanted to experience them firsthand, so yesterday I headed over to meet with some of the folk behind the scenes to hear more.

The staff agrees that interactive storybooks and apps should not replace traditional books but that both can co-exist and support one another.  Their efforts to teach and inspire children about literacy via digital story-telling are truly inspiring and I want to share some of their educational methods here:

Darien LibraryFirst, I was introduced to an interactive e-book area.  Right in the middle of the children’s section, there’s an iPad mounted on a wall. It’s pre-loaded with an “App of the Day” for young children to experience. Children were gathered around the iPad, exploring its every touch and feel, and watching words and images slide across the screen.  It’s a great way to introduce children to the world of iPads and digital storytelling.

Then I was introduced to their Early Literacy iPad Kits.  Their six available kits to check out include an iPad 2 in a tote bag, pre-loaded with librarian-selected apps and eBooks designed to stimulate early literacy skills. The kits also include informationdarien library for grown-ups on using technology with young children, research on appropriate amounts of screentime, evaluating apps for children, and a list of the librarian-selected apps.

The kits may be borrowed for one week by parents of children ages 2 to 5.  I think these are brilliant and fantastic opportunities for parents and children to explore new technologies and digital storytelling.

They also have a Microsoft surface table, a table top, pre-loaded iPad with specialized apps like Chess.

The library really focuses on children as readers and creators and they offer classes to teach them more about the digital space (the levels go from Little Clicklets, Techplorers and i-Kids).  They realize that there is a current generation of digital kids and they are making every effort to provide the tools they need to be successful.

Lastly, they have just launched an initiative called “Appy Hour” which will give adults a chance to find out how to stay on top of the best apps.  Parents will be able to find out how to find the best apps for kids, for example.

What are your libraries doing to advance children’s technical skills and introduce the world of e-book and apps?  We’d love to hear in the comments below.

Inspiring Kids and Families to Connect with Animals and the Natural World

Posted by ruckusholly on January 17th, 2012

It’s another exciting day here at Ruckus Media.  We told you that we had a lot in store for 2012 and today we want to tell you about our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.  Together, we are launching a multi-year licensing deal to create digital storybooks that will inspire kids and families to connect with animals and the natural world. The stories will be based on SeaWorld’s animals, attractions and education and conservation efforts.

With this partnership, we’re growing our list of brands and favorite characters — adding to Hasbro and Crayola — but branching into a subject that kids and families love — science, nature, the environment.

We are also continuing to expand our emphasis on Social Good, following up our campaign with St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Reflecting SeaWorld’s commitment to conservation, a portion of all the proceeds from the digital interactive books will be donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The Fund is a non-profit charitable foundation that supports wildlife research, habitat protection, animal rescue and conservation education around the world.

The first three books in the SeaWorld series will launch this spring, including three interactive storybooks for kids ages 3 to 8 thatSeaWorld appeal to emerging, beginning and independent readers. The interactive storybooks will connect kids with SeaWorld’s killer whales, penguins and sharks and will be available at the App store for Apple mobile devices. New children’s storybook apps will be released throughout the year.

For more information about our partnership with SeaWorld, read the press release that went out earlier.

Day #10 of Holiday Free Family Fun with Jenn Jacura

Posted by ruckusholly on December 22nd, 2011

Advent CalendarWe are continuing 12 Days of Holiday Free Family Fun with our friends at ZiggityZoom.  Our tenth guest blogger is Jenn Jacura who  shares her over-opinionated view and tidbits about living with a special needs daughter at Princess Prose.  She leads a pampered, over-indulged life with her geek husband and is fairly certain that the world revolves around her.  You can also find her on Twitter at @PrincessJenn and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/theprincessprose.

When asked how she keeps her special needs child busy during the holidays, Jenn said:

Over the years we’ve created our own Christmas traditions to suit raising a special needs child. This means understanding that many things that are holiday related can simply be too overwhelming for our daughter (taking her to a mall during the month of December?  Ha!  Not a chance).  It also means learning to go with the flow, and leave behind some of the ‘holiday rules’.

We’ve incorporated an advent calendar to help manage the expectations around Christmas.  And part of the advent calendar is breaking that major Christmas rule “Don’t open presents before Christmas day!”.  I can hear you all gasping in shock.  Yes, it’s true.  We allow our daughter to open her presents early and throughout the month of December.  Once or twice a week, her calendar will hold a special card that allows her to open one gift that day.

I think it’s a great practice, that doesn’t have to be reserved for special needs kids, though.  Allowing a child to open one present a week allows them to spend days enjoying it and playing with it before they move on to the next one.  And then on Christmas morning our daughter still gets to enjoy opening her stocking and presents from Santa.

I encourage all parents to take a look at what part of their Christmas routine is stressing them (or their kids) out, and CHANGE it!  I promise that Santa won’t leave you a lump of coal in your stocking if you do.

Visit ZiggityZoom.com for today’s 10th Day of Christmas Free Family Fun Printable Snowflake WORD Worksheet and to win a FREE Ruckus app!ziggity zoom

 

Free Classic Story App to Kick Off Your Holiday Season

Posted by ruckusholly on December 16th, 2011

Velveteen RabbitIt is our pleasure to announce that The Velveteen Rabbit, as told by Meryl Streep, our interactive storybook application produced with our friends at Rabbit Ears, is now available FREE of charge via the App store (regularly $3.99) until Christmas Day, December 25th, 2011.  It’s our way of showing our gratitude for your support and to welcome in the new year by bringing this classic story into the life of your children.

While you’re downloading your free app, don’t forget that from December 26th through the end of the year, you can download all of our classic Read-Play-and-Record Along Rabbit Ears interactive storybooks apps at the special price of $1.99 and we will donate 100% of the net proceeds ($1.39) to dying children at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Saving lives has never been so easy and this much fun.

The apps that are on sale to benefit St. Jude include Pecos Bill told by Robin Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit  and The Night Before Christmas told by Meryl Streep, John Henry told by Denzel Washington, Tom Thumb told by John Cleese, Goldilocks told by Meg Ryan, Johnny Appleseed told by Garrison Keillor, The Steadfast Tin Soldier told by Jeremy Irons and Three Little Pigs told by Holly Hunter.  In addition we are releasing two NEW stories during this time period, as well, both launching today: Thumbelina told by Kelly McGillis and Paul Bunyan told by Jonathan Winters.

Happy holidays, friends.  Now get to iTunes and start downloading apps to stuff into your child’s stocking this Christmas or to give on one of the eight nights of Hanukkah!

 

Day #3 of Holiday Free Family Fun with Tawanna Browne Smith

Posted by ruckusholly on December 15th, 2011

the chatty momma

We are continuing 12 Days of Holiday Free Family Fun with our friends at ZiggityZoom.  Our third guest blogger is Tawanna Browne Smith, a traveling mom of 2 who stays on the go and blogs at MomsGuideToTravel.com.  She’s a travel writer for a couple of publications, including NileGuide.com and 10Best.com, in addition to writing for The ExaminerDC and her own blog Mom’s Guide to Travel. When she’s not writing, traveling, chauffeuring or completing triathlons, you can find her on Twitter as @worldtravelmom.

Here’s how she’s keeping the kids busy through the holidays:

This is our first Christmas where the kids are eating gluten free so we plan to do a lot of baking and experimenting with recipes for cookies and cupcakes. It’s a lot of fun to watch my youngest explore the texture of cookie dough and help my oldest apply his math skills to the kitchen. In between baking new creations, and preparing for New Year’s Eve travel, we’ll be planning for the onslaught of birthdays in our household. The festivities don’t end for us on January 1st – that’s just the beginning. We’ll be partying on the 3rd, the 6th, and the 12th as we celebrate the birthdays of my sons and my husband. For three weeks, our house will be the one that never sleeps.

Visit ZiggityZoom.com for today’s 3rd Day of Christmas Free Family Fun Printable- Christmas Bookmarks to share.  Just print, laminate and give!  Also head over to Ziggity Zoom’s blog  for today’s Ruckus app giveaway!

Day #1 of Holiday Free Family Fun with Carissa Rogers

Posted by ruckusholly on December 13th, 2011

 

Carissa RogersWe are kicking off the 12 Days of Holiday Free Family Fun with our first guest blogger, Carissa Rogers of GoodnCrazy.com.  Carissa is a GoodNCrazy mom of 3, she writes freelance and actually gets paid to play in the social media sandbox when not carpooling and pretending to be a photographer.  She’s also @CarissaRogers on Twitter and a lot of fun to follow.

When asked how she plans to keep her kids busy during the upcoming holidays, Carissa said:

This year starting back in mid-November we decided to start up a weekly ‘Secret Sweets Delivery’ service! Every Sunday night we bake up a different fun and festive treat, then plot two different neighbors or friends to deliver the goodies on Monday night, we doorbell ditch and then run.

 Each week, we have more and more fun strategizing how to be extra sneakier than the previous week. And EACH WEEK, they always find out we were the surprise attackers? We can’t figure out how they always know—but they do!

We just keep on delivering anyway, (and pretending we are super-sneaky anyway!).

Visit ZiggityZoom.com for today’s 1st Day of Holiday Free Family Fun Printable and Ruckus app giveaway! These All I Want for Christmas Christmas Gift Tags are super cute and original.

12 Days of Holiday Family Fun