Over the past year, Detroit Public TV has been part of the Ready to Learn Transmedia Project, a national effort to engage low-income children, ages 2 to 8, and their families with educational digital media designed to improve math and literacy skills. In partnership with 6 community-based organizations, including: Southwest Counseling Solutions, Starfish Family Services, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, Detroit Leadership Academy, Wayne State University College of Education and Development Centers Inc., Detroit Public TV purchased and distributed more than 50 iPads to these partners to be used in their existing early learning and family literacy programming.
One way that many of our partners engaged families with the iPads and digital content was through parent-child playgroups. Facilitated playgroups are a great way to help parents and caregivers practice strategies to interact with their children to develop their social-emotional, communication, cognitive and motor skills.
Our partners found that incorporating the iPads into their playgroups enhanced positive interaction among the parents and their children and helped the families build an important 21st century skill – digital literacy.
Check out the video below which documents the impact of offering iPad playgroups. Interested in providing your own iPad playgroup? This iPad Playgroup Guide can help.
Other resources:
- NAEYC’s position statement on technology in early childhood programs.
- Joan Ganz Cooney Center provides reports on advancing children’s learning in a digital age.
