CPB and PBS are collaborating on free educational apps that will be available at Head Start centers, member stations and other organizations in underserved communities, the two announced Thursday (March 8). The outreach is part of Ready to Learn, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Recent research shows that access to computers, smartphones and tablets is much less prevalent in low-income households, which limits children’s exposure to educational applications, the two said in the announcement. This program will work to increase access to educational mobile content for children from low-income families at community organizations equipped with mobile and tablet devices.
Now through September, PBS and CPB will work with Head Start centers and PBS stations to distribute app codes, which will be used to download the two apps onto devices that serve children in Head Start centers, Title I schools, and other community-based organizations in low-income areas.
The apps, “All Aboard the Dinosaur Train!” for iPad and “Dinosaur Train Camera Catch!” for iPhone, launched Thursday on the App Store. They’re based on the Dinosaur Train series produced for PBS Kids by the Jim Henson Company, and are designed to help children ages 3 to 5 build critical math skills.