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If you peruse the internet, you’ll find thousands of programs and apps that claim to be educational. But do they really promote learning? Or is the word “educational” just thrown in to make them more appealing to parents and teachers? As you know, it depends. As parents, we need to be able to determine which applications are worth our children's precious time. A team of experts examined this question and published their findings in Psychological Science in the Public Interest. The findings, published here , present four pillars that lead to an educational outcome. These pillars are active involvement , engagement , meaningfulness , and social interaction . Active involvement means the child is required to actually think. Too many apps are largely brainless, addicting games. A truly educational app requires the child to actively work to understand a worthwhile concept or skill. Giving children the ability to make decisions as they engage with the app is a key component. According to the research, "Well-designed software affords children an appropriate level of control and agency depending on their age and experience, allowing them to proceed at their own pace and sustain their interest." Engagement refers to a child's ability to stay on task. The bells and whistles that make an app exciting should all be related to the educational goal. If these features are just for fun, they’ll distract the child from learning. Structured feedback and progress monitoring greatly assist with engagement. Researchers found that, "By carefully structuring the feedback as well as allowing progressive access to content (e.g., presenting more advanced content through a series of game levels or adaptively, based on user profiles), apps can focus children’s attention on the app experience and extend engagement for a long time." Meaningfulness refers to how children are required to process new information. Studies have shown that deeper learning takes place when children relate new knowledge to their current knowledge. Educational apps promote these kinds of connections. As stated in the article, "Learning meaningful information motivates children to stay engaged and on task. If children are given causally rich information about a novel object, they will stay engaged in a boring task that rewards them with this information." Finally, it’s important that the app facilitates social interaction . When children interact with others about what they’ve learned, their understanding of the material is reinforced. As the article states, "Active, engaged, meaningful, and socially interactive experiences support learning, and if these concepts are harnessed within apps, the potential benefit for learning in early childhood is significant." One Minute Reader is educational in every sense of the word. For example, the One Minute Reader program requires kids to be actively involved with the material. As readers work through the steps, they’re required to think critically and work hard toward a learning goal. They decide which story to read and are able to progress at their own pace in an appropriate level of material. The structured steps of the program keep them actively involved in each task. The program's high-interest content and motivating strategy keep kids engaged and on task. Built-in progress monitoring, consistent feedback, and the motivation to progress to more advanced content ensure that kids remain engaged as they work through the steps of the program. One Minute Reader also promotes meaningful thinking. Kids make reading predictions and answer comprehension questions that require them to connect their personal experience to what they’re learning. High-interest, nonfiction stories ensure they are consistently learning novel and exciting information. And finally, One Minute Reader fosters social interaction with parents and friends. Kids are inherently motivated by their own progress within the program. This motivation is enhanced when they celebrate their success with parents and friends. They are also often excited to share fun facts that they've learned from the stories. We’re hopeful that the Psychological Science in the Public Interest findings will help parents make informed choices about app purchases, and we’re pleased with how well our program aligns with the research.

Did you know that children who engage in literacy activities with their families tend to perform better on standardized tests? Research indicates that children with parents who participate in family literacy activities score about 10 points higher on standardized reading tests compared to those whose parents do not engage in such activities​ ( National Literacy Directory )​. This family involvement creates a supportive environment that fosters a love for learning and builds crucial skills that children carry with them into the classroom. So, how can you as a parent integrate literacy activities into your family routine? Here are some engaging and creative ideas to help you get started. 1. Storytime Rituals: Make storytime a cherished part of your daily routine. Whether it's a bedtime story or a morning read-aloud session, setting aside dedicated time for reading can make a big difference. Choose a variety of books to keep it exciting—mix in classic tales, adventure stories, and even nonfiction to expand your child's horizons. 2. Book Club: Start a family book club where everyone reads the same book and then gathers to discuss it. This not only encourages reading but also develops critical thinking and communication skills. You can choose books that cater to different age groups and have themed discussions, complete with snacks and fun activities related to the book. 3. The Sentence Game: Turn storytelling into an interactive activity. Create your own stories as a family, with each member taking turns to add a sentence. This can be a hilarious and creative way to spend time together, and it also encourages imagination and narrative skills. 4. Literacy Games: Incorporate literacy into playtime with fun games. Scrabble, Boggle, and word searches are great for building vocabulary and spelling skills. You can also create your own literacy-based games, like a scavenger hunt where children have to find items that start with a specific letter. 5. Blogging: Encourage your child to write regularly by starting a family journal or blog. Each member can contribute entries about their day, stories, or even creative pieces like poems and short stories. This practice not only enhances writing skills but also serves as a wonderful keepsake of family memories. 6. Library Visits: Make regular trips to the library a part of your routine. Libraries offer a treasure trove of resources, from books and audiobooks to interactive storytimes and educational programs. Let your child explore different genres and choose books that interest them to foster a love for reading. 7. Educational Apps and Programs: In today’s digital age, there are numerous apps and programs designed to boost literacy skills. Programs like One Minute Reader can be seamlessly integrated into your daily schedule, providing engaging reading activities that build fluency and comprehension in short, manageable sessions. Ask your child to share what they learned with the whole family. 8. Meal Preparation: Involve your child in writing grocery lists based on meal plans, reading recipes aloud, gathering ingredients, and following cooking steps. At the store, they can read the list and check off items, making shopping an educational scavenger hunt. 9. Pen Pal Program: Encourage your child to write letters to relatives or friends, acting as pen pals. This can improve their writing skills and build a deeper connection with family members. Receiving letters in return can also be a delightful experience that motivates them to keep writing. Incorporating literacy activities into your family’s daily life doesn’t have to be daunting. With a little creativity and commitment, you can create a nurturing environment that promotes learning and academic success. By making literacy a fun and integral part of your routine, you're not only helping your child excel in school but also fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning. So, grab a book, gather the family, and embark on this enriching journey together!