How to Encourage Preschoolers to Read With an iPhone: 9 Steps

The iPhone can be used as one tool in your box of many reading tools to instill the love of reading and story comprehension in preschoolers.
Here is how to use this technology, not as a replacement of traditional books, but as a useful and fun tool that can be used anywhere you travel, and will have your preschooler asking for more to _read_!
STEPS

1

TAKE OUT YOUR IPHONE AND TURN IT ON.

2

TAP THE APP STORE ICON.

3

ENTER THE SEARCH TERM "CHILDREN\'S BOOK APP".

4

LOOK FOR AN APP THAT FEATURES AN AUDIO OPTION THAT CAN BE TURNED ON OR OFF. The audio is good to have when you're not available to read.
iStoryTime Kids Books and MeMetales (free) are good examples with such features.
Be sure to select an app that reads like a book and is not just an animated video. This isn't a mini-TV; this is about reading and the book experience.

5

ONCE YOUR APP HAS DOWNLOADED AND YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE PROGRAM IF NECESSARY, SHOW THE CHILD THE BOOK OPTIONS AS YOU READ 3-4 TITLES.
Let your child choose the book.
Choose the reading option without the narration audio.

6

DEMONSTRATE HOW TO TURN THE PAGES. Take your pointer finger and move it from right to left on the screen. Ask the preschooler to do it now.

7

ASK THE PRESCHOOLER TO HOLD THE IPHONE FOR YOU BOTH (AND ANY OTHER KIDS) TO SEE. Explain that they will get to "turn" the pages when you tap their shoulder to indicate that you've finished reading the page. Most preschoolers enjoy this type of control and participation. Of course, if they don't want to, just do it yourself.

8

READ. Tap the preschooler's shoulder as required, then read some more!

9

FINISHED.
WARNINGS
Research shows that using a computer or other electronic devices can be quite stimulating. Avoid the use of such devices right before bed as it can make it harder to go to sleep.
This should not used for too long a period or regularly. The safety of cell phones in relation to radiation is questionable and children should not handle them for long periods of time.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
An iPhone
Access to the App Store

1

-3 preschoolers ready to read a book with you