 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Toy Story Showtime!
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: $4.99
- Category: Education
Common Sense Media says
Kids can learn word definitions via an entertaining tale.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Toy Story Showtime! tells a cute story and teaches kids the definitions of new vocabulary words through the story and also provides guided activities at the end of the story. The storyline surrounds Buzz Lightyear as he sets out to find a way to perform and impress Jessie the Cowgirl at a talent show. A lot of the vocabulary and story text relates to performing or body movements ("leap, bow, march"), and one of the activities at the end of the story encourages kids to choose the right words on the screen to make Buzz do a dance they create for him. A game to fill in the blank with a letter for some of the words that are learned during the story also helps reinforce the lesson. The app also gives ideas here for parents to continue the lessons away from the app.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn new words and definitions by listening to or reading the Toy Story Showtime! interactive book. They hear the words as part of the cute story in which Buzz Lightyear sets out to find a way to perform and impress Jessie the Cowgirl at a talent show. Many of the words are about performing and body movements kids can relate to. Kids boost their vocab and do related fun activities, but definitions can run long.
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communicationlistening, presenting
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skillsusing and applying technology
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
Toy Story Showtime! features a main storybook to listen to or read, plus other "special features taps" that allow kids to interact with the characters on the pages. Kids can make the Toy Story cast of characters clap, dance, and more, then play games with them that reinforce the words they learned during the story. The app also prompts young kids who may not know all of their mobile device's features to "try tilting" or "try shaking" it to learn new ways to interact with the device.
Is it any good?
The characters and story on TOY STORY SHOWTIME! are adorable, and the narrator's voice is engaging, although some of the word definitions seem a bit long and detailed to hold the attention of kids in the suggested 4 to 6 age range throughout the entire story. So it's a good thing that there are other "special features taps" that allow kids to interact with the characters on the pages. Kids can make the Toy Story cast of characters clap, dance, and more, then play games with them that reinforce the words they learned during the story after the story is completed. A lot of thought about educational content was clearly put into the creation of this app, and this storybook app is very worthy of your child's time and attention.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn new words and definitions by listening to or reading the Toy Story Showtime! interactive book. They hear the words as part of the cute story in which Buzz Lightyear sets out to find a way to perform and impress Jessie the Cowgirl at a talent show. Many of the words are about performing and body movements kids can relate to. Kids boost their vocab and do related fun activities, but definitions can run long.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: vocabulary
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication: listening, presenting
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills: using and applying technology
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
Much of the vocabulary kids learn in Toy Story Showtime! is relevant to real-life body movements they know, such as leap, bow, and march. One activity encourages kids to choose the right words on the screen to make Buzz do a dance that they create, giving kids some influence on the experience. Ideas for parents about how to continue and extend lessons beyond the app are there too.
How parents can help
- Try one of the many excellent "do together" learning lessons and activities on the info page of the book.
- Encourage kids to use the vocabulary words they've learned in the Toy Story app. Use the words yourself and point out that they're from the app.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | $4.99 |
| Size: | 115.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Disney |
| Version: | 1.0 |
| Release date: | December 8, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 3.2 or later |
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