This is a sponsored post
When I was a teacher, I always dreamed of working with cool tech companies who made great products for kids and these days it’s always a thrill to partner with amazing brands whose devices empower our kids to learn through engaging learning experiences that are just right for them. Square Panda is one of those companies.
When I first met Square Panda at CES and sat down for a demonstration of their learning playset, I was immediately in awe of how well they integrated technology, reading instruction, and learning games in a seamless way. Square Panda skillfully weaves a multitude of reading strategies in an age appropriate way to draw 2-8 year olds into each of their 10 games. Learning is fun, yet purposeful and age appropriate!
Over the weekend I hosted a Facebook chat for Square Panda that brought together fellow parents and educators to talk about teaching young kids to read through technology. We discussed favorite games, videos, shows, and apps that make early learning experiences fun and despite technology, magnetic letters, games, and songs were still favorite ways to teach kids early reading skills. See what our participants named as their favorite websites and apps here.
With so much new technology available to our kids, I wondered what today’s parents wished they had growing up. The responses ranged from “anything new and cutting edge” to one teacher-mom sharing the different kinds of technology in her classroom. Read about the tools she has in her room and how she’s funded her technology purchases for her students through this question on the Square Panda Facebook page!
There’s no doubt that technology has the power to teach but when combined with manipulatives like magnet letters, research shows that the digital plus the physical helps kids at a young age learn to read best! We talked more about why it’s important to incorporate things kids can touch and feel into early reading experiences during our Facebook chat and why Square Panda’s 45 smart letters that interact with their library of learning games are such an effective tool!
Effective tools and meaningful strategies are essential but it’s also important to understand what they know. I was constantly assessing and reassessing my first graders to figure out what instruction I needed to be providing to help them become more fluent readers but are today’s parents interested in knowing how their preschoolers are progressing in pre-reading skills?
Since Square Panda provides parents with data about what skills their child is learning, I asked how helpful this would be to families and how such information might be used. I loved our discussion about data! You can catch up on what we talked about on Facebook here and click on the image below to read a description of each of the Square Panda learning apps along with the reading skills being taught.
But as an educator, I know not all kids learn in the same way. What might work well for one child will require different strategies for another, especially when it comes to teaching reading!
The interactive nature of technology can help develop early learning skills but during our conversation, we talked about screen time. I asked if parents treat all screen time the same or if there’s a difference between passive screen time, when kids are watching videos, versus engaging with interactive content. Read what fellow parents, teachers, and Square Panda had to say about screen time!
Finally, I asked our parent and teacher participants what aspect of Square Panda most appealed to them and why their child might like it and everyone said something different! I wonder what new things our participants might love once they get their hands on a Square Panda learning playset!
I wonder what you will think of Square Panda? That’s why we’re giving two Square Panda away and offering free shipping with the code TSMREADING
Enter to win 1 of 2 Square Panda Learning Playsets!
Square Panda is providing two of their learning playsets for two very lucky Tech Savvy Mama readers! Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Please note that selected winner must reply with their U.S. mailing address within 24 hours. Thanks for entering and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I am being compensated for my involvement with Square Panda but all opinions are my own. Some images courtesy of Square Panda.
One thing I learned from the chat is all about the square panda it’s a AMAZING product for toddlers and up ! It teaches from colors shapes words and more there are so many fun interactive games to play as well !
I would loce to have a panda learning playset for my daughter who just turned 3 I think it will help prepare her for school and so help me help teach her the basics ! Such a awesome set !
Exciting!
This product os so amazing to helping them read and spell. I really love it.
I learned that we know, based on research, that kids at a young age learn to read best when they combine physical with digital.
I would love to have Square Panda for my home because I know both of my toddler-aged kids would enjoy it. They are always curious about letters and really just learning in general. I would love to give this a try!
With so many different options out there for people, it’s nice to see places aggregate favorites. I learned there are a lot of resources out there if you just look for them.
Also the app chart was very helpful.
Exposure to phonics and vocabulary on a consistent basis is critical for providing the foundational skills necessary for literacy and language development. Square Panda would fit that need.
Square Panda provides a multi sensory approach to teaching phonics that I can’t wait to use in my class and with my children!
I have two little boys, 2 and 3 year old, who love books. They would absolutely be amazed by this unique, multi sensory system!
The Facebook chat introduced me to the variety of fun and engaging activities that this system provides. So cool! My kids would love it!
The one thing i learned is that it will teach them how to learn games , reading instructions at an early age
so that they can learn and have while doing it
M6 girls wpuld enjoy this
My daughter has special needs (Down Syndrome) and this would be wonderful for her.
I learned that the combination of digital with manipulatives is a huge plus
My two toddlers would love to use it!
It can kelp them learn reading at a young age
I would love to have a Square Panda Learning Playset to help my son with learning.
I learned to start early
I’d love this to teach my daughter
I’d love to win it for the church nursery so the teachers can help the toddlers develop a love of reading.
I learned that it is great for toddlers to give them a head start in shapes, colors and even reading!! Would love this for my little boy
Facebook chat provided activities associated with its product. I love the tactile pieces that can be matched with words to help children learn to spell.
I have a 4 year old grandson who is just learning to spell and read. What a product for him to have! He is already a techno baby as it is.
I learned that kids can learn to read much easier with hands on materials!
Id love to win this set for our youngest! We are a family that LOVES to read! No cable in our house!
That toddlers can learn to read
I learned that square panda can help develop early learning skills!
I’d love this in our home because it really helps make learning fun!
I would love this to help my nephew get more comfortable with letters and reading.
I learned that this product helps to teach children how to read and spell faster than not using a product like this. It helps with muscle memory.
This would be great for our 3 year old. Hands on is the way to go
My son is Autistic, and this looks like something that would keep his attention and he would love
I learned just how great this would be for my grandsons!
I would love to have this at my home for my grandsons and for the kids I watch in my home daycare. This would be a great learning tool.
I learned that it teaches everything from colors shapes words and more and that there are so many fun interactive games to play as well !
my daughter would love it and it would be a fun way for her to learn
This is a great learning activity while having fun.
My daughter teaches special ed and this would be great for her students.