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In a perfect world, preschoolers would get less Paw Patrol and more Pythagoras in their daily screen-time diet. Couple that with the fact that the United States is a solid 35 out of 64 on standardized test math scores (eat it, Lithuania) and you have a good reason to start boosting your preschooler’s computational skills as early as possible. Good news: math apps for kids are here to help. Unlike workbooks or parental lectures, math apps can get a kid’s attention, and keep it. Sponsored by Pandora Gifts to Say Thanks for Always Being There Whether you can’t speak face...

There’s no escape from the family and I’m tearing my hair out (no root problem here, just baldness). Elaborate games of hide and seek are over in seconds, teenagers raise their eyes from their phones to look at you with pity, but there is a way to make it work. Homeschooling is a bust, but your children’s cinematic education starts now, with this smorgasbord of throwback films they’re going to love (or laugh at). Here’s our favourite throwback films… The Goonies (1985, PG) “Hey you, guuuuuuuuys” make use of your lockdown weight gain and do the truffle shuffle. The Goonies is without...

Play is as essential to kids as parent bonding and vitamin D. Kids not only want to play, they need to play to better understand the world. And this need drives parents to sports practices and afterschool programs in search of appropriate forums for play, and to toy stores in search of appropriate tools. Humans instinctively understand the need for play and cater to it. But ask someone, anyone, what play is and they’re unlikely to be able to define it. Ask an expert in childhood development for a clinical definition, and they’ll likely recite something disconcertingly broad and heavy...

Dan Ayoub Dan Ayoub, general manager of education at Microsoft, works on mixed reality, artificial intelligence, higher ed, and STEM education for the software giant. Prior to this, Dan spent 20 years in the gaming industry, most notably as studio head for the iconic title Halo. I reached out to Dan to ask about Microsoft Education’s response to coronavirus and to get his take on how to make virtual learning engaging. Here’s what he had to say. Rick: What has Microsoft done in response to the coronavirus to help schools and districts? Dan: I have been immensely proud of how...

Let me check my schedule….wait, I no longer have a schedule! NYC Ballet is streaming performances from April 21 through May 29th.  They will stream two ballets a week, along with other online programming which will include new podcast episodes and movement classes for all ages. View the schedule here. The Houseparty app is a free video chat social networking app.  Huff Post describes it as a Snapchat-Zoom hybrid.  It has become very popular during the pandemic because it allows up to 8 people to hang out virtually, or you can chat one on one with your buddies.  You can...