Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY —Every parent dreads the “summer slide”, where your children's learning loss quietly adds up, and it turns into a battle of learning versus play. Technology is usually what we blame for replacing books, creativity and educational play. Sarah Kimmell said the right technology can be the right tool in this fight. Kimmell is the bright mind behind "Family Tech Zone." She has three science, technology, engineering and math options that parents can get behind this summer. As a parent and a technology expert, Kimmel said the content needs to be educational, and it needs to be technology that is not going to distract a child.
Scribbi
Like a Kindle or an Electronic Ink tablet, the Scribbi is created for kids. Kimmell said a child won't get distracted on the Scribbi versus on a tablet. The Scribbi will help practice writing skills. She also said there is no blue light, so it won't be damaging for vision in children.
Circuit Whiz Box
The Circuit Whiz Box is not a subscription, and it will keep you busy the whole summer. Each level in the box does not you step-by-step instructions. The instructions simple tell the user, "make the light glow", giving kids a chance to figure it out on their own. This will keep your child engaged for a long amount of time. Kimmell said you are really learning when you build these boxes.
Google Lens
Along with the Google Lens app, Kimmell suggested the Merlin Bird ID app. This app helps identify birds using sound and visuals. "It's like collecting Pokemon, but like, real birds," Kimmell said, Like the Merlin Bird ID app, Google Lens will identify objects like plants, with users being able to track them like a journal. ___
Find more tips from Sarah at familytechzone.com.
