The Future of Screens for ALL Young ChildrenPresented at Screen Time: A Symposium on Media for Children and Youth 0 – 8 Chicago – 9/9/16 (hosted by IIT and TEC Center) http://www.developmentalmedia.org/screen-time-symposium/

Karen NemethKaren@languagecastle.com

Language Castle www.languagecastle.com

http://amzn.to/2cPiWO3

44 million children 0 – 9 years

11 million have languages other than English (DLLs)

3 million of these have language other than Spanish

25% of young children in the U.S. speak a language other

than English!

When you design apps only for English speakers you make something that is ineffective for ¼ of the population.

In your view, your work looks like this.

But, when you leave out 25% of the population, you might as well be making an old clunker with only 3 tires.

Language is about connections

Connections between neurons Connections between words and

meanings Connections between people Connections between words in

familiar language and words in new language.

Are you making those connections?

June 2, 2016

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/dll_policy_statement_final.pdf

According to the research, Children under age 6 who have language other than

English at home are dual language learners (DLLs) no matter how good their English may seem.

The bilingual brain is not developing in the same way as the monolingual brain

So, all DLLs or bilinguals under age 6 need support for their home language as well as English.

And all language development depends on meaningful connections!

This app offers options to hear the song in English, French, Spanish, German - and the user’s own voice, BUT the lyrics are only in English!

This app makes no meaningful connection between letters, words and images. That’s bad for any child, but impossible for DLLs.

Some apps try to avoid offending anyone by making characters that have no culture or language – BUT then children don’t see themselves in the story or game and connection is weaker.

Some designers try to make their apps accessible to other languages …BUT they are stuck with awkward graphics and video examples in English. Ask a Spanish speaker what’s wrong here!

Nemeth Language Learning App Rubric©http://www.languagecastle.com/2012/03/

designing-rubric-preschool-bilingual-apps/

What languages are available?– Are additional languages free?– Provided via in-app purchase?– Available by downloading purchasing

different versions?

Nemeth Language Learning App Rubric©http://www.languagecastle.com/2012/03/

designing-rubric-preschool-bilingual-apps/ What is the complexity of the language

used in the app?– One word at a time?– Simple vocabulary that is traditional for preschool

but adds little to the child’s ability to communicate or process knowledge (like names of animals, shapes, or colors)

– Sentences?– Stories/songs?– Complex activities that require thought & response?

In what language was the app written?– Was the app written in English, then translated?– Was the app developed in another language, then

translated to English?– Does the developer offer any documentation to

support the accuracy of the translation?– Is the whole app available in the two languages?

Or– Are the instructions in English, and some of the

activity is provided in another language?

Is there any way for the app to grow with the child?– Are there multiple levels?– Is there a way to track what the child has

learned or accomplished?

Does the app meet with Developmentally Appropriate Practice?– Does the app take a flashcard approach? Or– Does the app engage the child in activity

such as singing or solving puzzles or problems? Or

– Are there opportunities for children to choose, plan, or create?

Are the images and activities culturally appropriate and free of stereotypes?

Is there a way to record the child’s productive language in the context of the app?

The future of screens must include:

Proactive, UDL approach to design Changeable images and content Culturally rich and authentic

content Chopped up, multipurpose

development plans Truly responsiveness functions Language learning apps in full

content context, not isolated skills No more excuses.

• Karen Nemeth, Ed.M.• http://www.languagecastle.com• karen@languagecastle.com• Twitter KarenNemethEdM• Facebook page Karen Nemeth at

Language Castle LLC• Linked In group Early Childhood

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