Vroom

It's no secret that the first five years of a child's life are the most meaningful when if comes to brain development. Daily Vroom activities help parents and caregivers nurture their children’s growing minds during these earliest years. Daily Vroomturns everyday moments into brain building moments! Vroom activities differ from other app based learning activities because it takes the focus off the device and places it on the world around them.

Daily Vroom is available in English and Spanish.

Vroom allows you to create a daily, personalized activity for you and your child. Each tip is paired with a science-based Brainy Background explaining how the activity supports your child’s brain development. Whether it’s counting cars at the bus stop, learning about textures at the grocery store, or talking about shapes during snacktime, Daily Vroom offers imaginative ways to make the most of your family’s everyday routines.

Vroom offers activities from more than 16 categories to encourage brain building interactions no matter where you are or what you’re doing, and you can receive age appropriate tips for multiple children. It is also available in English and Spanish

• Name of App: Vroom
• Audience: Children and their caregivers
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: Encourages brain development in everyday, routine activities
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS
• Cost (at time of review):  Free

Stitcher - Your place for podcasts

Podcasts, audio files available on the internet that can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device, are becoming extremely popular.  According to the website Statista, in 2015 17% of the population had listened to a podcast and from January to March 2016, that figure had jumped to 21%. http://www.statista.com/statistics/270365/audio-podcast-consumption-in-the-us/

If you are an avid podcast listener or would like to try one out, why not try the Stitcher app.  Stitcher allows the user access 40,000+ podcasts and radio shows via their mobile devices.  Topics range from News and Politics, Education, Games and Hobbies, Science and Medicine, Entertainment, Technology and others.  You mark your favorite podcasts for easy access.  Stitcher will also give you suggestions on podcasts you might like to try.

• Name of App: Stitcher
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: This app allows user to listen to podcasts that might be of interest to them
• What platform we used to recommend the app: Android
• Cost (at time of review):  Free

My Library Rewards: Sign Up, Earn Points, and Get Rewarded

Get rewarded for using the library! The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library has recently added a new program that will reward you for checking out materials. How does it work? 

1. Visit any KHCPL location. 
2. Check out some items and earn points for the items you check out. 
3. Sign up for My Library Rewards at MyLibraryRewards.com. 

Once you fill out the registration it will add your points from your recent visit and you are ready to start earning some rewards. Scroll through the many different offers available to you on the website, or download the app to take My Library Rewards with you on the go. With the app you can review your points, scroll through offers, and even redeem your points.  

My Library Rewards

• Name of App: My Library Rewards
• Audience: Adult and Teen
• Platform: iOS, Android
• What the App Does and why we recommend it: The app will allow you to track the points you earn by checking out items from the library and will help you redeem those points for discounts at local businesses.
• What platform we used to recommend the app: iOS 
• Cost (at time of review): Free