eReaders are the new gadget that is a must have! You might be aware of the Kindle, Sony and even some others, but ever get tired of reading from the same black and white, boring reader? Well, this reader ‘ain’t your parents reader. 

The New COOL-er comes in jewel tone beauty and resembles somewhat of a iPod Nano-ish flare!

What does this have to do with kids, ebooks and online reading? 

Everything!!

I dont know many kids that would like a simple white Kindle that looks like the one thier mom and dad have BUT, if they can get a pink one or one the color of their favorite football team, then it makes it personal. 

Just like the iPod brought kids to music, the ereader can bring kids to online books. So by providing them with the tools to get the wide range of online knowledge through ebooks they have more options, just like the iPod and Internet brought music and knowledge to life, ebooks bring reading to life, and that is magic!

When speaking recently a comment was made that:

“parents are just not ready to utilize ebooks for their children.”

I asked the commenter why and the response surprised me:

“Learning is not a game, and how can a child learn from games or electronic books?”

After taking a moment to consider the response I could give I asked myself the same question. The answer came swiftly and strongly. Today’s children are bombarded with electronica, video games, iPods, iPhones, Blackberry’s, Laptops, Wii (Nintendo) and PlayStation.

Those aren’t even the items that preschoolers are using; they are learning to read from Leapfrog’s “laptop”, Leapster Handheld game consoles and even playing Dora the Explorer and Diego games on Nintendo DS they can even “Build-a-Bear” on the Wii. 

So I ask you, is learning a game?

OF COURSE!

Ask any teacher how they teach the alphabet - with the alphabet song, or teach kindergartners how to remember numbers, a game, a song or a rhythm. Children learn math from games such as Count the Beans, Stack the Pigs and blocks. So why can’t they learn reading from a book online that is a animated version of the 2D book on their bookshelf?

Children learn through repitition: hearing, seeing, and interacting with information. The more we can visualize the information they are to take in, the more information they will want to take in. 

SO, start playing games and see what you learn.

Having trouble getting your kids off the couch, put down those video games and pick up those paper things with words? (books) You may want to pick up this book by Scott Langteau. Once a so called “gamer” and now he is telling kids that dangers of hanging out on the couch all day. You could even use the opportunity to introduce ebooks and online books. Show them ways to download books so they can listen to them on the way to school or while walking or riding their bikes.  The important thing is getting our kids to read, anyway we can. Kids are using iPods and phones anyway, why not put books on them and give them the chance to get excited by something that can be more beneficial than just the new top 10 on the charts. 

Read the article written by Sofa Boy author here: Scott Langteau

Due to the overwhelming response in favor of the Kindle, an e reading device, Amazon recently introduced the Kindle 2. They have kept the same benefits of the orignal Kindle and added some new features to wow you!

So what does this mean? Most producers of electronic devices create updates and new generations of products.   Apple for example introduces a newer version of their computers, iPods, and iPhones about every 8 months to a year.  Why? Because change is good. Better technology, more advanced features and better products enrich a company’s relationship to both the market and the customer.  Most of us have bought at least two iPods, and upgraded our phones every six months. Why? Becuase the market thrives on flux. Those who like the market and take part in it, i.e, consumers have a innate desire to experiment with novelty and value.

The great thing about the launch of the new Kindle is it proves the market for e-literature is growing. The fact that you can get a textbook when you want it for less than buying the book and download it in class because you forgot to get it a week ago, is remarkable. Buying ebooks opens a door to literature that is thought of as boring or old. If a 15 year old boy is asked to read War and Peace, he groans with dread.

But ask him to download the book and it becomes something he can understand. The use of technology encouages younger students to get involved in reading. It creates a bridge from “have to” to “want to” by virtue of its design.

You can read all about the new features on the Kindle 2 on Amazon’s site! Happy Reading!