Preschoolers in several Buncombe communities got a free head start on learning this summer thanks to a partnership between Buncombe County Schools and early childhood education nonprofit ApSeed.
To kick off summer programming, BCS Bookmobile and ApSeed Education representatives handed out free touchpads to children 3-5 years old in communities where the Bookmobile bus stops. The free touchpads hold 14 age-appropriate educational apps that help 4-year-olds learn letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. They also provide resources for parents to help get their kids ready for kindergarten. The touchpads come with headphones and chargers, but with safety and privacy in mind, they have no cameras or internet access. The apps focus on interaction, not passive viewing.
“Our goal is to make sure kids are ready for school and to get them to love learning,” said Bookmobile coordinator Pricilla Lunsford. “The touchpads help us reach that goal with Pre-K kids, and the Bookmobile helps make sure our students keep their momentum during the summer.”
The Bookmobile is a former yellow school bus that has been converted to a mobile library for Pre-K through eighth graders. During the summer months, the program provides books and literacy resources for students and their families. Check the summer Bookmobile schedule.