PBS KIDS LAUNCHES ULTIMATE DINOSAUR APP: DINOSAUR TRAIN A TO Z
App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch builds literacy skills and encourages exploration of life science, natural history and paleontology through discovery, play and reading.
Arlington, VA, February 13, 2014 – PBS KIDS has launched the ultimate dinosaur app: Dinosaur Train A to Z. Based on the hit PBS KIDS show DINOSAUR TRAIN and produced by The Jim Henson Company, Dinosaur Train A to Z is now available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Designed for children ages 3-6, the app extends the television series’ natural history curriculum, building inquiry skills and core science knowledge, and develops reading abilities. As they explore the app, children will learn everything from what dinosaurs ate to how they are scientifically classified. Children will also have the opportunity to practice reading and the alphabet. Fully bilingual, Dinosaur Train A to Z offers users the option to experience the app in either English or Spanish.
“At PBS KIDS, our goal is to use the power of media to spark children’s curiosity and inspire them to pursue their interests long after the screen is turned off,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “We know that preschoolers can’t get enough of dinosaurs and we’ve had many requests from parents over the years to develop a dinosaur-themed app from the hit show DINOSAUR TRAIN. With the addition of Dinosaur Train A to Z, we are excited to offer the essential dinosaur app for preschoolers, which will enable them to explore the dinosaurs they know and love, and learn science and reading skills along the way.”
The Dinosaur Train A to Z App offers a set of 26 interactive dinosaurs and their corresponding letters to spell words and build sentences. Narrated by DINOSAUR TRAIN’s own Mr. Conductor, the app also features highlighted words to build beginners’ reading skills. The app has touch, swipe and tilt capabilities for users to feed the dinosaurs, explore dinosaur x-rays and learn more than 50 dinosaur facts, helping children discover natural history and life science. To encourage curiosity and exploration, the app offers a dinosaur index with easy sorting and classification features.
More features will be added to Dinosaur Train A to Z in the coming months, and the app will soon be available on Android devices.
“PBS KIDS is committed to innovating across platforms to serve America’s children, and our work in the mobile space is critical to delivering on this promise,” said Sara DeWitt, Vice President, PBS KIDS Digital. “With more than seven million downloads of our children’s apps to date, we are increasingly serving more families with curriculum-based, high-quality media to help prepare children for success in school and in life.”
Dinosaur Train A to Z is available for $1.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.AppStore.com/PBSKIDS.
The app is based on DINOSAUR TRAIN, the series produced by The Jim Henson Company that features basic scientific thinking skills, natural history and paleontology and airs daily on PBS KIDS (check local listings). Families can continue the DINOSAUR TRAIN adventure at pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain.
Images and other press materials from DINOSAUR TRAIN and the Dinosaur Train A to Z App are available on PBS PressRoom.
PBS KIDS offers more than 30 apps designed to help kids build literacy, math, science and school readiness skills and more. With a cross-platform approach, PBS KIDS is increasingly serving children and families across America, wherever they live, learn and play. More information about PBS KIDS’ apps is available on pbskids.org/mobile.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number-one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.