“Since going to Technology for Households (which we heard about through my child’s school), I’ve learned how to manage my kid’s time and apps on the iPad. He is eager to learn, and pays attention.” –Tomicka Charles, Technology for Households class member
It’s been almost a year since Easter Seals Greater Houston became a vendor for Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) project, bringing our “Technology for Households” adult workshops to the county’s Child Care Deserts. As noted in our ELQN article from June 2025, the purpose of ELQN was to make high-quality, educational child care available to more Harris County families, and the mission included digital-literacy training.
Presenter Silvia Guajardo, one of our Digital Skills Trainers at BridgingApps, is a Technology for Households presenter. She notes: “Participants’ biggest concerns centered on whether their children were receiving appropriate classroom support for educational progress. People frequently asked about apps to improve reading and math skills, as well as apps designed to support children with speech delays. Out of 93 total participants, at least 24 mentioned concerns related to a child’s diagnosed or suspected disability.”
Learning What Devices Can Do
A typical three-hour Technology for Households workshop covered:
- How to scan a QR code
- How to set up and configure a tablet
- Tablet security, including screen time, parental controls, guided access, and digital wellbeing
- Using the BridgingApps App Search Tool database
- App recommendations, including ABC Kids, Khan Academy Kids, Starfall, and Vroom
From Silvia Guajardo: “Few parents were fully aware of the security features and safeguards available on devices. I emphasized how parents can have full control over safety settings and usage, and I believe that helped empower participants.”
She adds, “These workshops helped me really understand how important it is that families learn to create safe digital environments. There’s great value in building parent confidence with technology, so they can make better decisions about how their children interact with any device.”
The Kids and the Devices
Each participating family received an Early Learning Technology Kit, which included:
- A brand-new iPad or Android tablet, with its own case and a gift card to purchase apps.
- A kid-friendly stylus.
- A set of headphones.
- A Yoto Player (audio player with streaming-speaker capacities) and three card packs. (The cards store audiobooks and other kids’ programs.)
Below, some of our Technology for Households participants share how these devices have become part of their children’s everyday learning.
“The kids use the iPad for educational games like Duolingo ABC and ABC Spelling. The Yoto device is used to play music at bedtime.” –Caleitha August
“My son uses the Yoto for nightly storytime, and his iPad for homework and videos. Also for keeping up in school when he’s had sick-at-home days. His favorite apps include ABCmouse, ABC Kids, and Duolingo; his favorite Yoto card is the storytime one, especially the Owl story. The technology has also helped with time management: for example, the Yoto player allows us to turn on a bedtime story while we prep for sleep.” –Tomicka Charles
“The iPad has been helpful in my son’s homeschooling, as he often watches the PBS KIDS Video app and other lesson videos. But it’s Yoto that has become his most used device. He enjoys using the cards to listen to music and stories, like ‘Row Your Boat’ and ‘Pete the Cat.’ He is often dancing and learning so much when using the devices. Thank you so much for the Technology program and training.” –Yahaira Chong
Above and below: Yahaira’s son with a Yoto player
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By the beginning of June 2026, all Technology for Households kits were distributed. The program officially concludes in August 2026.