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Free apps, online tools help parents boost young kids
Parents have so many choices of new apps and online tools that it can be hard to know what's worth downloading. Here are some free ones that are helpful for families raising young children in Palm Beach County:
VROOM is a set of tools and resources from the Bezos Family Foundation designed to inspire families to turn everyday moments into “brain building moments” by layering activities that are essential to healthy brain development into existing routines.
It's both a free app, available on Apple and Android devices, and printed materials that offer parents daily tips. Learn more by clicking here.
HELP ME GROW is a program funded locally by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County and offered by 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast. You can call 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow to speak to a child development specialist any concerns you may have. You also can access an Ages & Stages questionnaire online in English or Spanish to track your child's development or create a personalized guide to doctor's visits.
MY NICU BABY is a free app from March of Dimes for parents with babies in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit. The app offers parents details on what they can expect, common medical conditions, tracking their baby's feedings and weight, and how to prepare to take their baby home.
TEXT4BABY is a free app in English or Spanish for expectant parents that makes it easy to get important health and safety information about pregnancy and the first year of their baby's life. See how your baby grows each week. Get medical updates. Take fun quizzes and more.
EDUCARE is a subscriber-based text messaging service for parents and caregivers of children up to age 4, supported by the Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign. Up to four messages each week include information about wellness, early childhood growth, education and developmental milestones. To sign up, text LEARN to 52046 or join online here.
BOOKSMART is a free digital reading source for children ages 3-12. Online books are available in multiple languages for families to engage with together, sponsored by The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Click here to access Booksmart online.
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Related resources
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- Education
- Parenting
Office of Early Learning, Florida Department of Education
Voluntary Prekindergarten — statewide information about free prekindergarten for all Florida 4-year-olds.
866-357-3239 Website Email -
- Education
- Other
- Parenting
Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
Local child-care information, resource and referral, including help paying for care for eligible families
561-514-3300 Website -
- Education
- Parenting
Vroom
Resources, science-based tools, activities and a mobile app, called Vroom by Text, from the Bezos Family Foundation to help parents develop their child's mind during everyday interactions
Website -
- Behavior
- Health
- Parenting
Help Me Grow - Florida
Offers support, free developmental and behavioral screenings, referrals to resources and care coordination to boost children's growth and development
2-1-1 helpline Website -
- Behavior
- Education
- Health
211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast
Help Me Grow – information, guidance and developmental assessment of children up to age 8
2-1-1 Website Email -
- Education
Booksmart
A free digital book platform for children ages 3-12 available in multiple languages, includes fun family engagement recommendations for most books. Sponsored by The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
Website