Teachable moments come in all shapes and sizes. Now, when those unexpected moments occur, parents and educators can rely on the new Terrific Teachable Moments mobile app to help them take advantage in convenient and meaningful ways.
Terrific Teachable Moments is a simple, activity-based teaching resource developed by University of Illinois Extension. Now available as an app on both Android ™ and IOS™ smart devices, the program allows teachers, parents, and youth mentors to provide simple, hands-on learning experiences designed to help kids of all ages develop emotional awareness and make positive character choices.
“Sometimes we need a little support to address a child’s positive or negative behavior at that specific moment,” says Tessa Hobbs-Curley, Illinois Extension family life educator and TTM program contributor. “The new app is a great resource to put quick, simple, intentional activities right at your fingertips.”
The app includes over 150 mini lessons and each can be done in under 10 minutes. Lessons are based on the 4-H Youth Development framework of experiential learning, which leads kids to participate in a short activity, reflect on the experience, and apply what they learn by connecting it to real-life situations.
Lessons in the app are grouped into four distinct age-appropriate books or sections: Pre-K to Grade 2, Grades 3 to 6, Grades 7 to 12, and Families. Straightforward menu navigation allows users to find appropriate lessons within each section by searching for type of behavior, character pillar, SEL learning standard, or lesson title.
All activities reinforce core social-emotional learning competencies, developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), as well as teach the six pillars of character: caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness, established by CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition's Six Pillars of Character®.
“Terrific Teachable Moments is a wonderful classroom resource.” says Nathan Harrison, Bushnell Prairie City Junior High assistant to the principal. “It addresses a nice variety of topics and lives up to its name. TTM can be used with a wide range of students and gives teachers a great opportunity to make connections with students on a social and emotional level.”
The versatile learning tool can be used both at home and in classroom settings to reinforce positive behavior choices such as helping others, honesty, compassion, problem-solving, and self-control.
Get TTM mobile app
Download the Terrific Teachable Moments app for $3.99 from the App Store® or Google Play™, and find additional information and simple app navigation tips on the Illinois Extension Family Life and 4-H Illinois websites.
Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC. App Store is a registered trademark of Apple. IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
SOURCES:
Tessa Hobbs-Curley, Family Life Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Sheri Merry, 4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension
WRITER: Liz Smith, Media Communications Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension
PHOTO ACCESS: The photo in this article is available to download for media use.