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Showing posts with label app. Show all posts
Showing posts with label app. Show all posts

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sponsor Spotlight: Articulation Station by Little Bee Speech! #review #homeschool #preschool

 

Zachary is 3 1/2 and very advanced in reading and arithmetic - several years ahead of where he should be, in fact. We are very proud of him, as I'm sure you can tell! He has always been a bit of a "late bloomer" on other things like walking (he was 18 months) and breaking from the bottle (he was 2) but I never had a problem with any of that - children do things at different times.

The only area of concern I have had recently has been his speech. It isn't that I think he has a speech impediment, but I have noticed that he has a tendency towards replacing sounds with others. For example: he can sound F perfectly fine on its own but if the word is mid-sentence, he will replace the F sound with a B sound. When counting, for example, he more often than not will say one, two, bree, bore, bive, six, seb-en, eight and so on. Being close to 4, it concerns me that this will turn into habit and become a permanent part of his vocabulary.

That was until I found Articulation Station!


Articulation Station was created by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist for parents, SLPs and other educators to help work with children and adults with speech sound delays. It is a comprehensive articulation program offering practice at the word, sentence and story levels in 22 sounds in the English language. 

Click here for the webpage with additional details on Articulation Station Pro along with tutorial videos which show tips on how to get the most out of the app

Thanks so much to Little Bee Speech, who sent us a code to review the full version of Articulation Station Pro!




Let me show you how Zachary and I use this app:


First we choose the letter sound to practice. From here, Zachary can touch the letter to hear the sound and choose to read (or hear) words, sentences, or stories using that sound.


Next we choose the sound position: initial, medial, final or blends. 

You can see in the second picture that Zachary chose sentences with the z sound in the initial position. He also chose random sentences so, when he pushes the red button, it flips different words inside the box (where the zither is). He is only 3 so, although he can read on a second grade level just fine, he doesn't comprehend some of the choices he is making. But he has a lot of fun!


Zachary loves to play the matching game too! 



Articulation Station is definitely one of Zachary's favorite apps and one that he chooses over and over. That makes me very happy! Personally, I love this app and feel that he has made some nice improvements on his speech since we implemented it into his learning time (I say that tongue in cheek because it is more like playtime). I love it so much when he is finished with his lesson and the little bee pops up to say "You Did It!" - Zachary loves that too :)

Here are some more screenshots:







The full Pro Version of Articulation Station can be purchased on itunes for $49.99

You can also download Articulation Station for FREE (comes with the P sound) and purchase sounds individually as needed. In other words, you don't have to spend $49.99 if you don't need to. This is especially good for parents who have a child that only needs to work on one or two sounds.

Be sure and visit Little Bee Speech on:



Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
Love, Renee 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Watercolour by Viktoria Maksymova #IPad #app #review



Watercolour by Viktoria Maksymova. Viktoria has 18 years of experience teaching art to children and adults in the Ukraine and Australia. Together with her husband Vyacheslav Frolov they have created an app that looks like it could teach anyone to paint!

Viktoria and Vyacheslav explain the brush strokes, how to load the brush with colors. I will be buying some watercolor paints and paper, because I know with this program I will be able to paint. The lessons are easy to follow and the directions are clearly written. Viktoria paints so that I can follow along.



This book includes seven lessons in watercolor painting with interactive elements and videos:

1. Basic brushstrokes
2. Feather brushstroke
3. Roses and buds
4. Underpainting
5. Deciduous trees
6. Coniferous trees
7. Marine (seascape)

This book will help to develop your basic skills in Watercolor and allows you to feel freely and confident in this art technique. The interactive elements transform the boring process of learning into fun. Videos give you a full understanding of exactly how you must complete the exercises. This book will give voice to your emotions and is suitable for you and your kids.


Buy Watercolour on ITunes
Connect with Viktoria and Vyacheslav on Facebook 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Love, Renee

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Pet Fashion – A Cute Animal Dress-Up Game #app #review



Pet Fashion is a new game from 65Gb Software that allows you to dress up a bunny and then take of photo of him in his new attire. You can even share it via your social networking sites.


This app is uncluttered, with only three tabs on the Home Screen (wear, store and photo). It is perfect for kids and easy to navigate with happy background music. We really liked that you can take a picture of the bunny as if he was in reality - whatever scene you are taking a picture of, he can be in! It’s definitely a cool feature. My son loves sharing his pictures on facebook (although, being 2, I doubt he understands what he is doing LOL) and this app allows him to do just that.



I love that the app is FREE. It's a fun game, but I'm afraid older kids might get bored of it after a while since you can only choose a bunny (no other pets) and, while there are lots of clothes/accessories to choose from, you can only play dress up for so long.

My son does love though, so I would recommend downloading Pet Fashion for kids PreK-1 while it is still FREE.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Love, Renee

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Guess Moo! IPad & IPhone App #review {ages 2-5}



I was recently given the opportunity to review the Guess Moo IPad and IPhone App. Guess Moo has 12 animals along with the animals voices, pictures and a poem to help kids remember. It can be purchased through ITunes for $2.99.




Zachary is 2 and loves this app. It has easy navigation and he enjoys the game inside the app too. He was playing with this app at the doctor's office a week or so ago and everyone was amazed at his ability to use it and recognize the animal sounds.

It is a very cute app, but given the opportunity to purchase it I probably would not pay $2.99. That is a bit high and I can download apps for less that do more. Zachary does love it, however, so I was happy to have received it for review.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Love, Renee

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Montessori Numbers - Math Activities for Kids: App Review #eduapp #ipad @lescapadou

  • Category: Education
  • Released: 15 August 2012
  • Version: 1.1
  • Size: 54.6 MB
  • Languages: English, French
  • Seller: pierre abel


Award-winning children’s app developer L’Escapadou announces the release of Montessori Numbers, an innovative app designed to help kids build solid math foundations. Based on the proven Montessori method, kids can now experiment with quantities and numerals, learn the names and visually understand how the decimal system works. The Montessori Numbers app focuses on numbers from 0-1000 and offers a sequence of guided activities that will help children reinforce their skills. 

My Review:

Zachary and I fell in LOVE with this app immediately!

If your child is learning numbers and their meaning, you will definitely want this app. My son is 2.5 years old and has no trouble recognizing numbers or counting objects up to 50. He also can "draw" lines from one numeral to the next in sequence. Honestly, I wasn't sure what the next logical step in mathematics was for him since he is so young, but he is a quick learner and surprises me every day.

This app put us on the right path to building a solid Math foundation.

Zachary went straight for Numbers 1-10 (he doesn't grasp the concept of units/bars yet) and had fun moving the beads to where they belong. He already recognizes and knows the names of numbers, but this activity helps him experiment with quantities. Watch the video below to see him in action!




All in all, not only is this a phenomenal math app, it has gorgeous graphics and the narrator's voice is soothing (a definite plus). The Developer says this app is for 3-7 year olds (it is rated 4+ in the App Store), but Zachary had no trouble with the beginner activities. He learns quickly and this app is an excellent teaching tool, so I will not be surprised when he moves on to more advanced things in the next week or so.

I would definitely give Montessori Numbers a five star rating. I can't wait to review L’Escapadou's Word Wizard and Montessori Crossword Apps!

From the Developer:

In the majority of public and private schools, children are given abstract symbols as the starting point to learn numbers. They are first taught to count out loud – usually in song format - while being shown how to write the numerals. The problem with this format is that recognizing and writing the numerals and counting to 10 doesn’t indicate an understanding of what the numbers mean.

Maria Montessori believed “what the hand does, the mind remembers”. By using concrete materials during the early, sensitive years, kids taught in a Montessori environment internalize the basic concepts of mathematics more easily. Montessori Numbers is inspired from several traditional Montessori activities and offers concrete hands-on learning materials that make abstract concepts clearer.

Montessori Numbers is designed to help build sound mathematical foundations in children aged 3-7 by using a concrete, visually significant material inspired from the Montessori methodology. Learn to understand quantities and numbers, learn the numerals and build numbers from 0 to 1000.

Montessori Numbers offers a sequence of guided activities that gradually help children reinforce their skills. The app can be used with children aged 3-7. Each activity offers several levels of increasing complexity. 1 - Experiment with quantities and learn their names 2 - Learn the numerals and their names 3 - Associate quantities with numerals 4 - Understand the decimal system 5 - Introduce addition and subtraction Montessori Numbers builds on the iPad’s touch feature, and uses verbal feedback for more efficient learning. The app can pronounce any number between 0 and 1009, and American, British and Australian voices are available. 

★Activities ★

➜ 1 to 20


This activity is designed to introduce numbers up to 10 - but since number names up to 20 are also difficult to memorize, we have added a special level for numbers from 11 to 20. There are 3 levels of difficulty: 0 to 5, 0 to 10 and 11 to 20.

➜ Quantity

In this activity, kids associate quantities to numbers by manipulating units, bars of 10, and squares of 100 to match a given number. As the game is started, an option allows you to hide the numerals to work specifically on the association of number names with quantities. The child can also touch placed beads to make the app count them, and touch numbers to hear their names.There are 3 levels of difficulty: 0 to 9, 10 to 99 and 100 to 999.

➜ Numerals

In this activity, number names are to be associated with numerals. As a number name is pronounced, kids are invited to find the corresponding numeral. Kids can freely experiment with numerals and hear the names associated with each numeral they build. The quantity representing the numbers built is also displayed to reinforce the association between quantity and numerals. There are 3 levels of difficulty: 0 to 9, 10 to 99 and 100 to 999.

➜ Numerals (from Quantity)

In this activity, a quantity is to be associated with a given numeral. The child must build the number that matches the quantity displayed. This is the most complex activity because the child must count the quantity displayed, and then build the number using the numerals. There are 3 levels of difficulty: 0 to 9, 10 to 99 and 100 to 999.

➜ Building Game:

A game can be started at the end of each activity (availability can be modified in the settings panel). There is no “real” goal to this game - kids can play freely with the materials, thus becoming more familiar with them. Kids can add any material and numeral they want, and build whatever they want.
By default, gravity is simulated and the child can even move the device to make the objects move. Touching the background will create lovely fireworks.

Common Core State Standards : This app will help your child in learning the following Common Core State Standards domains:

➜Counting and Cardinality (K.CC)
➜ Operations and Algebraic Thinking (K.OA, 1.OA.1/2/5) (note that even if operations are implicit in this app, the child learns addition and subtraction by adding and removing beads, and learn strategies to add and subtract mentally)
Number and Operations in Base Ten (K.BNT,1.NBT.1/2/4/5/6, 2.NBT.1/2/3/5/8/9, 3.NBT.1/2). The app is great to deal with place value.


Pricing and Availability:

Montessori Numbers is $2.99 USD and is available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Education category.




Disclaimer
Love, Renee

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Albie and friends : Ipad Storybook #Review

068db  mza 976078502658070621.100x100 75 Albie and friends   Toto Publishing Studios 068db  spacer Albie and friends   Toto Publishing Studios Albie and friends
Toto Publishing Studios


Genre: Books

Price: $ 2.99

Release Date: June 14, 2012
© © Adrian Cavalcanti and Julia Obelar



Love, Renee

Friday, July 13, 2012

Read.Explore.Learn : Our Bedtime Routine #kids #preschool #ipad #app





Shibley Smiles


Welcome to Read.Explore.Learn.! Hosted by JDaniel4sMom, this meme was designed to be a place for you to share the learning opportunities, crafts, field trips, and other activities you have done this week that tie-in to children’s books

Please be sure and link up at JDaniel4sMom's post - I look forward to seeing ways you have learned with and explored books!

 My Book Tie-Ins of the Week:




As you can tell, we just love Caroline Jayne Church's loveable, huggable toddlers! These padded boards books are absolutely perfect for Zachary (How Do I Love You? Potty Time and You are My Sunshine are next on my list). And he has no trouble at all reading them.

Good Night, I Love You is the very best get your children ready for bedtime book.

What did we do with the book?

Since the book talks about bath time and brushing your teeth, so did we. I found a cute little (FREE) app online called  Sprout's Good Night Star (By PBS KIDS Sprout).



The app is made for preschoolers so they can practice their bedtime routine with Sprout's lovable character, Star. Brush Star's teeth, wash Star's Face, read a story to Star and get him ready for bed. Then rock Star to sleep.

Zachary loves washing Star's face



 
Love, Renee

Friday, June 01, 2012

Get BOTH of our Favorite Ipad Storybooks (Elfishki and The Unwelcome Guest and The Giant Cake) TODAY Only for $0.99 each!

Both of our favorite iPad Fairy Tale storybooks are on Sale Today for $0.99 - that's 67% Off to celebrate June 1st - "Stand for Children" day.  Normally the price is $2.99!

Here are the links:

Elfishki and The Unwelcome Guest: http://bit.ly/JVqfhS

Elfishki and The Giant Cake: http://bit.ly/LPT1TS


Love, Renee

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Zachary is 28 Months Old! #may #summer #homeschool #preschool



Zachary is 28 months old and it is starting to feel like Summer outside :)

Exploring Our World

We played with bubbles for the first time!

Zachary started figuring out Photobooth on the ipad. This becomes a multi-sensory activity with elements of investigation - great for preschoolers!


I got this now!

Homeschooling

This month we started using Montessori-style baskets for encouraging learning, play and discovery. The idea is to organize groups of things that can be discovered in one place. They can be switched out and added to throughout the home for the child to discover on their own.

My son loves to read and play in the office while Daddy is working, so we decided to put a few in there (we sometimes take them in the kitchen too). The first basket holds a few boards books (First 100 Words (Bright Baby), Baby Einstein: First Alphabet Bookand I Love You Through And Through).

The second basket is for "Open Close" objects.

According to Living Montessori Now:
Open and close baskets are amazingly popular with preschoolers and are wonderful preliminary practical life exercises for eye-hand coordination as well as developing concentration and a sense of order.






We used soy butter jars and Tupperware boxes this time.

This is Zachary's favorite activity with the baskets:


Leave a comment and let me know what activities you are doing!
Love, Renee