Category Archives: product review

Zwuggels – Beach Holidays and Treasure Hunt app – fun and affordable for targeting multiple goals (iOS and Android)

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The Zwuggels – Beach Holidays and Treasure Hunt app by Ploosh GmbH is so much fun! Priced affordably (you’d spend that much on an item from Target’s Bullseye’s Playground) and full of lots of opportunities for targeting multiple goals (following directions, spatial concepts, problem solving, emotions, predicting, action words, describing, storytelling, Core Vocabulary, etc….)

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-zwuggels-beach-holidays-and-treasure-hunt/id1143084088, iOS Universal, iOS 8.0 or later, $2.99

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zwuggels.beach&referrer=utm_source%3Dzwuggels_website, $2.99

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0FDTJU, $2.99

Gameplay video: https://youtu.be/OINa58R2cPc

Website: http://www.zwuggels.com/en/

Core Vocabulary in each section:

  1. Elfina rock climbing: up, help, eat, drink (moving through rock climbing maze)
  2. Feed Ubo: get up, eat, sleep
  3. Olfred’s book, hats & car, plane, train: Like, put on, go
  4. Zilda’s chemistry lab: Put in, turn on
  5. Professor Zigmund’s mixed up plugs: There, here, put in, turn on
  6. Captain Zach: put on
    7-8. Pirate Cat Leonardo’s ship / Elfina’s dream: go, up (wake up), make, give
  7. Olfred & Elina packing: yes, no, in
  8. Load the luggage: put, there, help, turn, up, down, in, no
  9. Captain Zach waking up: get up, move, put on
  10. Captain Zach making sandwiches: make, put on, more, in, like (following directions for what each crew members likes on their sandwich)
  11. Brew breakfast tea: help, put on, there, wait, in, more, give (tea cup matches color of their outfit)
  12. Boarding the ship & find sunglasses: come, find, help, put on & Sailing breeze: wait, open, off, go
  13. Spyglass: look, sleep, up, give, look, close
  14. Storm cloud: help, move, up, down, out (through cloud maze)
  15. Hammer mooring ropes: there, help, in
  16. Swimming trunks: off, on, more (changing into swimsuit & putting on sunscreen, could also target body parts)
  17. Beach ball: help, more, big, my turn, your turn
  18. Beach umbrella & beach chairs: put, there, my, your, eat, no
  19. Sand pail: make, in, more, get, put, there, out, again, down, on
  20. Message in bottle: oh no!, wash away, sad, look, get, open, out, help
  21. Nico the Cat (fix rowboat): look, help, scared, give
  22. Scrape barnacles: off, more, here, there, in
  23. Paint boat: this, more, there, done
  24. Oars: get in, give, put on, off, go, Bye, look (passing several interactive items as they row), drink, tired
  25. Shark fin: help, scared, Hi, find
  26. Fishing pole: on, in, get, out, more, fast
  27. Dolphin: eat, his, her, turn, more, there, go
  28. Pirate hat: go, up, down, there (going through water in archipelago island maze)
  29. Leonardo the Pirate Cat: help, open, me, look, stop, no
  30. Bucket and shovel: help, look, there, here, not, again, open, find, look
  31. Sea Turtle: sad, look, find, sleep, up, there (to tell where to tickle Donatella the turtle)
  32. Goggles & snorkel: down, put on (flippers, goggles, snorkel), wait, in, open, look, there, find, not
  33. Keys: this, yes, no/not, again, more, open, out
  34. Campfire: worried, here, put in, more, there,

Each section has a check mark when you are “finished”/”done”. Initially the areas are locked but then you can go back and play one “again” or proceed forward in the story to explore “more”

Core Vocabulary list (alphabetical):

  1. again
  2. away
  3. big
  4. Bye
  5. down
  6. drink
  7. close
  8. come
  9. done/finished
  10. down
  11. drink
  12. eat
  13. fast
  14. find
  15. get
  16. give
  17. go
  18. help
  19. her
  20. here
  21. Hi
  22. his
  23. in
  24. like
  25. look
  26. make
  27. more
  28. move
  29. my
  30. no
  31. not
  32. off
  33. on
  34. open
  35. out
  36. put
  37. up
  38. sleep
  39. stop
  40. there
  41. this
  42. turn
  43. wait
  44. yes
  45. your

Emotions:

  • happy
  • sad
  • tired
  • excited
  • worried
  • scared

I purchased this app myself and love it so much I left a review on the App Store, am posting this here on my blog and will be sharing on social media. Part of a conscious effort to help support kids app developers 😊

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Si6k7Y
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoorad1/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amoorad
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

App Review: Thinkrolls Space by Avokiddo

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App Review: Thinkrolls Space by Avokiddo

Avokiddo has just released Thinkrolls Space, a new app in their “Thinkrolls” collection, and it’s awesome! Highly recommended 😊
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I previously used Thinkrolls apps extensively in my work as a SLP to work on problem solving, sequencing, logic, etc… and like to play the games myself as well. This newest one has a fun space theme, extra characters that can be unlocked by collecting stars and hearts along the journey (adding another opportunity to strategize the best route to collect the most), has an “easy” level with 110 puzzle paths on 7 planets and a “hard” level with 108 puzzle paths on 7 planets, high quality graphics and sound effects and is a blast to play.
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Navigate through seven unique-themed planets, each focusing on a different set of skills and puzzle elements. Throughout, you’re encouraged to experiment. You’ll learn through trial and error to combine elements, as well as how to build on successive lessons to strengthen creative thinking, logic, problem solving, spatial cognition, and memory. Look for the key and exit gate. Try to visualize your route. Use and combine objects to clear a path, get the key, and move to the exit. Trapped? No problem. Just tap the reset button at the top right of the screen and try again. The app offers unlimited, penalty-free retries, and no time limits. This along with the option to toggle off the background music contribute to it being special needs friendly.
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Since the puzzles are designed to be solved in order, levels are greyed out at the beginning and become available as you go along. To facilitate the app review process, the app developer provided me with a code to unlock all levels. This way I could visit any planet without having to complete all previous levels. Based on my experience working with numerous kids with special needs who became very frustrated when they couldn’t finish a game it would be nice if the app developer could add this “unlock all levels” in the settings area in a future update.
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Progress is saved automatically so you can pick up where you’ve left off. Puzzles become increasingly harder combining skills learned earlier in the game.
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The easy level is recommended for younger kids (5+). As I tested the app I found the “easy” level of Thinkrolls Space to be a bit harder than the “easy” levels in the Thinkrolls 1 & Thinkrolls 2 apps with Planet 7 in the “easy” level requiring the most thinking ahead several steps to formulate a plan. The hard level is more challenging (targeted for older kids (8+) and even adults). This new app is definitely easier than the Thinkrolls Kings and Queens app but there were several puzzles in the “hard” level that I found to be very challenging and a few that I ended up skipping after several attempts. But I may come back and solve those later 😊
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The app allows you to create up to six separate player profiles, which is useful if multiple users share the same device. The selected difficulty mode is player-specific and can be changed at any time. Progress, collected hearts and stars, as well as won characters are also player-specific.
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The elements: In Thinkrolls Space, you’ll meet goo monsters, bleeping robots, spring-like soprano aliens, and cheese monsters who love munching moon cheese. You’ll face vanishing rainbow bridges, plasma fields, teleporters, and more. Each of these can help or hinder.
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Helpful info and tips on how to play can be found in a “for parents” section that is secured behind a parental gate in the top left corner of the home screen.
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There are no third-party ads or in-app purchases in this app. But there is a link to other apps by this developer in the bottom left corner of the home screen. It would be nice if that area could be toggled off and/or add a much more difficult parental gate since it contains links to purchasing other apps. The current parental gate could be easily hacked by older children who can read. In the meantime I will secure this area with Guided Access. Of course it is always wise to have a strong password set for purchasing apps and to toggle off app purchasing in the settings area on any iPad that a child is using.

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I highly recommend this new app and hope the developer continues to release more Thinkrolls in the future.

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App Store info:
iOS 8.0 or later
Universal app that works on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thinkrolls-space/id1458751834
$3.99 – prices will vary outside of the USA based on the exchange rate
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Developer’s website: https://avokiddo.com/thinkrolls-space/

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Retired Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with 28 years experience …. still figuring out what I want to “do” in this next phase of life. 😎
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC

{New “Must Have” Resource} Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm by Whitney Stewart and Mina Braun

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Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm by Whitney Stewart and Mina Braun

Be still my heart! This is the best new kids mindfulness product that I’ve seen in a long time. The boxed card deck includes 50 creative mindfulness games, visualizations and exercises divided into 5 categories to help children feel grounded, find calm, improve focus, practice loving-kindness and relax. Whimsical full-color illustrations on both sides of the cards break down each practice into easy-to-follow steps. Tips on individual cards plus an 8-page instructional booklet show modifications that make these activities inclusive for children of all abilities.

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What I love about these cards:

* Large 5″ X 7″ sturdy cards with a protective coating. The size will be helpful in groups as well as 1-on-1 sessions and the two sided card format is easy to “grab and go”.
* Whimsical colorful illustrations depicting kids of diverse ethnic backgrounds and abilities participating in the activities. The color and style of illustrations are not childish. This makes this card set useable for a wide range of ages (says “ages 4-104” on the front of the storage box)
* The front of each card has a large illustration, activity category with color coded edge, activity title and brief description.
* The back of each card has illustrated step-by-step simple instructions. I love how simple the wording is. Some cards have additional tips or challenges.
* Many of the cards deal with a wide range of emotions…. this set is a perfect addition to any SEL (social emotional learning) program!
* A few cards address “dealing with change”…. this is often difficult for my patients with Autism, OCD and other special needs so I’m especially excited about these cards.
* There are no religious images, words or symbols. This will make this card set usable in a wide range of environments.
* The instructional booklet has simple kid-friendly explanations about mindfulness and the five categories of activities. Also includes tips for modifying activities.
* The cards come in a sturdy storage box with hinged lid covered in whimsical colorful illustrations.

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List of cards included in each category:

Start Your Day: Stay Grounded. Feel strong, focused and confident as you begin each day.
* Mindful Breaths
* Mindful Mood
* Mountain Rising
* Rooted Like a Tree
* Inhaling the Universe
* Cloud Burst
* Mindful Jungle Movement
* Reflection Pond
* Words to Yourself
* Rings of Light

Find Calm: Ride Your Waves. Learn to handle tricky or challenging emotions.
* Shake the Sillies Out
* Balanced Breathing
* Tummy Ride
* Mind Bubbles
* The Power of Blue
* Joyful Jellyfish
* Happy Hum
* Fist Squeeze
* Finding the Pause
* Peaceful Place

Focus: Strengthen Your Mind. Wake up your brain, build concentration and sharpen your sensory awareness.
* Tap and Wiggle
* Finger Fiddle
* Mind Castle
* Wise Old Owl
* Mental Snapshot
* Mind Magic
* Open Ears
* The Nose Knows
* Sharp Eyes
* Mindful Munch

Open Your Heart: Accept Life with Kindness. Feel a sense of self-acceptance and connection to the world.
* Sharing Friendship
* Everything Changes
* Sitting With It
* Name That Feeling
* Finding Feelings
* The Inner Me
* Cooking Up Connections
* Breath by Breath
* Loving-Kindness
* Heart Garden

Rest & Relax: Unwind Your Tangles. Reflect, relax and ease your busy mind.
* Animal Dance
* Swaying Trees
* Figure Eights
* Rain Shower
* Safekeeping
* Rock, Roll and Rest
* Squeeze and Release
* Floating Smiles
* I Am Thankful
* Folding Flower

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More details: https://www.barefootbooks.com/index.php?cID=81724
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See samples of the cards: http://store.barefootbooks.com/mindful-kids.html
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Get a better price on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Kids-Activities-Focus-Peace/dp/1782853278
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About the author: http://whitneystewart.com
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This card set is highly recommended as a “must have” resource for therapists, teachers, parents & kids yoga teachers! 

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga (note: Facebook frequently changes the link to messaging so if this one doesn’t work head over to my page and click on the “Send Message” button)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 28 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Review & Song Giveaway} Peace for the Children: Yoga, Story, Dance and Mantra Music for Children by Sydney Solis at Storytime Yoga

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Check out this fun new addition to my OMazing Kids yoga music collection! I especially love The Golden Fish Song with it’s “islandy” vibe.

Peace for the Children: Yoga, Story, Dance and Mantra Music for Children by Sydney Solis at Storytime Yoga

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Includes 13 tracks:

  • The Namaste Song
  • The Breathe it In, Breathe it Out Song
  • The Breathing Song
  • The Sun Salutation Chant
  • The Nursery Rhyme Body Jam
  • The Skeleton’s Ball
  • The Golden Fish
  • A Jingo a Jango
  • The Croc ‘n’ Monkey Rap
  • I Am Love
  • Love & Peace & Happiness
  • Chumba la Cachumba The Skeleton’s Ball – Spanish Version
  • The Golden Fish II

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I loved reading the stories behind the songs: http://www.storytimeyoga.com/the-story-of-storytime-yogas-peace-for-the-children-kids-yoga-dance-and-story-music/.

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Available for purchase:

CD Baby (MP3 or CD): https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/sydneysolis2

Amazon (streaming, MP3 or CD): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BUKQI18

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/storytime-yoga-peace-for-the-children/id1084727485

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Giveaway:

Sydney generously sent 4 free download codes for The Golden Fish Song single song on CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/sydneysolis3/TheGoldenFishSong

I will be sharing those codes over in a post on my OMazing Kids Facebook page so head on over to “like” and “follow” so you’ll see the giveaway post: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga/

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://m.facebook.com/msg/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{App Review} Social Stories Creator for Educators by Touch Autism

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{App Review} Social Stories Creator for Educators by Touch Autism

Most of the kids on my caseload have Autism or other similar special needs so I am constantly either looking for or creating social stories. With 23 pre-made social stories included this app is a huge time saver and a bargain when compared to how much it would cost to purchase individual social stories. You could easily spend twice the cost of this app. I like how simple the stories are and some include interactive symbol areas. This app also includes several social stories that are not yet available as stand alone apps. It is very easy/intuitive to use and many of my patients are highly motivated by anything presented on the iPad (seriously I could show them the same story in printed format, read it to them and might not get much of a response but somehow recording my voice and presenting the same social story via the iPad got a very different response…. Shhhhh….. don’t tell the kids that it’s Mrs. Angela inside the iPad…. lol!).

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Three video examples of included social stories:

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I have just a few wishes for a future app update:
• being able to copy and then edit the pre-made stories to tweak them as needed for individual needs
• being able to print pre-made stories to send with the parent after a session for carryover at home (my current solution to this is to take screenshots and then either e-mail those to the parent to print at home or to myself to then print and give to the parent – both of which were time consuming)
• to have a small library of clip art of images from the pre-made stories to choose from when creating my own stories in addition to importing images from the Camera Roll. I like the uniform/cohesive look of the included stories so it would be cool to be able to keep some of this “look” in stories that I create.

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Features:
• Includes 23 pre-made social stories (info in parentheses if that story is available as a stand alone app. I am including the price if purchased as a separate app to help folks see the value you would get in this app):
– Asking to play (part of Conversation Social Stories app $3.99)
– Boys potty training (part of Potty Training Social Story app $3.99)
– Compliments ($2.99)
– Divorce (not available as a stand alone app)
– Emotions & feelings ($2.99)
– Girls potty training (part of Potty Training Social Story app)
– Going on an airplane (not available as a stand alone app)
– Going shopping ($2.99)
– Greetings (part of Conversation Social Stories app)
– How to calm down (wording similar to the Calm Counter app $2.99)
– It’s not OK to hurt (not available as a stand alone app)
– Joke telling ($2.99)
– Making conversations (part of Conversation Social Stories app
– Manners ($2.99)
– Personal space (not available as a stand alone app)
– Running ($2.99)
– Stranger & community safety ($2.99)
– Taking care of my device ($1.99)
– Taking turns & playing games ($2.99 – but a visual support/timer for taking turns is included in the stand alone app but is not in this app)
– Using & saving money ($2.99)
– Using my words ($2.99)
– Waiting ($2.99 – but a visual timer is included in the stand alone app but is not in this app)
– Wh questions ($2.99)

• Easily create an unlimited number of your own social stories with pictures, voice recordings and text.
• Share and receive created stories with other users.
• Print PDFs of created stories to have paper copies. The recent update for iOS 10 or later added the option to choose half page or full page.
• Stories can be made in any language.
• Organize stories into categories for particular skills, students or classrooms.
• Lock students into categories or apps to limit access.
• Create and play stories offline (with no internet connection).
• Easy to use, intuitive format.
• Password protected parental controls can be set.

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App Store: https://appsto.re/us/79vG7.i, $24.99, most recent update requires iOS 10 or later, iOS Universal app (works on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch)

Free version to create 2 of your own social stories and download 1 free pre-made story “Taking Care of My Device” (doesn’t include any other pre-made stories unless purchased as IAPs): Social Stories Creator and Library by Touch Autism, https://appsto.re/us/2XUdJ.i (Tip: If you want all of the stories, it is wiser to purchase the full paid version of an app instead of upgrading a free app via IAPs)

More about the app: http://touchautism.com/app/social-stories-creator-library/
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I’m glad to have this app in my speechie toolbox and highly recommend it 😃
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: https://www.facebook.com/messages/174264525957894
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{App Review & Giveaway} Lively Letters app

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{App Review & Giveaway} I’m loving the multisensory approach and customization options in the new Lively Letters app! It was exciting to hear that the company decided to keep the app priced at $19.99 so that it will be affordable for teachers, therapists & parents. I have one app code to giveaway so keep reading…. giveaway details are at the end of this post 😃.

There are three activities included in the Lively Letters App:

* The Flashing Activity introduces and teaches letter sounds and speech production. Hear the letter sound, the song, and the letter sound story in English or Spanish. Also see the associated hand and mouth cue photo and practice tracing the letter.
* The Tracking Activity develops letter sounds, phonics, and phonemic awareness skills to improve reading and spelling.
* The Matching Activity is a fun way to practice letter sounds and speech production.

All three activities allow you to select the letters you want to work with, as well as the type of letter. The types of letters are Lively Letters pictures, in lowercase and uppercase, and plain letters, in lowercase or uppercase.

The app offers several options for backgrounds: 6 fun themed backgrounds, 8 solid color backgrounds & the option to import a picture from your device. The solid backgrounds are especially of interest to those of us working with kids with special needs who need a high contrast or clutter-free background. I can also envision the option to import a picture as a custom background being helpful in tapping into kids high interest areas (see pic where I imported Thomas the Train as a background).

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This is a well-designed app that I highly recommend! For those wondering about the $19.99 price, think about what you would spend on letter cards, letter songs, letter tracing apps, a memory match game, etc…. and you will quickly understand the value of the features included in this app and that it is well worth every penny. The app has high quality pictures, illustrations, music & voiceovers. It contains both simple and detailed instructions, the option to set up several users, data collection & option to e-mail results.

I only have three wishes for a future app update:
1. For the entire app to be in “landscape” mode. Currently the app set up screens are in “portrait” mode and then the app switches to “landscape” mode when the user is doing an activity.
2. It would also be nice to have an easy way to toggle between various background options without having to end an activity and start over going though the settings.
3. There needs to be a way to delete a user from the app.

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App Store: Lively Letters – Phonemic Awareness & Phonics by Telian-Cas Learning Concepts Inc, https://appsto.re/us/1xmMib.i, iPad-only, requires iOS 9.0 or later, $19.99 (pricing outside of the USA will vary depending on the exchange rate).

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App overview video:

More about the app: http://readingwithtlc.com/livelylettersapp.html

Social media:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/readingwithtlc

Facebook users group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/203873323445553/

Twitter:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/readingwithtlc/
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App Giveaway: I have one iOS app code to giveaway. It’s an iPad-only app.

Enter by 1-2-3:

1) “liking” the original post directly on the OMazing Kids Facebook page:

2) “commenting” on that post about why you would like to win this app. Please be specific. I will be choosing winners based on these details to ensure this therapeutic app gets put to the best use.

3) sending a private message to the OMazing Kids Facebook page mentioning “Lively Letters”

All 3 steps are required to enter.

Entry Deadline: Friday, 6/23/17 at 5:00pm CST. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take a day or so to verify them and to announce the winner and distribute the code.

Tips:

* First tap this picture to go to the post directly on OMazing Kids and then like/comment there. I often share posts in groups to spread the word about giveaways but comments posted in a group or likes on those posts do not show up on the original pic and do not count for the giveaway.

** Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga

*** Note: If you encounter any difficulty in sending a private FB message or posting comments, please try another means of getting on Facebook (FB app, getting on FB via Safari on an iPad or getting on Facebook via a computer.)
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids:  http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Book Review} Clinical Workbook for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants by Robert Kraemer & Jacqueline Bryla

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{Book Review} Clinical Workbook for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants by Robert Kraemer & Jacqueline Bryla

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This workbook is the first of its kind to feature treatment activities using iPad apps in addition to traditional therapeutic activities and materials. Each activity is explained with detailed, step-by-step instructions and supporting photographs. Includes activities for the following areas: speech (articulation, phonological disorders and childhood apraxia of speech), communicative intent, language, social skills, complex communication needs and AAC, voice, fluency, early literacy & positive behavior supports.
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Spiral-bound: 278 pages
Publisher: Plural Publishing, Inc.; 1 edition (February 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1597568902
ISBN-13: 978-1597568906
Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 8.8 x 10.8 inches
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I was thrilled to have the opportunity to provide feedback to Jackie as she spent countless hours writing this book and to now get to see the finished product for this review!

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Here’s what I love about this book:

  •  The activities ideas are easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and are enhanced by black and white screenshots from apps and photos of kids participating.
  • Includes ideas for individual and group sessions.
  • QR codes, App Store links and websites make it easy to find the exact app or materials being used for each activity.
  • Great ideas for targeting goals for early communication with the “Knock-Knock Box” program including objects to include in the kit, skills to target, and specific verbs and concepts associated with each object in the kit.
  • Fun ideas and activities for targeting core vocabulary for AAC users.
  • Several activities include printables from SLPs on Teachers Pay Teachers.
  • Awesome wire spiral binding will hold up well with repeated use and allows the book to stay open to a specific page when placed on the table.
  • Includes a wide variety of apps. Examples of apps included in this workbook are: Articulation Station, Secret Mission Articulation, Phono Learning Center, PhonoPix, Word FLiPS, Apraxia Ville, Apraxia RainbowBee, several Sago Mini apps, StoryToys Touch Look Listen My First Words, Question Therapy by Tactus, WordToob, the My PlayHome series of apps, Auditory Memory Club, Social Quest, Between the Lines series of apps by Hamaguchi, Social Norms by Virtual Speech Center, Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD with WordPower, Avaz Pro, Clicker Communicator, Toto’s Treehouse by Dr. Panda, What’s in the Bag?, Pogg, several Tiggly apps, Word Wizard and Writing Wizard by L’Escapadou, Mystery Word Town by Artgig, Conversation Paceboard by Aptus, Fluency SIS, Decibel 10th, FluencyCoach, ChoiceWorks visual schedule and visual supports app, Custom Boards, Jigsaw Wonder Puzzles series of apps by Eggroll Games, Wellbeyond Meditation for Kids, Thinkrolls series of apps by Avokiddo, Winky Think by Spinlight Studios, Busy Shapes, Crazy Gears and Busy Water apps by Edoki, open ended play apps by Toca Boca, Touch and Write series of apps by FizzBrain, etc….
  • Although this workbook was designed for SLPAs, it would also be a great resource for SLPs who may have just gotten their first iPad and are looking for ideas to get up to speed quickly on apps and how they can be incorporated into therapy. Once you get inspiration from these examples you could easily apply similar strategies to other apps you may get. See this post for my list of apps for SLPs broken out by goal areas: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2016/12/31/the-ipad-the-slp-in-2017-app-list-for-slps-sorted-by-goal-area/.
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Sample pages (23 page PDF):
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Price: $59.95
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Where to purchase:
* https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publication_cwslpa.htm
* https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Workbook-Speech-Language-Pathology-Assistants/dp/1597568902
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For ongoing ideas related to use of apps in therapy, be sure to follow Jackie on social media:
* https://www.facebook.com/ACTbyJackieBryla
* http://actbyjackiebryla.com
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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{Book Review} Talk With Me! The Big Book of Exclamations 2 by Teri Kaminski-Peterson, MS, CCC-SLP

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{Book Review} Talk With Me! The Big Book of Exclamations 2 by Teri Kaminski-Peterson, MS, CCC-SLP

The colorful digital illustrations on six 2-page spreads depict diverse families in daily routines and common settings:

  • bedroom / waking up
  • kitchen / mealtime
  • front yard / time to go
  • park / birthday party and playing on playground
  • bathroom / bathtime and brushing teeth
  • bedroom / bedtime

Instead of a story to read, each 2 page spread has words near each item and ideas for targeting specific early developing gestures, sounds, words, and phrases. The book also contains tips for using the book at the beginning and information at the end regarding typical speech & language development and what to do if you have concerns about your child’s skills.

My thoughts: Although most experienced SLPs may already know how to modify reading of picture books in this fashion, this book would provide great inspiration for new SLPs and for parents looking for ways to use picture books to enhance early developing speech & language skills. It is well worth the price and highly recommended for those individuals.  Given the targeted age range, it would be nice to see a board book version offered that would stand up well to repeated use in therapy sessions and self-exploration by toddlers. I’m very careful with my books in therapy so this has not been an issue for me but is something to consider when using books with very young children.

Purchase:

My suggestion is to compare all your options, including shipping costs, to determine the best deal.

The author also offers a two-sided laminated placemat of scenes from the kitchen & park for $5.00 + shipping.

Website: http://chatterboxbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Big-Book-of-Exclamations-299776487030/

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with over 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

Two Fun Books for SLPs: When a Dragon Moves In & When a Dragon Moves in Again by Jodi Moore

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I love using fabulous kids picture books in my work as a Speech-Language Pathologist! I have well over a thousand of them and have them organized by themes in tubs and on bookshelves at home. It’s fun to swap out the books in the basket at work for the activities & themes I have planned that week.  I especially like books that are a “fun read” either because of the rhyming text or the hilarious story line. Here are two recent additions to my collection that fit in the “hilarious story line” category:

When a Dragon Moves In

I love the colorful illustrations (even the end sheets are fully illustrated), imaginative story, and lots of opportunities for spatial concepts, adjectives, verbs, and interpreting pictured events from different perspectives.

Peek inside the book: http://www.flashlightpress.com/flipbooks/dragonFlipbook/Default.html

Book reading:

Building a Story is Like Building a Sandcastle – A Parent/Teacher Guide for using When a Dragon Moves Into introduce the components of a story: http://www.flashlightpress.com/files/Building_a_Story_is_Like_Building_a_Sandcastle.pdf

Draw a Sandcastle free printable: http://www.flashlightpress.com/files/Draw_Sandcastle.pdf

Visualization activity & free printable: http://dailylearningtothecore.blogspot.co.il/2013/05/mentor-text-when-dragon-moves-in.html?showComment=1367776162621

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When a Dragon Moves In Again

This sequel has colorful illustrations (even the end sheets are fully illustrated), imaginative story, and lots of opportunities for spatial concepts, adjectives, verbs, and expected vs. unexpected behavior and feelings when a new baby joins the family.

Peek inside the book: http://www.flashlightpress.com/flipbooks/dragonagainFlipbook/Default.html

(I couldn’t find a good video of the book being read aloud but the peek inside the book on the publisher’s website will give you an idea of what it’s like)

Can you find? free printable: http://www.flashlightpress.com/files/Can_You_Find2.pdf

 

More activities for both books: http://www.flashlightpress.com/Activity_Guides.html

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids: http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
YappGuru: http://yappguru.com/user/omazing-kids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.

{App Review} Fido & Pumpkin Position Words

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{App Review} Fido & Pumpkin Position Words

I am LOVING this new app to teach 14 position words and spatial concepts! It has lovely handcrafted illustrations, high quality kids voiceovers, an intuitive interface, an option to toggle off background music and the app actually teaches the concepts rather than just “testing” them. If the child misses an item, there is no aversive feedback. Instead the app shows the child what their answer would look like and provides another opportunity to answer. It is a bargain for $1.99! Their website indicates that this the first of 4 apps they are developing. I can’t to see what other gems they have planned 😃

App Store: https://appsto.re/us/M5U9fb.i, iOS Universal, $1.99

About the app: Fido, the dog and Pumpkin, the cat teach young children the meaning of position words. Colorful, handcrafted, animated illustrations are used to demonstrate the words: in, in front, next to, behind, outside, beside, under, on, up, down, around, over, on top and between. This program identifies the words children are unsure of by allowing them to choose the answer to a question or the missing part of a sentence. If an incorrect choice is made an animation demonstrates the difference between their choice and the correct answer. For those who are not yet confident in reading, all answer options are fully audible.

Features include:

  • an eye button to start and repeat animations
  • an ear button to listen to text on the page
  • paw prints that direct the children to the next item or to try again if they missed an item
  • a home button to return to the menu screen
  • a play all button that leads to a celebration screen
  • reward animations for correct answers.

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Android versions are also available but are priced slightly more. See links on their website: http://fidoandpumpkin.com/index.php/store/

Be sure to check out the free resources on their website & “like” their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fidoandpumpkin.

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Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness & educational activities for kids of all abilities
Facebook Messaging for OMazing Kids:
http://m.me/OMazingKidsYoga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
AppPeeps Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OMazingKidsAppPeeps/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omazingkids
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741
Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad
Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com
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Angela Moorad is the founder of OMazing Kids, LLC and is an ASHA certified & licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Kids Yoga Teacher with 27 years experience working in a variety of settings (early intervention, schools, teletherapy & a nonprofit pediatric rehab hospital for children with developmental disabilities). She is an app beta tester for educational & therapeutic app developers and loves sharing info about great apps, products, books & toys to use with kids of all abilities.