Back-To-School Tech Tips
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Tech Tips
As we get ready for school to start back up again, we begin thinking about the tasks our children are likely to be faced with soon. Has your child been reading or listening to stories to expand their vocabulary and strengthen comprehension? Has your child been practicing their fine motor skills to improve their handwriting? How about their math skills? If you answered no (like many of us who were just happy to have a break from the routine of homework and tests), no worries. We, at BridgingApps, have gathered a list of apps that could help with many of those school skills that likely move down the priority list during the summer (and your child just might actually enjoy this form of learning!)
Basic School Readiness
Khan Academy Kids is a free app that covers all areas of school readiness (reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, problem-solving skills, and motor development). Try using it to review as summer comes to a close.
Khan Academy Kids
By Khan Academy
Price: FREE
Handwriting
For many of us, watching our children struggle with handwriting can be a constant source of pain. Handwriting apps on an electronic tablet offer a more fun and engaging way to practice while providing instant feedback to your child.
Handwriting Without Tears
By Handwriting Without Tears & Get Set for School
Price: FREE
Letter Quiz: Alphabet Tracing
By Tantrum Apps
Price: $1.99
iTrace – handwriting for kids
By Michael Bogorad
Price: $3.99
Reading Skills
Because the opportunity for reading is all around us, our children are hearing and seeing things that strengthen their reading skills every day. The apps below offer ideas of games that can strengthen word attack skills and tools to turn any book or story into an audiobook using the camera on your mobile device.
CVC Words – Word Family Games
By Innovative Investments Limited
Price: $2.99
Action Verbs
By Innovative Investments Limited
Price: $0.99
MDA Avaz Reader
By Avaz, Inc.
Price: FREE
Speechify
By Speechify Inc.
Price: FREE
Time Management
How about some tools for getting that homework done in a timely manner or for getting back into those school routines? Visual timers have been used by special education teachers for years to keep students on track while completing activities. Now anyone can have them via many different apps available right on your smartphone or tablet. Here are just a few of the timer apps you can find in our app search tool:
Timer-Countdown for Parents
By Idea4e
Price: FREE
Children’s Countdown Timer
By Fehners Software LLP
Price: FREE
Visual task timer
By Erik Heitfield
Price: FREE
Math
You have likely been reinforcing many learned math skills all summer without realizing it. You have probably answered at least one of the following questions from your child this summer… How much longer will we be in the car? How many people will be at the party/family get-together? For a little more help, the apps below offer games to reinforce math skills!
Pet Bingo
By Duck Duck Moose LLC
Price: FREE
myBlee Math
By myBlee
Price: FREE
Mystery Math Town
By Artgig Studio
Price $3.99
Photomath
By Photomath, Inc.
Price: FREE
Cristen Reat is co-founder of BridgingApps and a mother who found success when using a mobile device with her children who have special needs. Amy Barry is the Content Manager and Editor at BridgingApps and mother of five children. Amy Fuchs is the Program Coordinator at BridgingApps and a former special education teacher.
Helpful Articles
- 7 Apps for Students with Special Needs Back to School Success!
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- App Tools for Back to School Success
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- IEP Tools at Your Fingertips
- School Tools for Success
- Handy School Tools Parents Will Love
- Tech Tools for family holiday cooking
- Break It Down Tech Tools for Task Analysis
- Keep It Simple Apps For Organization
Click here for more apps
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This post originally appeared on our July/August 2019 Magazine
