Staying at Home
During this unprecedented time of facing a worldwide pandemic, many of us are suddenly working from home and navigating the challenge of schools, therapy clinics, recreational and sports facilities temporarily closing. We, at BridgingApps, have been busy gathering technology resources to help families adjust to this temporary new normal. Keep reading for fun ways to stay connected while apart and tools for getting stuff done. Or, how about apps to help your family not just survive, but to thrive while at home? And, last but definitely not least, we have tips for keeping everyone safe while they are likely spending more time online. We hope your family finds these tools helpful.
How to Set a Timer on an iPad/iPhone to Limit Usage
Fun Ways to Connect with Family & Friends
[1]ZOOM Cloud Meetings
By Zoom
ZOOM Cloud Meetings is a user-friendly video meeting website and app that is FREE! Using the basic (free) account, users can host an unlimited number of meetings that last up to 40 minutes. Subscription options for longer meetings range from $14.99- $19.99 per month.
Price: FREE
Read Full BridgingApps Review [4]
[5]Google Duo
By Google LLC
Google Duo allows video communication with friends and family whether they are in your backyard or miles away with voice and video calls. Now making it easier than ever to connect Android devices and iOS (Apple) devices.
Price: FREE
Read Full BridgingApps Review [8]
Tools for Getting Stuff Done
[9]Genius Scan – PDF Scanner
By The Grizzly Labs
Genius Scan-PDF Scanner is a free app for your iPhone, iPad, and Android phone that scans documents using your mobile device’s camera and then creates a PDF that you can save, share, or print.
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [10]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [12]
[13]Notarize
By Notarize, Inc.
Notarize is an app that allows you to get a document notarized on any day at any time no matter where you might be at the time. It is available on the App Store for iPhones and iPads, but can also be used online on any computer or tablet.
Price: FREE (Cost to notarize is currently $25 per document)
Available for iOS [14]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [16]
Keeping Kids Safe on iPhones & iPads 2020: Set up Screentime, Downtime, & Restrictions
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/practical-tools-for-learning-anywhere/
Not Just Surviving, But Thriving!
[17]Libby, By OverDrive
By OverDrive, Inc.
Libby, by Overdrive is a free app that connects you to your public library virtually. Just log in using your library card, set up your free account with an email address and password, and you are ready to go!
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [18]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [20]
[21]PictureThis – Plant Identifier
By Glority Global Group Ltd.
Picture this is a free app that allows the use of your device’s camera to instantly identify plants. Users are not only given the name of the plant, but also tips for caring for the plant and beautiful plant pictures from around the world. Great companion to a walk through the neighborhood or park!
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [22]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [24]
[25]Skyview Lite
By Terminal Eleven LLC
Skyview is an app that turns mobile devices into a virtual telescope. It uses your location to overlay your view of the sky onto your camera view. Skyview locates planets, stars, constellations, and a few of the brightest satellites that orbit the earth.
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [26]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [27]
[28]
Smiling Mind
By Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a meditation and mindfulness app that allows users to practice those skills in different settings, such as the classroom or the workplace.
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [29]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [31]
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/their-tears-and-fears-masks-and-more-how-to-really-help-your-child-thrive-in-the-new-normal/
You Got This: Tips for Keeping Everyone Safe Online
We have gathered some tools for helping you keep your family safe online. How about an app that lets you control screentime and what content your children are able to see? We also have several helpful tutorial videos with tips from our BridgingApps team for setting timers, setting up screentime, internet safety tips, and even helpful apps to get you through the day!
[32]
Parental Control App – OurPact
By Eturi Corp.
Parental Control & Screen Time is a simple family locator and parental control app that allows parents to locate family members and limit screen time by blocking internet and app access. Families can manage multiple children and devices. From the dashboard, parents can quickly and easily block texting and specific apps, control screen time, and even locate family members.
Price: FREE
Available for iOS [33]
Read Full BridgingApps Review [35]
Digital Safety Tips for Parents (2 minute read with downloadable PDF instructions) [36]
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/summer-internet-surfing-keeping-kids-safe-online/
Must Have Apps for Busy Parents- Video tutorial on apps to help throughout the day
If you are interested in searching for more apps on productivity, recreation, stress relief , and so much more, please go to BridgingApps.org [37]. BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, is a community of parents, therapists, doctors and teachers who share information about using mobile devices with people who have special needs. [32]
Amy Fuchs is the Program Coordinator at BridgingApps and a former special education teacher.
Amy Barry is the Content Manager and Editor at BridgingApps and mother of five children.
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. We share a passion for using mobile technology to enhance the lives of people of all ages with disabilities.
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/digital-safety-an-ongoing-conversation/
Helpful Articles
- Staying Calm While in the Chaos of the Storm [38]
- 6 Ways Help Special Needs Families During The Pandemic [39]
- New Insights learned from being in lockdown [40]
- You Don’t Need to Leave Your House to Have an Adventure [41]
- Coronavi…yesss!? Do You Find You’re Saying “Yes” More Often? [42]
- Their Tears and Fears. Masks and More: How to Really Help Your Child Thrive in the New Normal [43]
- How to Protect Your Mental Health During Coronavirus [44]
- Staying at Home Tech Tips to Help Throughout Your Day [45]
- Practical Tools for Learning Anywhere [46]
- Oxygen: Caring for Ourselves to Care for Our Children [47]
- How to Make Halloween Fun During Covid-19 [48]
- How to Plan a Safe and Fun Summer With COVID-19 Guidelines [49]
- Got Pumpkin Plates? How to Teach Social Distancing Using Pumpkin Plates [50]
- Teach Your Kids to Social Distance With the Help of a Lobster [51]
This post originally appeared on our May/June 2020 Magazine [52]