Tech the Halls and Transform Screen Time to Sharing Time
by
Cristen Reat 
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Gifting technology to a child during the holidays can be a terribly exciting experience. However, being chastised by well meaning relatives or friends about “too much screen” time can suck the joy right out of this thrilling time. Technology is woven into our everyday lives, and we parents have been bombarded by advice on a healthy balance of screen time in terms of quantity, such as limiting screen time or that kids today get too much screen time.
At BridgingApps we focus less on technology in terms of quantity, but on quality – that is, how we use technology with our children who have special needs. If used effectively and intentionally, we have found that it can be a fabulous tool for inclusion, engagement, creativity and sharing.
Music is the perfect way to bring people together during the holidays, whether it is cooking together, guiding a playdate with friends, or simply enjoying downtime together. Using music-specific mobile device apps can turn screen time into a holiday sing along or dance party creating priceless family memories. Let the sharing begin!
Music apps
YouTube
By Google, Inc.
Viewing Christmas songs on the YouTube app is a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Many feature a sing along version with words captioned at the bottom and animations to engage family members of all ages. We always recommend an adult be present to monitor children while using the YouTube app.
Price: FREE
Pandora – Free Music & Radio
By Pandora Media, Inc.
Pandora is a radio app that can be used to create personalized audio stations for listening to your family’s holiday favorites anytime anywhere. So, whether you are gathered around the Christmas tree or traveling, your family can enjoy.
Price: Free | Offers In-App Purchases
CanTunes
by University of Victoria
We love CanTunes, it allows individuals with cognitive and/or developmental delays to play music independently without the complexities of typical play, stop, pause, and shuffle buttons on regular music operating devices like a CD player or boombox. It has been used with children with cognitive disabilities, fine motor challenges and low vision. CanTunes promotes independence, builds confidence and reduces the need for constant adult or caregiver monitoring.
Price: FREE
BridgingApps
SnapType
By SNAPTYPE, LLC
SnapType for Occupational Therapy is an easy to use, intuitive app allowing completion of worksheets using the camera on an iPad to create an image and type answers on it. This free app greatly assists students who have handwriting difficulties, learning disabilities, low vision, low muscle tone and Parkinson’s.
Price: Free
Available for: iOS, Android
Duolingo – Language Lessons
By Duolingo
Duolingo is a free, interactive app that teaches new languages. Users can learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and many more on their mobile device. This app is entertaining, easy to use and motivating. Duolingo is ideal for ESL/ELL students, world language classes, and anyone who wants to become bilingual.
Price: Free | Offers In-App Purchases
Available for: iOS, Android
Khan Academy
By Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers offer 150,000 educational exercises with instant feedback. Great for typically developing students as well as those with learning disabilities, Khan Academy provides students the opportunity to learn almost anything free and at their own pace.
Price: Free
Available for: iOS, Android
Todo Math
By Enuma, Inc.
Todo Math is a wonderfully easy-to-use app designed for K-3rd grade. It uses visuals, auditory prompts and purposeful touch. This is a go-to favorite for many of our struggling learners. The app is colorful, extremely engaging and aligns with many curriculum standards.
Price: Free
Available for: iOS, Android
Avaz AAC
By Avaz
Avaz is an augmentative communication app for nonverbal children with autism and other disabilities. Avaz allows users to choose from an extensive list of core words and research based vocabulary to maximize their ability to communicate. Set vocabulary words with photographs or voice recordings to help create messages.
Price: Free | Offers In-App Purchases
Available for: iOS, Android
Price: Free
If you are interested in searching for more holiday apps, creating your own list of holiday apps and sharing them, please go to BridgingApps.org. 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.
Amy Barry is the Content Manager and Editor at BridgingApps and mother of five children.
Tara Rocha is the Digital Content Specialist with BridgingApps and mother of four young 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.
All share a passion for mobile technology in education.
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This post originally appeared on our November/December 2015 Magazine
