App Review: Let's Learn How To Draw!

Let's Learn How To Draw by Playtend.
Available for iphone and ipad.
Cost: Free (with inapp ads)

For iphone

For ipad

This app contains lessons for learning to draw dinosaurs, dogs, trains and monsters.  Each category contains five lessons ranging from easy to hard.  The app enables the user to colour in the picture (with or without learning to draw first) and a scratchpad for independent drawing.

Each lesson is taught with a visual step by step approach.  The model is drawn and the section for you to draw is revealed with a red line.  This is great for children who have difficulty with visual motor skills and spatial awareness. The marks that are required to "draw" are not precise so a mark in the general area will "work".   There is an option to save work and there is a left-hand mode to switch the drawing area during the lesson.

Older kids could be encouraged to draw the pictures onto paper after observing each step.  Some kids will have difficulty concentrating to complete a drawing as some pictures have 58 steps to complete {that's a LOT of steps!}.  On the other hand each step is often so small and quick to complete.

I actually would not recommend using a stylus for this app.  The steps are too small and do not need any precision to complete.

I encourage all kids (of ages) to draw and experiment with drawing.  It is very important in helping with visual motor planning and spatial organisation for handwriting.  Here are some benefits of drawing.

The Benefits of Drawing for Children Include:

• Learning to plan and execute their ideas.
• Improving their fine motor skills.
• Increasing their ability to observe the world around them.
• Developing more awareness of spatial relationships.
• Strengthening critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Building self-confidence and independence.

(source: Drawing for Kids) 

"Scratchpad" allows you to create your own drawing with a few brush size options and colour options.

"Let's Learn How To Draw" app will appeal to some children (school age and older).  It can be used as a writing prompt for others (ie. learn to draw a picture and then write about it, using the picture as a character).  This app has been rated the #1 Education iPad app in the US.  

I do not recommend this app for toddlers and preschoolers.  There are a lot more options available with more animation and appeal (such as the Lazoo apps I've already reviewed).  An in-app purchase may be made to stop the ads from popping up during the use of this app.  This may not be an issue in therapy sessions, however may be distracting and difficult to manage at home.  

Do your kids like drawing or are they reluctant?