Hands up if you were of a generation that when you were looking for information you would resort to a World Book Encyclopedia or Britannica? We didn't have a huge library of books in my childhood, however, I do remember these weighty books being a fountain of knowledge when needed. 

This generation of children have the priviledge of having information at their fingertips.  The digital world has truly brought information that may not have been easily accessible in the past, straight to our kids.  Children can explore, examine, investigate, discover and learn from their home or classroom about the incredible world we live in through this app.

Monash University's "MWorld" is an app that fosters learning in our children.  It was designed by a field of academics including the Dean and Deputy Dean of Education at Monash University as well as teachers, astronomers, physicists, linguists, artists, musicians, historians, archaeologists, geographers, biologists, medical researchers, engineers, volcanologists (I didn't know that was a word) and more!

The "MWorld" app contains 10 subject areas (in the full paid version) including animals, art & music, early civilisations, the human body, language & culture, the modern world, the natural world, people & places, space and the wonders of science.  Each subject is presented with subcategories which are mapped out for your child to explore.  There is a narration option also for each subject and subcategories. 

Each section has incredible photography and graphics. As I explored the app, I felt a child-like curiosity to find out more, to watch the video clips, enlarge photos, play the inbuilt games and answer questions.  

This app is designed for primary-school aged children (ie. 8-12 years) and is suitable for home or the classroom.  I don't think that I will be using this in a therapeutic context (yet). There are features which allow children to collect points the more they answer questions.  

Teachers will love the "inquiry-based learning", lesson plans and teacher's guides that show how it might map to your curriculum needs.  American teachers, you can also access teacher guides mapped to the US common core state standards (CCSS). Teachers are able to download a free trial for their classrooms.

Parents may also download this app for free with limited subject titles.  Further titles may be purchased and continue to be developed. This app is currently available for apple devices, however it will soon be available for android as well.

Miss 8 years gave "MWorld" a test run and loved it immediately! She was able to navigate through subjects of interest and explore subjects she may not have thought about before.  The videos were especially appealing as were the games and ability to collect points.  The app "taps into" a curious mind, fostering inquiry and discovery. A word of warning that the "Human Body" section does discuss reproduction and you may want to discuss this with your child prior to opening this subject. 

The navigation in this app is set to improve with the next upgrade.  You will be able to go straight to the subject area by clicking it on the map.

The "MWorld" app has the information of a traditional encyclopedia, the photographs of a National Geographic magazine, the narration of a David Attenborough documentary, the subject mapping of a Museum with so much more as it encourages inquiry and learning.  I highly recommend this app!

For more information you can refer to the following - 
MWorld website here: https://www.discovermworld.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discover.mworld
Twitter: https://twitter.com/discovermworld
Instagram: https://instagram.com/discovermworld/

Download the app here -  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/discover-mworld/id809515973?mt=8.

Let me know if you download this app and what you {or your children} think of it!

The "MWorld" app was gifted to me by Monash University. I received no remuneration for this post and will receive no commission from any purchases of this app.  All opinions expressed are my own and based on my expertise, experience and personal opinion. 

A couple of weeks ago I had a "light globe moment"! I was attending a professional development course when the speaker put on some music and the whole audience started to wiggle, jump, shake, march and stop.  It dawned on me that I have actually heard this music and have even sung it and danced to it before at a local playgroup that I help to run.

The speaker was Genevieve Jereb, an Occupational Therapist with years of experience working in the US and Australia.  Genevieve is also a songwriter and has produced a number of CDs designed to "use the principles of sensory processing theory to create music, songs and rhythmic activities for children with attention, motor and regulation difficulties".

"Jumpin' Jelly Beans" is a collection of 19 original songs which have simple melodies, are light-hearted and full of fun. The CD comes with a 24-page booklet with song lyrics and activity details for each song.  Activity instructions correspond with the lyrics of the song.  
For example, in "Starfish"
             I'm a small as a bug (crouch down small)
             I'm as tall as a tree (stand tall with hands shooting above head)
             I'm as wide as a bridge (lift arms horizontal)
             I'm a wave on the sea (use arms to make wave motion).

There is a short description of the goal for each song. For example, "STARFISH is a movement song to enhance attention, alertness and body awareness.  Also teaches adjectives and comparatives".

Here is a video of the "Starfish" song {note: if you are reading this in an email, please click on the title of the article to take you to a live webpage to view the vide0}.

During the course "The Traffic Jam in My Brain", Genevieve spoke about music as a powerful regulator and that giving instruction through song or some kind of rhythmic rhyme or rap is neurologically much easier for the brain to organise. She also spoke on developing your own music library to find music that is alerting, calming, grounding, regulating in pulse or beat, low frequency and predictable, motivating and fun, activating and current. This CD is a perfect addition to your music library.

Without knowing it, I have been singing and dancing to Gen Jereb's songs for years.  They are always popular with the preschoolers that come along to the playgroup that I help to run. Our favourites are "Hip Hop, Milkshake, Penguin Song, Push my Blues Away and Ready Set Go!" We use an ipod at playgroup so I had not looked at the CD booklet before.  Now that I have seen the booklet, I'm impressed with how the songs and actions have been developed to provide sensory benefits! I'm ready to find some new favourite songs and learn some new dance moves too {those of you who know I'm a horrible dancer with have a chuckle here}.  

The "Jumpin' Jelly Beans" CD will appeal to kids of all abilities and ages {particularly preschool and early school-age kids}.  It may be used through out the day in classrooms, homes, cars and clinics to entertain and provide "ready-to-use rhythmic songs and activities to support self regulation for the out of sync child".

Do you use music to help kids to regulate their sensory systems? 

Note: This article contains affiliate links to iTunes and Amazon.  All opinions expressed in this article are my own and are written based on my personal and professional opinion. I purchased the "Jumpin' Jelly Beans" CD and have no affiliation with Sensory Tools.net.

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Last week I attended the  'Apps in Practice: Developmental Paediatrics' webinar held by the Australian OT Association.  Here is a summary of the webinar conducted by Yolanda Fernandez, Dr Fiona Jones (On Call Children's Therapy network) and Kate Horstmann. The motivation for the workshop was clinical sharing rather than as technology experts with the focus on apps to use WITH children, not functions that we use to support ourselves as professionals. 

Context

• Ipads should be used as an adjunct to therapy.  Consider what are your therapy goals?  What is your clinical reasoning with using an ipad?  does the ipad add anything?  How do you generalise skills learnt on the ipad?
  
• Parent/teacher education is an important element of using an ipad.
• Consider family culture of technology use and financial implications.

Benefits

• Motivation
• consistent, immediate sensory timuli
• visually engaging
• independence
• socially acceptable
• access/portability across multiple settings
• alternative medium to produce "written" output

Challenges

• Screen time = release of dopamine (impacts on release of dopamine at other times and attention).
• Screen time needs to counteracted with physical activity (current guideline is 30 mins screen time = 30 minutes physical activity, maximum 2 hours total screen time for 6 years+).  Screen time undoes what we are developmentally wired to do.  ie. children are not using peripheral vision and dependent on high level of stimulation therefore they find it difficult to cope when there isn't that same level of stimulation (which in turns impacts attention needed for activities such as reading).
• Postural implications (leaning over, raised shoulders)
• Difficulty transitioning when the ipad is removed
• Children demanding control of the ipad
• Screen time before bed affects ability to go to sleep

Self Care (Routines, Sleep, Specific Tasks, Daily Living Skills)

• Creating Routines - iPrompts, Morning Kids
  
• Sleep and Relaxation - iTunes with timer, Nature Music, Calm Kids
• Aussie Kids Count Coins (basic maths with money)

Productivity (learning to write, word processing, organisation, fine and visual-motor skills)

• Elmo Loves ABCs
  
• rED writing- learn to write
  
• Doodoo Lite
• Pages, Notability and Microsoft Office Exchange (word processing basics)
• Flick, Keedogo Plus (typing)
• Audionote, dragon dictation, iReadWrite, WriteOnline (accessibility and voice to text)
• Spelling Test
• Endless Reader (Sight word learning - note: this is American)

Organisation and Planning 

• Use ipad features such as visual timer and clocks, to do lists, calendar and remiinder

Fine & visual motor skills

• Consider games such as Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Puss in Boots, Minecraft, Temple Run
• Dexteria Jr.
• Dexteria

Leisure (social, communication, self-regulation, confidence) 

• Toontastic {review for this app in the pipeline}
• Zones of Regulation
• Talking Ginger and others (for communication skills)
• Using video feedback (including Skype and Facetime) for non-verbal communication practice such as facial expression.

Universal Functions (can be used in any of the previous performance areas and for "pulling together" therapy strategies)

• Book Creator (ibook/PDF)
• iMovie

For App reviews 

• www.commonsensemedia.org
  
• Autism QLD
  
• Spectronics
  
• SPELD
  

Access and Controls

• Understanding and being aware of accessibility and controls that can be put in place
• setting restrictions (parent controls)

Summary

• great resource
  
• adjunct to therapy -not a therapy session
  
• constantly changing and evolving
  

This was a great workshop to attend.  I particularly liked hearing about the challenges to using iPads and learning about some apps that I haven't used before.  The apps that I have reviewed on this site have links for further information. 

Have you considered counteracting screen time with physical activity? 

Is there an app that you are currently using that you would recommend?

You may also like to read about the following apps...

The Crayola DigiTools Deluxe pack contains a digital crayon, digital airbrush, digital 3-D stylus, digital stamper and 3-D glasses!  These tools come in a neat clip-on carrying case, perfect to transport these tools.

Well why get one stylus when you can get a whole pack? You can use the Crayola Digitools with free apps designed by Crayola... ie. Crayola Effects App, 3-D App and Airbrush App.  These apps are free to download from the itunes store.  

Whilst Crayola recommend the use of these three apps with these DigiTools, there are a number of other apps created by Griffin Technology where these tools can also be used such as "Crayola Paint and Create" and "Crayola Color Studio HD".   Most of these apps are unfortunately unavailable on Android, however please check as the developers are constantly working on this.  The "Digitools Paint Pack App" is available for both Android and ipad.

The 3-D stylus and 3-D glasses are fantastic for motivation.  The digital stamper is suitable for toddlers and produces lots of pictures quickly.  The digital crayon is the most versatile of the pack and can be used for a number of drawing applications.  It is easy to hold and has a large soft point for easy drawing and colouring.  Most of the apps recommended by Crayola enable use of multiple tools within the same app.

We have also used the digital crayon with non-Crayola apps such as Lazoo Squiggles, Dexteria Jr andrED writing. It is a great stylus to use with toddlers, preschoolers and young school aged children. 

You can purchase Crayola Digitools from a number of retailers.  I purchased our set from Ezibuy (known for ladies fashion although they have a home and gift section).  If you are not in Australia, you may purchase this from Amazon (click on the image below for the link). 

This set of digital tools will be popular in any household and is a great asset to a therapist's toolkit!

Have you used a stylus with ipad apps? 

I have not received any remuneration for this article.  All comments and opinions are my own and I purchased this set.  I do not have an affiliate link with Ezibuy at the present time.  I do have an affiliate link with Amazon.

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Water beads or water marbles are these amazing little super-absorbent polymers.  They have traditionally been used by florists in flower arranging but in the last few years "water beads" have become THE must-have material for sensory play.  Edible water beads (aka tapioca pearls) have also surfaced as the new "must-have".

If you haven't seen these water beads before.  Here is a collage of how they work.  Place the beads (which are super tiny) into a large bowl or container.  Add 6 cups of water and watch them grow for 6 hours.  Drain away any excess water.  You can play with them before that time but they will continue to grow if more water is added. They grow to 150 times their original size.  Amazing for kids of all ages to watch (not for the whole 6 hours). 

The water beads become firm balls which are bouncy and slippery.  You can also allow the beads to dry out and re-use them by adding water to the beads again. 

There are plenty of activities you can do with water beads.  The water beads are great in a large tray or container as a sensory material.  Kids will love scooping, pouring, sorting, mixing and stirring.

We have also built a simple marble run for water bead races using household rolls, plastic containers and lots of masking tape!  Despite how "homemade" it looks, both Mr 4 and Miss almost-8 enjoy racing the beads and watching them go from top to bottom.  

The water beads have also found themselves in bath play where they are like treasure to be sought and scooped. Combined with some shaving cream and ice-cream creations were made. 

Have your kids played with water beads? What do they enjoy doing with them?

These water beads were given to our family as a gift and were originally purchased from an Australian Company (Nic-Nac). This is not a sponsored post and I have not received remuneration for the comments made here.

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Do you have a child starting big school next year? or did they just start (for my northern hemisphere readers)?

"Follow the Line to School" by Laura Ljungkvist is a clever picture book for kids.  It encourages your child to journey through the book by following the line (which can be traced with their finger).  The line travels around letters and pictures on each page to lead you to different aspects of school life including the classroom, the library, the playground, etc.

Starting school can be daunting for kids.  A new environment with new faces and new expectations. Reading books such as this one can help your child to prepare for school by becoming familiar with what they might see there.

Follow the Line to school is full of fantastic pictures and a few questions on each page to prompt discussion with your child about the school environment.  Along the way, you may also identify colours and letters, count objects and of course follow the line.  These are great "school readiness" skills to encourage.  

This book also encourages a number of visual perceptual skills such as eye-hand coordination, visual scanning, figure ground and discrimination skills.  

I would highly recommend this book and others in the "Follow the Line" series! They make a great gift too.  "Follow the Line to school" is available from the Book Depository.

Is your child looking forward to starting big school?

Dexteria Jr is one in a series of apps by Binlary Labs Inc, designed in collaboration with Occupational Therapists.
 
Dexteria Jr. includes hand and finger exercises that are designed to help develop fine motor skills and handwriting readiness. Dexteria Jr is designed with children 2-6 year olds in mind (ie. preschoolers), however I have found it great for older kids who are continuing to work on pre-writing skills such asfluency and pencil control.

Dexteria Jr contains 3 main activities which contain various levels within each activity.  These activities are "Squish the Squash", "Trace and Erase" and "Pinch the Pepper".

Trace and Erase is a series of paths that require fluent motion of the finger to draw. There are 29 levels with a progression from straight lines, diagonals, zig zags to more complicated paths with multiple turns.

At each level, the user needs to start at the green arrow and draw along the path to the star (ie. trace). The next step is to drag the eraser along the previously drawn path to reveal the ipad screen underneath (ie. erase).  When all the lines or paths have been erased then it is time to pull a funny face and have your photo taken.   Each time the photo is "distorted" like looking at those funny mirrors at amusement parks.  Kids really love this aspect of the app and it is a motivating factor in finishing the paths.

I like to encourage the use of a stylus with this app as I think you can achieve even more goals in a therapy session. You can encourage a dynamic pencil grasp, pencil control, eye-hand coordination and visual perceptual skills.  

I would highly recommend this app for parents, teachers and therapists.  It targets fine motor and pre-writing skill development.  With the additional use of a stylus this app can be used well beyond the pre-school years that it was designed for.  I have found that I use this app the most often, in relation to the other Dexteria apps available. Whilst they have merit, this app has the fun, variety and skill focus that is of the most use to me as therapist.

Here is a video demonstrating the use of the app produced by the developers.  If you are receiving this post via email, you may need to click on the title of this post (which will take you to a live web page) before being able to view the video.

Have you tried Dexteria Jr.? What do your kids think of it?

Note:  This app is not currently available for Android.  I noticed that the original Dexteria app is available for Android. Please contact the developer for information about this app becoming available for Android users.   


This article contains affiliate links.  I have not received remuneration for this article and all opinions are my own.

Today, I am excited to introduce Julie Jones from "Have Wheelchair Will Travel".  The website is full of practical information for wheelchair users and their families in regard to travelling locally and overseas. 

2.  What are your top tips for travelling with someone who uses a wheelchair?
We started travelling locally to work out what we needed in accommodation, equipment and what was a priority for our family when holidaying.  Putting time into researching a destination, accommodation and the surrounding area will ensure that a holiday will go smoothly.  My best tip is to research online and then phone the hotel or apartment direct.  Never assume that reservation’s staff will know what you need in a hotel room.  Be specific with your questions regarding access and bathroom features in particular.  Book early as accessible rooms go quickly and accessible cabins on cruises are booked out more than six months in advance.

Lastly, if you have a child with a disability and you know that a wheelchair is going to be a part of your life in the future, I suggest going to the more difficult locations while they are young.  We travelled to New Zealand and Kakadu when BJ was younger and still able to fit in a back carrier. It meant we could do hikes that we could never do with a wheelchair now.

3. What is the most memorable travel experience you have had as a family?
We have many wonderful holiday memories which I feel bond us as a family.  Disneyland holds an incredibly special place in our hearts as it was where we had our first family overseas holiday.  There is a magic to Disneyland that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.  It is accessible and easy which helps makes it a good destination for us.  The quote on a statue of Walt Disney sums it up, “I think most of all what I want Disneyland to be is a happy place ........where parents and children can have fun, together.”  Walt Disney succeeded in making a place where adults embrace their inner child and children see another side of their parents.  This is our most memorable holiday to date.

4.  What have you found the most challenging about travelling as a family?
Flying long-haul is definitely our biggest challenge.  Most people find airline seating uncomfortable and it is even more so for BJ and for us caring for him. My hope is that in the future airlines recognise this and make allowances for people with a disability and their families with bulk-head seating available for those with the need.

 Our other challenge is fitting in as much as possible at our holiday destination.  I always like to make the most of a destination and see it all.  It is trickier when a wheelchair is involved.  At each stop we transfer BJ in and out of the car and the wheelchair in and out of the van.  We don’t like BJ to miss out on anything so my husband will bump the wheelchair upstairs if they prove an obstacle, push up a steep hill to get to a look-out and transfer BJ in and out of the car as often as necessary.  It is tiring but we think it is worth it.  It is all manageable but it does require planning and research so it is less carefree than our travel from years gone by.

5.  What can we find on the “Have Wheelchair Will Travel” website?
The website is a mixture of travel tips and stories about how we have managed a particular stage of BJ’s development.  I like to share as much as I can to help others with a child with a disability so it is not all about travel as I understand not everyone is in a position to do so.  I have done stories on gifts for children with special needs, birthday party ideas and my experience finding a pre-school for BJ.

The main focus is providing ideas and practical tips on travelling like how to book an accessible hotel and specific information on destinations.  I include stories on our experience flying with BJ, what to expect at security check points and share lots of photos.  There is only one rule, it must be positive.  I will point out tricky situations but I want to provide positive stories that give families the confidence to give it a go.

6. Are you planning your next holiday? If so, where are you going?
There are no definite plans at the moment but Hawaii is on the top of my list.  I’m always mentally planning a holiday but work and school commitments don’t allow me to put them all into action.

7.  Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I think having a family member with a disability is a constant learning curve. 
We have found that making time to share fun times as a family is vital to helping with the tough times. 
Ensure you surround yourself with supportive friends, family and therapists.
Consistency is the key to successful outcomes when it comes to therapy.  BUT make sure therapy is done in a fun and purposeful way and your child will be more willing to participate.
Trust your own ability to know what is right for your child and seek it out. 
Take time out for yourself as a parent.  You need to look after yourself.

Thank you Julie for sharing your insights and experiences.  You are an inspiration to those who have contemplated travel with a family member with a disability, providing practical and honest reviews of your travelling experiences.  I have enjoyed reading about accessible playgrounds around Sydney too!

You can find links to Julie's website and FB page here.  Let her know that Your Kids OT sent you.  

Have Wheelchair Will Travel webpage
Have Wheelchair Will Travel FB page

If you know a great website that you would like featured here at Your Kids OT Website Spotlight, let me know via [email protected]. 

What is your most memorable travel experience?

I have prescribed weighted vests when working with children with Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  Weighted products may also benefit children with ADHD, anxiety, depression or other mental health difficulties.

Weighted vests or blankets may be used at various times throughout a day.  It is not recommended that they are used continuously all day.  A weighted vest or blanket may be used as a part of a sensory diet providing gentle deep pressure at chosen times (eg. during reading on the floor, during homework time, at night during sleep, etc).

Sensory Calm is a Sydney based company specialising in chain weighted vests and blankets for children and adults.  There are different size and weight options available, depending on the size of the person using the vest or blanket.  The chains in the blanket are arranged in longitudinal channels.  The weighted chains are sewn into the blanket and vest and can not be removed without damaging the product.  The vest comes with three clips across the body which are difficult for a child to release on their own {which is a good thing}. 

The vests and blankets are TGA approved, hypoallergenic, machine washable on a 60 gentle program and they are made from a Fire retardant fabric.  

Sensory Calm are able to arrange a trial of these products and further information may also be obtained from their website. There is valuable information including links to case studies.

Sensory Calm recently provided me with a chain weighted vest and blankets for trial. I was impressed with the quality of the products and the guidelines provided when introducing the products for the first time. 

A brief trial of the chain weighted vest and blankets was conducted with Joshua, aged 6 years from Sydney {name changed for privacy}.  

Background information:
Joshua is in Kindergarten in a mainstream school in Sydney.  He was seen for an Occupational Therapy assessment in 2013 (by a different OT).  At the time, he demonstrated difficulty with multi-sensory processing (interpreting information from several sources at once), problem solving and motor planning (planning out and carrying out solutions to motor based problems with his body).  Whilst at preschool, Joshua had difficulty persisting with a task he found challenging.  He also had some difficulty with fine motor skills and had not established a hand dominance.

Product trial:  Joshua was given the weighted vest and blankets from Sensory Calm to trial over a period of 4 weeks.  The vest and comforter (small blanket) were used during "quiet activities" such as playing Lego on the floor or watching television.  Joshua used the comforter most nights when sleeping.

Parental observation: Joshua was always relaxed and content with using the weighted vest of comforter.  He sought the weighted vest on 2 occasions.  He was unable to identify why he wanted the weighted vest and would say that he was "cold".  Joshua loved sleeping with the comforter.

Additionally, Joshua's siblings also enjoyed the sleeping with the comforter and using it during the day.  Whilst they do not have identified Sensory Processing difficulties, they found the blanket comforting.  

Joshua's family are investigating the purchase of the comforter from Sensory Calm.

A big thank you to Joshua and his family for trialling these products and allowing their story to be told here.  The photographs on this page are not of Joshua.

Would your child benefit from trialling a weighted vest or blanket?

This is a sponsored post by Sensory Calm. I was compensated for my time in writing this post. Reviews and endorsements of products are only made based on my expertise and personal opinion, and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. 

For more information about sensory processing, refer to the following articles:

For maze lovers and those working on visual perceptual skills, the iMazing! app has 14 levels to challenge you. Mazes help children to develop eye hand coordination skills, visual motor integration, problem solving and concentration skills.  

The visual layout of this app is very simple - light green path and dark greed background.  A green line is drawn as you draw your path through the maze.  If you make an error and go back through the maze then the path turns red.

The app is suitable for kids 4 years and older, with some adults finding the higher levels challenging. The app allows you to select the level that you want to complete so you are not required to complete all the levels sequentially.  You can also repeat a level with several different mazes and stop during any level.  The app has no recording function to remember which mazes have been completed.

The app is plain and does not have any characterisation or motivation for finishing the app.  Some children will find the nature of the app with increasing levels of difficulty motivation enough, where other children may find this "boring" especially if they have visual perceptual difficulties.