Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

Hands-on Use of Assistive Technology Learning in the Classroom

2020-05-11T20:47:00.002-04:00

By: Kimberly Chouinard, ECSEAT Scholar

Over the past few years I have taken a few courses in Assistive Technology though my program here at the University of New Hampshire. I have learned to “use what you have” for support or to make things accessible for learners. This semester I had a great experience with a student in my class that I would like to share.

A student in my class who experiences motor delays started to grow. That’s great! We love growth!

But, this growth caused seating issues and it takes time to fit, order and receive new equipment. He seemed to be growing out of his supportive chair and tray. His legs had grown and his feet where not well positioned on the foot support any longer. This growth caused his feet to slide off the foot support, kick out and limit accessibility to table activities with peers.

I took my concerns to our team. His nurse, Physical Therapist and I were able to identify the problem (i.e., the foot plate was now too short for his growing legs), then we problem solved some possible solutions and needed supplies!

Together we brainstormed some possible materials that would be supportive, not interfere with access to learning materials or meaningful peer interactions. We selected three, then four wooden building blocks, taped together with heavy duty masking tape in three places (see below). We secured the new foot support to the bars below the seat with the Velcro from the previous plate and checked for stability.

Use What You Have!

Supportive Chair and Tray

Four wooden building blocks taped together with heavy-duty masking tape

The supportive chair with the new foot support secured to the bars below the seat with the velcro from the previous plate

Building Your Classroom Environment Through Flexible Seating

2020-05-11T19:56:00.000-04:00

By: Caitlyn Pagnottaro, ECSEAT Scholar

There’s a lot of things that children tell us every day and a lot of messages that they send us, even if we don’t receive those messages verbally in a way that we can understand. That’s why as educators it’s important for us to have the ability to recognize whether a child can’t do something simply because it’s too difficult, or because we haven’t provided them an environment where they’re comfortable and capable of doing the work. That’s the whole idea behind flexible seating.

More and more educators in grades K – 3 are adding this into their practice where children get to choose their own workspaces. Traditionally, children would be introduced to their desk space labeled with their name, but instead teachers are introducing them to spaces that they can choose to work from such as crate chairs, exercise balls, kneeling tables and much more. It’s up to the student to choose where they think they’re going to do their best work. For a lot of children, it’s not ideal to be sitting in a rigid chair for prolonged periods of time, some of them need the small movement and flexibility that an exercise ball could provide, some of them just want to stand and do their work and that’s okay. We should allow for this kind of flexibility because when we allow children to make their own choices, they feel more empowered in their learning and I think it also makes them feel more driven.

We start forcing children to sit at assigned tables in kindergarten and with the transition into full day kindergarten programs; children are sitting at tables for even longer. I can imagine how much of a shock this would be to a young child who hasn’t been expected to sit in a chair and do work. This is so unnatural to a child in addition to already being in an unfamiliar environment. Classrooms need to be made to feel like a second home to children in a way that they feel more at ease and ready to learn. Children spend their entire day in a classroom so it makes sense that it begins to feel like home and we can help that transition become much smoother. A child who’s constantly looking around the room and can’t focus on their work isn’t a bad student and the question shouldn’t be “what’s wrong with this child?” Instead it should be, “what’s preventing this child from learning and what can we do to help them get past that obstacle?” Even more so we should be removing the obstacles altogether in order to make learning accessible for everyone. I know that when I’m in an environment that I’m unfamiliar with, around people I hardly know that I tend to be much more quiet. However, that’s not how I am all of the time and I know that when put in a setting that I’m familiar with, I’m much more outspoken and outgoing. As adults we know these little details about ourselves and if we know that this is how we are as adults, then we need to also realize that children are the same exact way. We need to think about how we would behave in an environment we’re not comfortable in and translate that into how a child would behave in an uncomfortable environment because their coping mechanisms aren’t as developed as ours are. Put a child in a setting that clearly makes them anxious and set them up to fail, but put them in a setting that makes them comfortable and happy and they’re going to show you skills you never even knew that they had.

Returning to the idea of flexible seating in the classroom, this allows children to make decisions and take charge in their learning which in turn would make them much more comfortable in their environment. Putting children in a situation where they’re able to make their own choices about the learning they do is the best way to ease their anxiety and help them to focus on the task at hand, whether it’s simply coloring or doing some word work. Giving a child choice automatically gives them much more of a sense of freedom that they didn’t have before. Forcing them to sit in an assigned spot and do work that’s challenging for them makes it almost impossible for some children instead of “just” challenging. Years and years ago we made furniture suitable for young children so they could feel as though the classroom was made just for them, now we need to take it a step further and create more spaces for learning so everyone feels ready to learn, no matter what their abilities are.

Reflection: How Cultural Influences Have Impacted Early Childhood Education

2020-05-11T19:50:00.001-04:00

By: Caitlyn Pagnottaro, ECSEAT Scholar

So much has changed since I was a young child starting school. Looking back I can see what we valued then compared to what we value today. I remember that I played a lot. If we had circle time and other structured parts of the day I don’t remember it. I remember playing. I remember playing with my friends at the time inside and outside of the classroom. The preschool/kindergarten that I attended was private and the play area that we had behind our building was amazing. At least from what I recall as a small child it was because everything around me seemed so much bigger. There was a huge climbing structure that I used to hang off of, or climb to the highest point as if I were on the top of the world. We had this playhouse that you could climb up to which my girlfriends and I would all go up to together and hangout and giggle. I can’t remember anything academic that we ever did in preschool unless it involved a book and that was always in fun. Thinking back on all of this, I know that we valued play as it’s so crucial in the development of children. Of course I played at home, but when I played at school I was exposed to many different things that I wasn’t exposed to at home, and a big part of that is being around other people. Sure I had done play groups prior to being in school, but this is different because now I was with children I never knew before school and we were going to be together every day, so we needed to learn how to get along. My patience, the way I empathize with others, my ability to problem solve can most likely be accredited to the fact that I spent a lot of my early education playing with peers and learning those crucial skills. I learned to be with children who were very much like me, and also those who were not like me at all, but how I can overcome that because it’s very possible.

We used to value play greatly just as all of our predecessors and theorists before us did. They knew the importance of play for a child and understood how beneficial it was to their development. I know that I for one not only carried so many wonderful memories of my childhood and school from play, but I also learned crucial skills that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Now I’m 24 and have been nothing but successful in my schooling, decided what I want to do for my career, completed my undergrad in preparation, and am now working on completing my masters to get what I want. I was never taught to hate school by having it forced on me at a young age. My teachers taught me how to love learning because they loved what they taught me and how they taught me.

The current cultural influences on early childhood education today are something I’m very passionate and opinionated about. I really do believe that we’re putting way to much pressure on our smallest learners and that it’s doing more harm than good. As I substitute teach a lot, it breaks my heart to walk past kindergarten classes and seeing them be skilled and drilled in their seats, not to mention for hours at a time now that there’s been a huge transition to full day kindergarten in America. Did we suddenly decide that 5-year-old children weren’t learning as much as we think that they’re supposed to so now we have to hold their attention span for even longer than it’s capable? How did we come to this conclusion when the same exact 5-year-olds that we’re skilling and drilling are constantly telling us that this work is too difficult for them and it’s frustrating for them and that’s why they’re having abnormal behaviors. Young children are spending more time with academics in school than they are learning crucial social-emotional developmental skills that they need to continue on in the rest of their schooling and even the rest of their lives. In kindergarten I’m seeing that they’re typically scheduled for a recess break, sometimes a second recess towards the end of the day at the teachers discretion, and one period of free play in the classroom. The rest is all learning whether they’re at tables, on iPads, doing center rotations, or being pulled from the classroom for other services.

Today I believe that we value numbers more than what children truly need to develop. We care about having the highest test scores from our children, we want the highest percentage of children entering 1st grade reading at a certain leveled book. We want the numbers that prove the children at our school are the best of the best. That’s what our society values. Parents want to have the smartest kids, and schools want “proof” to show that their students are excelling so far so they have proper bragging rights. Unfortunately, this means that teachers are now crumbling under that pressure and now have to push more and more academics in kindergarten, and slightly more in preschool as well. I’m noticing that preschool programs can be more structured where there are times when they expect students to sit down to do a tabletop activity until they’re finished. It’s in preparation for the prolonged sitting that they’re going to do once they’re in kindergarten where they’ll be doing much more academics. It’s more common for preschool to have more playtime than kindergarten, but they’re definitely getting them ready to sit and learn.

I want my future students to play. My heart lies with preschool and kindergarten aged children, and I especially love three year olds. These children need to play and I want them to get as much playtime as is possible to give them. I want to expose them to nature and I want them to have the opportunity to play outside, because I know that a lot of children today aren’t getting those opportunities. I want them to develop those gross motor skills that they won’t get staying inside the house hooked up to the iPad. I want them to appreciate nature and see the beauty around them and how important it all is to the life that we live. If I can get them excited about nature and excited about being outside, maybe I can influence them to continue that excitement and to want to play outside as soon as they get home. I feel as though a lot of children have grown up hooked on electronics, and I want to break that and show them that they don’t need electronics in order to have fun. There’s so much outside that they’re missing and so much that they can explore and discover that they won’t see being cooped up inside the house. Children will get where they need to be, but we need to allow them to be children and allow them to play. That’s how they’re going to build on the most crucial skills they need to be prepared for school.

App Review: TouchChat HD

2020-04-30T23:03:00.001-04:00

By: Melissa Giconda, EC-SEAT Scholar

App Name: TouchChat HD

Where: Google Play Store

Link: https://touchchatapp.com/apps/touchchat-hd-aac

Cost: $149.99 (USD + tax)

About the app: TouchChat HD is an app that functions as a communication tool for those with communication impairments. This app is used to help children or students who may be non-verbal. It helps students to be able to communicate without actually being physically verbal. It has many options to edit vocabulary and is limitless with flexibility; you are allowed the opportunity to add familiar people, places, snacks, and much more. It is simple enough for a student who has the ability to read written language but also accommodates students who are pre-reading (or not reading at all) and allows them to select icons based on pictures. TouchChat provides both English and Spanish options in one universal app supporting iPhone®, iPod®, and iPad®.

Positive: TouchChat HD is easily able to be personalized to any individual’s communication needs. It can be modified for their specific demands and requests. The app comes with preset icons but allows you the option to replace them with real photos.

Con: The application interface can appear to be very busy. You have the option to categorize icons but it is not done for you and can be very time-consuming.

Below is an example and description of the use of TouchChat HD with a 5-year-old student in my class who is diagnosed with Autism: VIEW THIS VIDEO FIRST

The app was introduced to CG through his private at-home speech service. She taught him how to navigate the app and first and foremost request wants and needs, for example, “I want binky” (Which you will see him use in the video at school). He currently uses his AAC device with TouchChat HD with private speech, at home with ABA services and throughout his school day with us. During school we currently use TouchChat HD to prompt CG to ask for breaks, request wants/needs, participate in whole and small group activities, answer questions, and socialize with peers. With CG becoming more familiar with navigating the app and understanding that this is how he can communicate, we began to use it throughout the school day. He currently is prompted to use it frequently, but, will ask for certain things independently. When doing discrete trials, upon completing a task, he will either as for a break (roll, squeeze, tickle, walk, etc) or a treat (cookie, cheerio, veggie stick, etc). We are also beginning to use his app to socialize with peers, playing games (as seen in the video, “Your turn, my turn”). CG also uses TouchChat HD during whole and small group activities, including singing, counting, calendar, etc, to participate in regular education. This process and device are very new to CG. With the main goal in focus, of him being able to communicate his wants and needs, we want to shift the focus on how to do that appropriately. As you can see in the video he frequently requests that he wants his binky, which is an “at home” item. He is prompted, while playing a game with his friends, to use “your turn /my turn”, but is choosing to avoid the task, because he would prefer to ask for preferred items. His speech therapist attempts to prompt him, and eventually uses hand over hand. He typically does better in this activity, but I thought it was great for the purpose of this assignment because it shows the struggle between user and teacher and how things can sometimes be unsuccessful. One thing we did talk about was specifying the app for CG specifically for certain tasks. If he were indeed playing a game or socializing, we could create a specific category or folder just for that where he would not be able to access preferred items as easily, such as, “I want binky”.

App Review: SeeSaw Learning

2020-04-30T14:11:00.002-04:00

By: Kimberly Chouinard, EC-SEAT Scholar

App Review: SeeSaw Learning

During this time of remote learning, as of April 2020, it is important to consider a few features in selecting the right app for your program's needs and students in presenting, monitoring and assessing student performance:

1. How easy is this SeeSaw Learning app to use for teachers?

This app is easy to navigate.
It offers tutorials and support pages for teacher to support its use.

2. Ease of use for families and security of information?

Parents are invited by teacher to join SeeSaw via email using their email and student code.
For remote learning, parents need to join as the "student" in order to complete work and share with teacher on the app.
Compatible with several devices including, Chromebooks, computers, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, Android phones, and Kindle Fire.

3. What ways or modes will this app give teachers to share learning experiences?

The app contains a library of activities, a message center, student journals and setting tools for many other features including family sharing.
The library of activities is a great help to get teachers started.
Activities are arranged by grade and topic.
Within activities teachers can provide recorded messages for directions, videos, picture, links (safe links) and templates for student work.

4. What ways will this app give students to share learning experiences with their teachers?

Similar to teachers, the students are shared access to teacher messages, activities and their own journals of work.
Within activities students can record messages back to the teacher, send videos, picture and completed templates work of their work.

5. How does the app organize student data for monitoring and assessment?

Perhaps the best feature is that all the work students submit is directly stored into their personal journal file.
This makes assessment easier because everything is stored together by child.
There are other feature to compare students' work, checking on which students have completed which assignments.
There other ways to sort by topic foe advanced users.

Reflection From the Field: A Teacher’s Experience with Planning Remote Learning

2020-04-29T15:31:00.004-04:00

By: Kimberly Chouinard, EC-SEAT Scholar

This week started with a bang! It’s hard to believe it still the same week, actually, it is a blend of 2 weeks. On Friday 3/13 the state of NH announced that all schools would be closed and move forward with a remote learning model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday (3/13), my school district sent an email asking staff to work from home on Monday (3/16) and to review options and ideas for beginning a remote learning model for their grade level.

On Monday (3/16) we had the first of many, preschool team Zoom meetings. We collaborated, shared, planned, and came up with a plan to begin to move forward planning for remote learning.

1. We agreed to create an activity calendar, with four developmental subheadings to work on for both the 3- and 4-year old programs.

2. We planned how we wanted to explain to parents how to implement these suggested activities at home.

3. We divided the tasks and started to work.

On Tuesday (3/17) we all reported to our home schools. We Zoomed to finish the calendars, one for 3’s and extensions for the 4’s, while also creating a supply list and preparing supplies for students.

Supplies for Students

Labeled Packets for Students

We were packing before creating and it was all a bit crazy, BUT we managed. By the end of the day, we had created and prepared preschool parents and students for the first stage of remote learning.

On Wednesday (3/18) volunteers at each of the schools in my district, with the principal in the lead, began handing out those prepared packets via drive-thru. Many teachers continued their work from home preparing for the next phase, an online platform.

School District's Offering of ChromeBooks for Student Use at Home

From home I participated in webinars and continued to work on Google sites while also exploring Zoom and the See Saw app.

Google sites was one offering through the district, I found it was hard to use and it took a lot of time to maneuver through. In the end most of our team abandon it. My coworker and I thought, since we had explored the site and because it linked to the school's home page, we would create a site and use it to link to future platforms and extra websites of activities for families.

By Thursday or Friday, after countless Zoom meetings and approval from the district, our team had decided on using See Saw.

See Saw’s platform for creating and sharing on-line learning with students and families was the best fit for our needs. We set a date of the following Monday, March 23^rd as the roll out date to go live with See Saw learning.

It is a great tool. It offered lots of preschool activities for free until we could get to a point of creating our own lessons.

The roll out was good, bumps not with-standing, and the individual style of the preschool teaching staff began to show through in individual planning.

I found that many of the preloaded activities followed the calendar ideas we had introduced in week one’s learning calendar provided in the materials sent home. This made the roll out smoother from my perspective and for students.

The administration from each school asked to be added as students, to view sites.

Feedback was positive. Families with their students slowly over the course of the week started to join and by Friday most were connected and participating.

The learning began and new norms and routines started to be merged with familiar classroom routines...

Make a Light box!

2020-04-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

Watch Dr. Therese Wilkomm create a simple light box! A great idea for classrooms and work with young children!

Other ATinNH videos demonstrating Assistive Technology solutions can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/user/ATinNH.

App Review: Dictate2Us

2020-04-28T22:51:00.000-04:00

By: Melissa Giconda, EC-SEAT Scholar

App Name: Dictate2us

Where: Google Play Store

Link: https://www.dictate2us.com/

Cost: Free Trial

About the app: Dictate2us is an app that functions as a recorder with transcription. This app is used to help children or students with hearing impairments. It helps students to be able to speak and record simple phrases and have it transcribed into written text. It could be beneficial to someone with a hearing impairment who has the ability to read written text. The app itself has an interface that is easy to navigate. It is also able to record lectures and songs and transcribe for those with hearing impairments. This app is also used by special educators, support professionals, and medical professionals as a note-taking tool.

Positive: Any child can use this app to help them take notes in class. This app is not just for young children but also for older children that can help with the organization of notes, as well as transcribe songs and lectures. Parents at home can also access the app and read the transcription of recordings.

Con: The application appears to be free to download, offers a free trial, but then begins to charge you pricey amounts once the trial has ended. They charge per minute of audio for transcription and per word for translation.

How to Use Screencastify: A Virtual Professional Workshop in the Time of COVID-19

2020-04-27T11:15:00.001-04:00

By: Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Goal: The audience was able to create videos using Screencastify

My team was given no time to get ready to teach online. The preschool team had a lot on their plates with determining how to teach three and four-year-old students. They were not sure how to use videos, apps, and other online materials. Many of them were feeling very nervous to create videos and share them. Others were ready to create videos but did not know where to start. This is why I decided to host a zoom meeting and walk them through the process of Screencastify.

Screencastify is a way for teachers to create videos and share them easily with their students. Screencastify allows for a person to upload a video and edit it, create videos, and share them easily with a link. I walked the Deerfield Community School Preschool staff members through the process on how to download Screencastify for free while on the video. I also demonstrated how to record from your computer, how to upload a prerecorded video from a phone and how to edit multiple videos into one with text added. I also shared step by step instructions for the staff members to use later on.

While showing the staff members how to use Screencastify, I walked them through the different icons and what they mean. I got questions like, “what is easiest for someone with little technological skills”. I walked these staff members through the process on how to record directly from their computer. This is the process that requires the least number of steps. I was also asked “how to add text to a video”. I walked them through these steps as well.

One thing that I made sure to do was troubleshoot and explain why some things would happen. One odd thing about Screencastify is that videos can appear sideways but finalize in the correct orientation if pre-recorded on a phone or iPad. I wanted to be sure that no one walked away with questions or concerns as they worked through this new experience. The staff members left the meeting feeling excited to try this new interface and be able to share more with their students. They have since created multiple videos successfully and gotten great feedback from their students and families. I have also been a touchpoint for support if people get stuck or need support while they create their videos. Since the meeting, I have helped people cut the length of videos and how to successfully upload their videos to other locations. Screencastify has been very successful for my team and could be for others as well.

Learn more and view these examples:
Popcorn Kernals Song
Google Drive link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W0XFKup-JVPONGHaU1kv6_nV68CdqNx8/view.
Introductory Tutorial by Screencastify: https://help.screencastify.com/article/224-how-to-make-your-first-recording

Reflections from the field - Autism: How is it Diagnosed and What does a Diagnosis Change?

2020-04-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

By Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

When I think of Autism as an educator, many questions come to mind. Mainly, how are children diagnoses, and how does their age at diagnosis affect them? Also, does a diagnosis change the situation for families and adults?

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that ALL 18- and 24-month-olds be screened for ASD during regular health visits” (Stenberg, 2014, p255) because autistic behaviors can sometimes be observed as early as one year old. When the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) screening takes place, there is a 23 yes or no questionnaire that parents answer and six critical items. These items are “‘imitation’, ‘interest in other children’, ‘initiative to joint attention (point for interest)’, ‘response to joint attention (follow point)’, ‘show objects to others’ and ‘response to the name” (Stenberg, 2014, p256). If a child fails 2 out of the 6 critical items they are labeled as at risk for autism.

It is shown “that screening with M-CHAT alone in a general population at 18 months is not effective in identifying the majority of children who ultimately receive a diagnosis of ASD” (Stenberg, 2014, p259). This could be from parents not recognizing the behaviors or the age of the child. Screening at 30 months may be more effective because “ASD is a developmental disorder, which implies that the signs manifest themselves only when the child has reached an age when certain behaviors are expected to be present. The signs will, therefore, become increasingly evident with increasing age and might not be fully manifest or recognizable at 18 months in all children with ASD, particularly in children who have IQ and language skills within the normal range” (Stenberg, 2014, p259). Often times, parents do not even know what to look for in their children until they are around other children and acting a little differently.

Is a diagnosis needed for these children to get the support and education that will help them thrive later on in life? In the US, with the current infrastructure, yes, a diagnosis is often needed. In order for a family to get the support and help needed, they have to have some sort of diagnosis or recognized delay. Even if a child is not diagnosed with autism, they are still able to get some early supports and services if the child is found to have at least a 33% delay in their development. Once the delay is recognized, the family qualifies for some services from the state, mainly paid for by insurance. These services are to help support the family and teach them new skills to better support their child. The early supports and services are often not as intensive as a child with autism would need if the child does not have a diagnosis. Before diagnosis, a child would get an hour of services a week from early supports and services. If more services are desired, the family would have to pay for these themselves.

Children are the main focus for both parents and educators. We all want what is best for the child, whether they are diagnosed or not. Educators are just one support system for families in their special education journey. We can help these families find more based on their needs and desires for their families. In my eyes, it does not matter if a child is diagnosed or not, I just want to be able to give them and their families the skills necessary to be successful and to achieve their goals. I do not want a diagnosis to define the child or family but to just be a part of who they are. A part of them that helps explain some parts of who they are. Educators can help families and children get the support they need. There does not need to be any diagnosis to be a strong teacher and support system for the families in your care.

Resources

Arnold, L. (2016). Rethinking autism, diagnosis, identity and equality. Good Autism Practice, 17(2), 100–101. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.unh.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=124064788&site=ehost-live

Loomes, G. gl739@york. ac. u. (2017). It’s only words: a critical “insider” perspective on the power of diagnosis in the construction of autistic social identity. Good Autism Practice, 18(1), 20–24. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.unh.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=123875598&site=ehost-live

Pierce, K. E. gov. u., & Lyons, R. (2019). Parent training programmes in the early years: benefits and recommendations from an evaluation of the Incredible Years Programme for Autism and Language Delays. Good Autism Practice, 20(1), 50–65. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.unh.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=137903277&site=ehost-live

Sileo, N. M., & Prater, M. A. (2012). Working with families of children with special needs: family and professional partnerships and roles. Boston: Pearson.

Stenberg, N. , Bresnahan, M. , Gunnes, N. , Hirtz, D. , Hornig, M. , Lie, K. K., Lipkin, W. I., Lord, C. , Magnus, P. , Reichborn‐Kjennerud, T. , Schjølberg, S. , Surén, P. , Susser, E. , Svendsen, B. K., von, Tetzchner, S. , Øyen, A. and Stoltenberg, C. (2014), Identifying children with ASD at 18 months. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol, 28: 255-262. doi:10.1111/ppe.12114

Reflections on the Cultural Effect of Education for Young Children

2020-04-26T10:52:00.000-04:00

By Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Education has always shifted. It has changed and evolved based on current socio-cultural values and goals. Over time, these goals have changed based on societal needs and desires. When early education began it was very different than what we have today. That is because society’s needs and learning opportunities have changed. In the past, children needed to be home to help the family and did not need simple educational skills, but now education is for all children to allow them to explore the world around them and to get the skills needed to support themselves and their families later. “The modern human mind has evolved with the history of the human species” (Bodrova, 2007, pg 11).

Today there are many cultural influences that affect the early childhood education practice. Some of these include the push-down method and behavior management. These two influences are changing the nature of teaching and what the early childhood classroom looks like. When I look at classrooms today in comparison to when I was a young student, there is a big shift. Children are being asked to learn higher-level skills that used to be what children would learn in higher grades. They are being asked to learn these new skills while having to be in more control over their bodies. To encourage more bodily control, teachers are using behavior charts and rewards systems, which can cause negative emotional stress on children. These are just a few things that were not as prominent when I was in elementary school.

When I think about the current cultural influences on early childhood education, I also think about what I can do to help these young children. The first thing is to get them moving and outside more. Allowing these big movements will help children get more energy out and allow them to learn more about their bodies and what they are capable of. I have seen fewer children playing outside with less gross motor skills in my current experiences. Play is so important for children and they are able to learn so much through it but it is being pushed aside in order to do more “academic learning”. “Vygotsky believed that both physical manipulation and social interaction are necessary for development” (Bodrova, 2007, pg 9). I hope to bring play into the classroom and help children learn through developmentally appropriate practices. Children need to learn social skills before they are able to be successful students. Helping children develop these social skills through interactive play will allow them to be more successful learners who feel less stress later on. It is important for children to start learning some academic skills in preschool but they don’t need paper and pencil or have to sit in order to learn these.

I also think it is important to talk with parents about what is academically appropriate for students to be doing at home. Sometimes parents do not know whether they should be practicing certain skills at home or don’t have the tools necessary too. So, it is important to make sure parents are aware of what they can do at home and how that can affect their child. Whether there are classroom book bags or activity bags that they can take home or short information guides for them to look over with helpful tips. This will make sure that children aren’t being pushed too much or too little at home. If a child is getting pushed too much at home then they may not be willing or as excited to participate in learning experiences or they could be having difficult behaviors.

Society will always be changing as we learn more about the world around us. “For Vygotsky, the social context influences more than attitudes and beliefs; it has a profound influence on how and what we think” (Bodrova, 2007, pg 10). Depending on the social context, a child could be learning and developing rapidly or becoming frustrated quickly especially in early education. With today’s societal goals and educational practices, it will be important that I and other teachers know each and every one of our students and families well.

Reference

Bodrova, Elena, and Deborah J. Leong. Tools of the Mind: the Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall, 2007.

Reflection from the Field: How to Use the Novel Effect App to Enhance online Reading and Listening - An Online Workshop for Families and Teachers

2020-04-25T11:38:00.000-04:00

By: Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

The following blogpost includes sample emails and a reflection about how to teach with the Novel Effect App. Read the sample emails, the reflection, and follow the links to learn more.

Using the Novel Effect App - https://noveleffect.com/ - to Enhance Reading Online

Location: Screencastify Videos and Emails
Audience: Preschool Team Members and Preschool Families
Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-dHeNfXtgc

Sample Email to Preschool Families:

Hello Everyone, I have an app called Novel Effect that I want to share with you all! It is an app that adds sound effects while you read. I feel as though you and your children will love it as much as I do. Check out my video on the Novel Effect app here. The website also has great information for you to explore: https://noveleffect.com/ I have also created a read-aloud of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus, by Mo Willems for your kiddos. You can check out that read aloud here. I hope you all enjoy it! Stay Healthy and Safe!

Sample Email to Preschool Team:

Hello Everyone, First. I miss seeing you all and being able to chat in person! I wanted to share an app that I really enjoy using when I am doing read aloud’s. It is called "Novel Effect" and I think you would all find it as fun as I do! I created a video explaining what Novel Effect is and how to use it. Feel free to check it out here. The website also has more information and helpful resources for educators like ourselves. I recommend checking that out as well: https://noveleffect.com/. I then recorded a read aloud using Novel Effect with the story Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus, by Mo Willems. You can check out that video here. (this information has been shared with our families already). If you do enjoy it. please feel free to share my videos about the app with friends, family, or other educators. I have added it to the Preschool Teaching Videos folder. Let me know if you have any questions!!

Reflection

Online Learning has been a huge change for all families and educators. I chose to share this app with families and educators as a way to enhance the reading experience. Novel Effect adds background noise and sensory input into reading experiences. Novel Effect can engage readers and listeners in a deeper experience of the story. I chose to share this information with families as another option to continue learning at home in a meaningful and fun way. Families are looking for ways to bring learning into their homes with fewer screens and in ways that are accessible by all children and families.

Novel Effect is to be used by anyone with a tablet or smart device. Educators can use this app while they are doing read a-louds for families. Many educators are doing read a-louds, storytimes, or book walks virtually for students. Families are home reading more than ever and this app allows them to get new experiences with books they have read many times. I created these videos for families or educators to be able to access whenever they are able to. It is also able to be shared with anyone who needs or wants the information. I chose to do a video because it can be saved and re-watched rather than a live zoom or google meet. I am not able to save or record those live videos based on permission from others.

I have gotten positive feedback from families and other educators. Many people did not know about this app but find it cool and exciting. Parents have shared that their children have really enjoyed this new way of reading a story and get very excited by the additional sounds they hear.

Hands-on Exploration: Building Supply and Department Stores

2020-04-25T10:40:00.000-04:00

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

Experience: During my field experiences exploring Assistive Technology, I visited local stores to find devices that can help individuals with disabilities with daily tasks at home. I decided to explore Home Depot and Best Buy. Information about each device is pictured and described below.

1. The first device I explored was the Motion Activated Light Bulb (FEIT Electric Intellibulb). I found this device at Home Depot in the “lights” section. This device costs $8.99 (60 W). This device is used to light up an area in your house or anywhere that can support electricity. It lights up instantly when activated by motion (such as walking by or just waving your hand. This device can accommodate those who cannot physically turn on a light by themselves. The light turns on when it detects motion (up to 19ft away) and turns off automatically when there is no motion in the room of the light for 10 minutes. This device is great because it is hands-free and does not require any smart home hardware or apps.

2. The second device I decided to explore was the Barossa Touchless Kitchen Faucet with LED Light. I found this device at Home Depot. This device costs $199.00. This device is used in the kitchen and is a motion-activated faucet. All you have to do is wave your hand to turn the faucet on and off. This device can also accommodate those you cannot use their hands to turn on a faucet. Any type of motion over the sensor will turn the faucet on. For example, if you are washing dishes or just want a glass of water just put it under the faucet and it will turn on automatically.

3. The third device that I explored was the Sengled Smart LED Bulb. This device costs $20.00 for every two bulbs. This device can be used to turn lights on and off with a paired app (Sengled Home App) without having to physically turn them off. The app lets you turn lights on and off with just connect to Wi-Fi while using the app. You can also connect this app to voice control with Alexa products as well. This device can be found at any Best Buy store.

4. The fourth device that I explored was the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. There are many different types of kitchen aid mixers but most like this one I explored with is able to mix ingredients for you (automatic, plugin and turn on). Just add ingredients for your recipe and the kitchen aid mixer will do the hard work. Each kitchen maid mixer comes with a 4 ½-to 5-quart mixing bowl and a mixer (metal whisk). This specific mixer is $379.99 but it can be more if you buy a bigger size. This device is also available at any best buy store.

Both of these devices can help individuals with or without disabilities complete everyday tasks. The Sengled LED Bulbs can be turned off, on, dimmed with just the touch of a button on your phone or through voice command. This can be helpful for individuals who may not be able to get up and turn lights on or off. As for the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, this device can help individuals prepare and cook meals without having to use their hand and arms. This can be beneficial for individuals with arthritis or the hands or arms.

Visit ATinNH's AT4All page to find equipment available for loan, demonstration, and reuse for all ages - https://atinnh.at4all.com/.

Assistive Technology Devices you Can Create to Use in Your Classroom

2020-04-25T10:20:00.000-04:00

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

What is Assistive Technology? Devices and services that help individuals with special needs. They help people with disabilities: remember, read, see, communicate, and listen.

iPad/iPhone Stands

iPad/iPhone stands are a great assistive technology to use in the classroom and at home.
These stands help children or individuals keep their device in place without having to hold it up.
This assistive technology can be helpful especially to children or individuals with physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy or Muscle Dystrophy.
Materials: coro-claw, exacto knife, sharpie corrugated plastic, double sided foam tape scissors, ruler.

Sandwich holder

A sandwich holder is a great assistive technology device to use with children and individuals with disabilities.
This device allows an individual to eat a sandwich without having to use their hands.
This device can be mounted onto a wheelchair as well.
Materials: corrugated plastic, Coro-claw, loc-line, double-sided foam tape, wooden block, and scissors.

Cupholder

Similar to the sandwich holder, the cup holder is another great assistive technology device designed to help individuals who cannot hold their drink with their hands.
This assistive technology device can also be attached to a wheelchair as well.
Materials: plastic cup, Velcro one wrap, double-sided foam tape, wooden block, loc-line, and scissors.

Pencil Grip

Pencil grips are a great assistive technology device for students in the classroom.
Pencil grips can be great for helping children learn the correct way to hold a pencil/pen.
This is an easy device to make for children in a classroom that need extra help with fine motor activities (you can mold Instamorph to the child’s specific grip).
Materials: pen/pencil, hot water, mug, Instamorph.

Fidget Spinner

Fidget spinners are a great assistive technology to use in the classroom.
Fidget spinners can be used with students who have ADD and/or Autism. It can help soothe and help children release energy and stay focused/concentrated.
Materials: Instamorph, spoon, hot water, mug, PVC pipe, and a surface area (such as a table or countertop).

Hairbrush Holder

A hairbrush holder is an assistive technology device that can be used for children and individuals with arthritis and/or a spinal cord injury.
This device is helpful for not only for individuals but also for children and their families. This device can allow more independence for a child to be able to brush his/her own hair without needing help.
Materials: hairbrush (or any other at-home device you want to use), one wrap strap, fasteners/straps, and scissors.

Universal Cuff (utensil holder)

The universal cuff is an awesome assistive technology to use with many materials. The universal cuff can hold utensils such as forks and spoons.
This device allows an individual or child to use a utensil without using their fingers. This can be helpful for individuals that cannot use their fingers but allows them to use their wrist or arm to bring food to their mouth.
Materials: industrial twist tie, one wrap strap, fasteners/straps, spoon, and scissors.

iPad Strap

The iPad strap is a great assistive technology device to use at home or in the classroom.
This strap allows an individual to carry their iPad without having to use their fingers or hands to grasp at the device.
Materials: scissors, double-sided foam tape, pale yellow cuff material, and Velcro-one tape.

Learn more about fabricating Assistive Technology solutions on the ATinNH website - https://iod.unh.edu/assistive-technology

Playful Apps for Young Children and Families to Learn and Have Fun Together - Patterns, Music, Puppets, and More!

2020-02-13T10:41:00.000-05:00

Todo Math: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Math Games for Daily Practice by Locomotive Labs

This app is appropriate for children within the grades noted in the title, but it could be used with children slightly older. The app provides multiple means for practicing many math concepts from numeracy and patterns to time, money and equations. It is great to see the simple interface and the effort put into providing a dyslexic font option. The different "games" are straightforward and appropriate for differing abilities. The apps do not require quick finger action. Children can take their time. There are not any pop-up ads or distractions, it tracks your progress in each area, and it is free. One drawback is it looks as though it is limited to one user tracking, but this may be different on the upgraded paid versions.

Body Boggle by: BusyThings liquidated

The purpose of this app is to play around with the appearance of the characters. You can change their head and body using the sliders to the right of the screen. This app is great because of its simplicity and directness. Children can also press the random mix up button. It is silly and appropriate for children’s play and expression. Children can work alone on this app or play with a friend. Also, you can take a photo of your creation and share it. You could also print it out or record a silly story to go with it. There are a range of creative options.

Color Band by Ting-Wei Liu

Color Band is a dynamic free app. The purpose of this app is to explore cause and effect, color, music and motion. There is a tutorial at the beginning showing how each color is a different instrument, and it shows how you can make your musical creations play by waving your hand in front of the iPad, using your finger or the pink host bunny can help. This app is appropriate across many ages and abilities. It is fun to experiment with colors and instruments. You can create a picture, be methodical about your note placement or just scribble.

Money Mammals Needs vs. Wants by John Lanza (FREE)

Children can practice social skills for selecting items for certain occasions to explore needs vs. wants. Joe the monkey asks children to select items to put in a backpack for school, at the grocery store, for a sleepover and other occasions. One example is children are asked to select a book and pencil rather than candy or a toy for their school backpacks. The app is simple and does not have distracting ads or extra buttons. This can work for children with learning and intellectual disabilities. When a child selects the correct items they play a matching game as a reward that supports memory. This app is appropriate for children who may struggle with organizing and selecting items for certain settings. This is a great app for children and adults to use together. There are some limitations to this app in that it defines the needs and wants for the user, but it can be used to scaffold discussions and thinking about needs versus wants.

Egg Head: Baby Touch and Hear Lite By: treebetty

This is a cause and effect app to support emerging literacy for children five and under. Children are prompted to touch the egg, and the egg turns into an animal head, makes the animal sound and shows the word associated with the animal’s name in English. Simple interface with no ads. The purpose of this app is for children to touch the egg, hear the animal sound and associate the word with the animal. This app does not require a large degree of motion, and the music can be turned off, as well as the animal sounds or spoken words. A great and simple way to practice animal words and sounds with young children.

Lipa Mole By: Lipa Learning s.r.o.

This app is for emerging writers 5 and under, but it could also be used for older children. This simple no-ad app encourages children to practice tracing letters numbers and simple words using their fingers. Some of the physical adaptions for the iPad such as the Fed-ex glove, fingerless knit glove, or fat stylus could also come in handy. The mole cheers the child on as they complete each page. The purpose of this app is for fine motor control and beginning writing practice. Children must persevere in writing. This app requires quite a bit of perseverance on the child’s part because you must complete a set of letters (e.g., capitals A-G) in order to earn points and move to the next section. Cause and effect, as well as following directions, are additional skills incorporated in the app.

Tiggly - These are simple and interactive apps for young children

You can download the apps for FREE, and they offer manipulatives which interface with the the iPad. I enjoy the Tiggly Counting and Tiggly Shapes. You can buy the plastic shapes or counters for around $30. Tiggly Shapes is recommended for children 18 months or older, and Tiggly Counts for 3 years or older. Check them out!

Monster Chorus is FREE and fun!

This funky little game has great cause and effect application for young children. When you open the app a row of colorful little monsters sing a harmonized chorus waiting for little and big fingers to create music. Try it with preschoolers or toddlers. When you press each monster they open their mouths and sing. You can play well-known children’s songs by pressing the monsters that have a spotlight shining on them and receive applause at the end. The noise level is not overly alarming, and the volume is adjustable (use care with children experiencing noise sensitivities). Children and adults can have a fun time recording their voices and the monsters will sing your song to you. Children can work together or take turns creating songs. It is a great way to integrate music into the curriculum while promoting self-regulation, fine motor skills, and sensory input. Try it out and see how you can utilize this app to promote play-based interventions and inclusion.

Animal Pairs Game is one of many simple yet playful apps from Eral Apps

It is easy to use and free unless you upgrade to the Pro version. These games are a great way to engage young learners with and without disability in animal sounds, matching, and animal naming. It is also a simple game to promote inclusion in the classroom. You can sit down with one or more children to practice turn taking. By engaging the children in conversation during the game, they will be immersed in an interactive experience much like that of a traditional card matching game. The fun part of using the iPad is the animation of the card and the animal sounds. What other creative uses can you find? How could this promote inclusion while practicing executive functioning among young learners who may need special interventions or extended learning time? Remember the key is interaction, care, and fun!

Finger Paint with Sounds By: Inclusive Technology Ltd.

This is a simple app inviting young children “practice their first interactions with a touch screen.” There are small “paint pots” on the edges of the screen, and you are asked whether you want to paint with sounds, music, or no sound. When you run your finger across the screen noises or music plays along with a colorful doodle. There is not much more to it than that. I could see using this app with toddlers and up because of its cause and effect nature.

Puppet Pals and Puppet Pals 2 By: Polished Play

These are two are free apps on the iPad or iPhone with Director’s Pass editions for $4.99. You pick a setting and characters then record a story while moving the characters around the screen with your finger. The tutorial is simple and useful. I would suggest playing with the app alone before using with younger children. Then you will be able to prompt them through the steps. Children often engage in puppet shows during preschool, and this is a fun way to include young children who may struggle with language, mobility, and/or social interaction. With some creativity, children can work together or alone making up stories and recording them using the fun characters from Puppet Pals and Puppet Pals 2. The puppet shows can be simple or complex, with the capability of integrating personal photos. It could also be a creative way for developing social stories. This application is probably most appropriate for children ages 4.5 and above.

Sock Puppets Complete By: Smith Micro Software, Inc. and Felt Board By: Software Smoothie

These are fun story telling apps. Try these apps out before using them in your curriculum or as part of particular interventions. They may work for some children and not for others. The complexity of the activity will vary based on children’s age, interest and abilities. Enjoy and see what thoughtful curricular ideas you can integrate into your daily curriculum to include children who may need additional supports or alternative tools.

Toca Hair Salon and Toca Boca Apps By: Toca Boca

These apps invite users to design and create hairdos for cute characters. This simple app can be great for children’s creative expression as well as choice making and self-direction. It is a playful app that can introduce children to touch technology. The interactive and simple interface is easy to learn and use by adults and children alike. Whether you are a technological genius or neophyte, you will enjoy the quirky characters and wild styles in Toca Hair Salon 2.

Two Calming Apps to Help Children and Adults Relax

2020-02-10T10:39:00.000-05:00

Fluidity is an interesting and simple app. It looks like the inside of a lava lamp and offer direct cause and effect simulation when you move your fingers across the screen. You can adjust the colors, light and the momentum of the “fluid.” This app can be relaxing for some children, but be cognizant about your selections. This app has quite a bit of light and movement.

Fluidity Screenshot

Pocket Pond 2 invites users to take care of the fish in the koi pond. When you swipe your fingers over the pond, the fish scatter, and the water ripples. You can add dragonflies and lily pads as well. Nature sounds are in the background. Try them for yourself and see who in your care could benefit from these relaxing cause and effect apps.

Pocket Pond 2 App Icon

Creating Simple Low-Tech AT Devices at Home

2020-02-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

By: Holly Bogardus, EC-SEAT Scholar

Once we realize the possibilities of the materials around us, it becomes easier to envision ourselves creating useful tools for those we work with. Assistive devices do not need to be bought, or cost hundreds of dollars. Below you will find a few simple and cheap devices that address an assortment of needs. While looking at these devices I encourage you to consider a problem you or another has or is experiencing, and if there could be a simple solution at hand. Looking at materials in new ways can open many possibilities of utilizing things creatively to increase a person's ability to perform a task, or to be better focused and engaged in an activity. Simple solutions are out there if we can think creatively as well as critically.

Visual Complexity Reduction Device

Materials: Magnets (2)
Tools: None

This is a tool for visual complexity reduction using 2 magnets. I chose a colorful frame to help focus the attention, and the black strip can be used to underline the sentence being read, to drag the rectangular screen across the page, and also to adjust/minimize the screen as needed. By moving the black strip up, down, or removing it entirely I can better frame the text I’m reading based on size, or remove the black strip to frame a picture or small graphic.

Levered Doorknob

Materials: One-Wrap, Foam, Double-Sided Foam Tape
Tools: Scissors

This device is designed to change the demand for opening a door from fine motor to gross motor. This will allow persons with grasping impairments to open a door by hitting a tab on the side that turns the knob. This device would benefit people with grasping impairments. Because of the type and shape of the doorknob, I had a difficult time using the Lock Lift Rug Gripper tape as it wouldn’t adhere tightly enough without sliding and thus preventing my One-Wrap from turning the knob (it would just slide around the knob). I used double-sided tape to wrap a layer of foam around the knob; this gave me something that the One-Wrap could more easily attach to without causing the sliding problem.

Enlarged Light Switch

Materials: Double-sided Tape, Foam, Corrugated plastic
Tools: Coro-Claw, Utility Knife

This device is intended to create a larger target for turning a light switch on and off. By using double-sided tape I attached a small strip of corrugated plastic over the switch for stability and covered it with foam for comfort and to enlarge the target even further, while also providing a color contrast, which can be visually beneficial as well. This could benefit someone with fine motor impairments that hinder their ability to flip the switch with their fingers or someone with visual impairments as it both enlarges the switch but also adds visual differentiation. You could also look for a more appealing/brightly colored foam to increase the contrast from the light switch plate.

Modified Marker Grip

Materials: Industrial Twist-Tie
Tools: None

This device is designed to change the way in which a marker or other utensil is held. As can be seen in my photos, while using it I felt most comfortable holding it similar to a bicycle handlebar, but it is not necessary to wrap your thumb around in this way. This device eliminates the need for a tri-fold grip and can be used for anyone with grasping impairments caused by arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other disabilities. I found the Industrial Twist-Tie to be very comfortable and easy to work with, it took several times to wrap it around the marker tightly enough to keep it from slipping. I found it awkward having the marker set to the left of my hand, which made writing awkward. To be used for painting and other things I think I’d like to wrap the Industrial twist-tie around the marker or paintbrush in the middle and twist the ends up on each side to allow the handle-bar style grip around the paintbrush on either side and improve writing by having the marker in the middle.

Pet Brush Holder

Materials: Velcro One-Wrap
Tools: None

This device is intended to allow persons with grasping impairments to be able to properly groom their pets at home. By using the One-Wrap and wrapping it tightly while torquing the brush and then looping the One-Wrap in the opposite direction to make a handle I can slide my hand in. I kept the soft loop side on the exterior of the brush, to avoid accidental snagging on the pet, and on the inside of the handle for the comfort of use. This solution felt very natural as it simulated the same motion as petting. Once the handle was properly fitted for my hand it was a very comfortable tool to use.

Bag Carrier

Materials: Loc-Line, Industrial Twist-Tie
Tools: None

This device was created as a way to allow someone with limited hand strength and grasping impairments to carry in groceries or other like things. This could particularly help someone with arthritis as they can keep their handless tightly clenched and fingers more relaxed. The design allows someone to hold the singular handle in the center and distributes weight on either side, instead of placing the weight and tension (and the digging into your hands) associated with carrying multiple bags., I extended the loc-line to its end range of motion to create a sturdy and comfortable handle. I was then able to push the industrial twist-tie through, forming it around the edges of the lock-line to prevent sliding, and then upturning the twist-tie to create balanced hooks on each end. The loc-line is also better suited as the handle as the twist-tie would eventually start to show wear and tear from use, and cause discomfort to hold as the lining began to deteriorate.

Website Review: Khan Academy

2020-02-06T19:26:00.000-05:00

By: Katelyn Baron, EC-SEAT Scholar

Khan Academy is an excellent, free tool for teachers and parents to use as instruction and practice for student’s math skills. The website's lessons and activities address all math standards and can be tailored to the needs of the individual. Lessons and activities are sorted by grade and by subject content. Within each section, a student can access videos of clear instructions, learn the material, practice the material, and show their mastery of the material by completing a quiz. This website could be used in a school setting and at home. Teachers could use the site to further a math lesson and to focus on the needs of their students in a particular content area.

For the students, Khan Academy is a great tool for learning and mastering math skills. The website starts at early learning and ends with high school. Each student has a dashboard that shows the objects they are working on and includes a study plan which shows the areas that they need growth in. The tasks are self-paced and there are several accessibility options.

For the classroom teacher, Khan Academy is a means to focus math lessons for each individual. The classroom teacher can effortlessly create his/her virtual classroom and assign tasks that align with the student’s skills. They can track their students’ progress and see who is struggling in specific areas. The website allows the teacher to guide students to particular lessons but also permits them to have the freedom to explore other objectives within the content that they are working on.

After exploring a lot of the early learning math content, on the Khan Academy website, it was easy to tell that the site was not a developmentally appropriate practice. To fully understand the task and the website, students would have to know how to navigate the website and be able to read. The website is also not very engaging for young learners. Also, the badge system for a young learner would not be a good motivator. If the site included a game or some sort of fun activity at the end of a task, the student might find that more appealing.

When exploring the Khan Academy website, I came across many Big Ideas that were covered in each of the early math section. For example, in the counting section, there was a chart where the student had to fill in the missing number. In the Big Ideas of Early Mathematics book, they talk about how using a number chart can help students see number patterns and therefore make it easier for the chart to be filled in. While navigating through the different math sections in the early math, and other higher levels of math, I thought that many of the activities were just brushing the surface of the topic. Although the topic was covered, I didn’t think that many questions had the students really having to think about the problem. The questions seemed more straight forward, then abstract which would make the children contemplate the question and answer.

I also noticed that each section on the website was divided into smaller sections that built on one another. As a student progressed through the section, they were using their previous knowledge to make sense of how to steer through the higher levels of learning. In the Big Ideas of Early Mathematics book, I feel that they really focus on the foundational lessons and build upon those, only moving on when the students have excelled in the foundational skills. The way the site was designed, also showed the student how each area was really helping them complete different sections as well. A student may be working in the kindergarten section but is also accomplishing areas in different grades as well. I think that this would be motivating for students to see that they are completing higher-level problems while working on content that is applicable to their grade level.

Interactive Apps to Support Young Children's Communication and Writing

2020-02-06T10:27:00.000-05:00

Bitsboard App - (review provided by Karly Wilcox, EC-SEAT Scholar and Preschool Special Educator): Bitsboard is an app that you can use for all grade levels and abilities. You can get the "Lite" version for free which comes with a few 'boards' that are pre-made. The best aspect of this app is that you can also customize/create your own boards (ABCs, numerals, colors, animals, emotions, class items, etc...)! After you create your board, you can select from a variety of different games to learn the concept. The amount of applications you can do with this app are truly endless and I suggest checking it out to see for yourself!

Bitsboard Screenshot

Avaz – Help Kids with Autism Speak – by: Avaz, inc. - The Avaz AAC app supports individuals needing supports for communication interact and speak with others. The app is set up in intuitive boards, which are customizable. There are four premier voices. They are easy to understand and clear. The boards themselves have large icons, there are “quick phrases,” an alarm to gain attention, and a “mistake” button that says “I made a mistake.” Children can benefit from the predictive text features and all information is backed up using iTunes and Dropbox settings. You can also share messages via email and social media. This app seems to be an appropriate trial selection for children beginning to find their communication device. Avaz offers a lite free version, but it also offers a 1-month trial. These options give the child, family and professionals a chance to see how it will work. There appear to be many customizable options including adding your own photos in the full version, which make it a potentially appropriate choice for children needing AAC overtime.

Avaz Screenshot

Sammi Signs - This is a friendly and cute app for children learning to sign to support their communication due to hearing impairments or for children without hearing impairments to learn ways to communicate with their peers who may use sign language. This app provides categories of words that Sammi signs, you can look at the list and take a quiz within this app. Other categories are available for purchase. The Park is free. There is music playing in the background, but you can turn this off. It is distracting in my opinion. I think this is an appropriate app for beginning signers in preschool or early elementary school. The words are simple and appropriate for young children playing and learning about their environment outdoors, at school and home.

Sammi Signs Screenshot

Make it Big (FREE) - This app is simple and useful for children who are able or beginning to read and have low vision or who have a hearing impairment. The white lettering on black background is easy to read and teachers can support children with low vision to work on words or communicate simple phrases using this app. You can also enable dictation and speak your message onto the screen. Also children with hearing impairments can alert their classmates and teachers with the flashing message option. You can type “Hi” and then shake the iPad making the message flash to get people’s attention. This app is simple to use, free and does not have ads or distracting elements around the screen.

Make it Big Screenshot

Lazoo Squiggles! Created By: Lazoo Worldwide, Inc - This app is free and easy to use. Children 5 and under are developing their fine motor skills and hand strength to begin writing. This app allows children to select scenes and writing tools like glue, chalk, paint or marker and are directed to draw squiggles on different scenes. Each scene comes to life after the task is complete. The purpose from what I can see is for children to begin learning how to use control to draw loops and curly cues in particular areas of a page. Some pages are more specific, but the app seems fairly forgiving. The motion of looping lines and making controlled marks on a screen or page are important initial skills for writing. This is a fun app with many options for exploration and play.

Lazoo Squiggles Screenshot

Lipa Mole By: Lipa Learning s.r.o. - This app is for emerging writers 5 and under, but it could also be used for older children. This simple no-ad app encourages children to practice tracing letters numbers and simple words using their finger. Some of the physical adaptions for the iPad such as the Fed ex glove, fingerless knit glove, or fat stylus could also come in handy. The mole cheers the child on as they complete each page. The purpose of this app is for fine motor control and beginning writing practice. Children must persevere in writing. This app requires quite a bit of perseverance on the child’s part because you must complete a set of letters (e.g., capitals A-G) in order to earn points and move to the next section. Cause and effect as well as following directions are additional skills incorporated in the app.

Lipa Mole Screenshot

Photo Buttons - was created by Software Smoothie who also produced Felt Board. This app can be used to support children with communication through a fun interactive and simple design. This app would benefit someone with cognitive needs to learn about cause and effect and also learn to associate the names of people, objects or actions using a fun interactive interface with a peer or adult. This app can support communication (identifying pictures) and social skills (taking turns, sharing). One reviewer of the product on softwaresmoothie.com noted they use it with several children on the Autism Spectrum from 3 to 9 years, an 8 year-old child with Down Syndrome and a 6 year old child with Apraxia. Parents and caretakers of very young children can also enjoy using this app to support early language and literacy. You can use the sample of photos they provide or create your own.

Photo Buttons app icon

Dexteria Jr. provides simple exercises promoting early literacy and writing while developing fine motor skills. The app is easy to navigate and use. Best for ages 2 to 6 years.

Dexteria Jr. Screenshot

Talking Picture Board - When a child has limited language, picture board apps offer similar opportunities to traditional picture boards. The app Talking Picture Board has a large variety of photos with the option to add your own. I wanted to have the app say “The cat ran,” but only was able to select “Cat ran.” It may not be a perfect solution, but it is a simple and appealing app.

Talking Picture Board Screenshot

See. Touch. Learn. is a simple app allows for children to identify letters, animals, body parts, and much more. With some thought, this app can support Applied Behavior Analysis programs utilizing picture cards. The free version does not have many options, but you can buy multiple packs for minimal cost, around $1.99 each. The app is customizable, and you can save your lessons or revise them. Picture cards are often useful for children’s language and literacy development. This app could easily fall flat on fun, so take care in finding creative, fun, and nurturing ways to engage children with the colorful pictures and lessons. Learn more on www.brainparade.com.

See Touch Learn Screenshot

App Review: Mod Math

2020-02-06T09:34:00.001-05:00

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

App Name: ModMath

Where: Apple devices (purchased in the Apple Store)

Cost: free

About the app: This app is used to help children or students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD and dysgraphia, with math. It helps students be able to read their own work without having to write. The creator of this app made it for his own son who has both dysgraphia and dyslexia because when writing his own math problems, he was unable to read it. The app provides a virtual piece of graph paper that can set up math problems that are easy to read. This app can help older students do more complicated math assignments such as fractions, square roots, and algebraic equations. This app allows you to move your work to different points on a page. You can save worksheets and upload them to documents. Also, worksheets done on this app can be printed out to turn in as homework, emailed, Dropbox upload, or through text message.

Positive: Any child can use this app to help them read and do math problems in class. This app is not just for young children but also for older children that can help with math concepts such as regrouping, long division, multiplication with multiple digits, and algebra.

Con: This app is only an iOS app and can only be used on the iPad Apple Store. The app is not available on the iPhone and cannot be used with an android or any other device other than Apple.

App Review: Upcard for IOS and Android Devices

2020-02-06T09:24:00.001-05:00

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

Name of App: Upcard

Cost: Free

Where to find: on any Apple device (purchase in the Apple Store) and Android

About the App: Upcard is an iOS and Android app that allows children who are non-verbal to communicate what they want. I found this app through my cousin who has a child with Autism and is non-verbal. Upcard has picture cards that individuals can use to place in sequences to form statements and requests. You can use picture cards that come with the app or you can make your own from your camera to make requests or statements more specific and personal. In addition, a parent can record their voice to the picture card so it is more familiar to the child. This app is also great to use because it is free.

Positive: This device allows a child to communicate their needs and wants. One positive as I stated above is that you can create personalized cards to fit a child's specific needs. This means you can take pictures of items in your house or in the child's school to make picture cards to use in the app. This makes requesting and making statements easier when children are familiar with the pictures on the cards in the app.

Con: One difficulty with this app is that it can be a long process recording a caregiver’s voice to each and every picture card. If a parent chooses to record their voice, they have to do it to each and every card separately which can take a chunk of time. Other than this minor difficulty this app has many positives.

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App Reviews: Math and Early Education

2020-02-03T12:46:00.000-05:00

By: Sue Stubbs, EC-SEAT Scholar

PBS Kids Measure Up

Age Range Is this appropriate/recommended for the ages in my class? PBS Kids Measure Up App is recommended for the age range 3 to 5 years old.
Usability Is it easy to use in the classroom? Can it be used independently? Is there an ease of instruction on how to use the app/site? PBS Kids Measure Up App is quick to upload each mini game in the app. It is easy to use and can be used independently with brief overview. It has arrows to notify one where to press. On the iPad it is easy to use the swipe of one’s finger.
Graphics Quality Are the graphics appropriate for what is being taught? Do the graphics make sense academically? PBS Kids Measure Up App has 19 unique measuring games with graphics that coincide with measuring activities. The graphics are appropriate for the age range of this app and they are academically appropriate.
DAP Does it coincide with the standards? Developmentally Appropriate Practice Does it coincide with the curriculum? Does it add value? Does it support math development? PBS Kids Measure Up App has 19 unique measuring games. It has 10 video clips that focus on measurement. One can receive rewards after completing tasks. It provides activities that coincide with the preschool curriculum and the TS Gold Standards. It focuses on measurement activities dealing with height. Activities include sorting from biggest to smallest and smallest to biggest.
Appropriate Learning Curve Does it provide room for academic growth and add academic benefit? PBS Kids Measurement Up App has the ability to track the progress using the PBS KIDS Super Vision companion app. This app did not seem to have room for academic growth. It did not provide various levels of skills. Although this app has educational benefits to help initiate skills, it does not provide room to continue to grow these skills.
Summary: The PBS Kids Measure Up App teaches early measurement concepts focused on length, capacity, weight, and width while going on an adventure to three different areas which include Crystal Caves, Treetop City, and Magna Peak. It is a fun interactive app, which is free.

http://mikeannearart.com/pbsmeasureup

Splash Math from Splash Learn

Age Range Is this appropriate/recommended for the ages in my class? Splash Math App is for grades K to 5. The ages range are around ages 5 to 11. It may be appropriate for the older children in my preschool class and some of my four-year-olds with higher developmental skills.
Usability Is it easy to use in the classroom? Can it be used independently? Is there ease of instruction on how to use the app/site? Splash Math is easy to use and access. It is free for a trial period and then you pay automatically for a subscription. The subscription can be canceled prior to the free trial ends.
Graphics Quality Are the graphics appropriate for what is being taught? Do the graphics make sense academically? Splash Math is a very visual app. It is a great app for visual learners. The graphics do make sense academically.
DAP Does it coincide with the standards? Developmentally Appropriate Practice Does it coincide with the curriculum? Does it add value? Does it support math development? Splash Math is a curriculum aligned math program. It is a comprehensive program that uses self-paced and adaptive practice. This app focuses on over 350 key math skills.
Appropriate Learning Curve Does it provide room for academic growth and add academic benefit? Splash Math is a curriculum aligned math program. It is a comprehensive program that uses self-paced and adaptive practice. It provides room for academic growth.
Summary: The Splash Math App is an interactive math app that is exciting and engaging for grades Kindergarten through Fifth grade. It is recommended to use this app 4 times a week for 30 minutes at a time to receive the most out of the program. It reinforces math skills with an adaptive and interactive math program, which allows for academic growth at one’s own pace.

Low Tech Assistive Technology Tools for Behavior Management

2020-02-03T12:32:00.000-05:00

By: Sue Stubbs, EC-SEAT Scholar

Managing behavior in a classroom is ever changing. One’s style of behavior management is never the same from year to year, maybe similar but not exactly the same. Behavior management truly depends on the class dynamics. I have found some Low Cost and Low Tech Assistive Technology tools that work in a preschool classroom to help assist with behaviors and children with varying needs.

Specialized Chairs

Specialized chairs with leg support and Box Chairs help assist children with sitting.
These tools help children have upright posture when sitting at circle or at a table. It provides one with the ability to be able to focus and maintain attention during instruction time.

Wiggle Cushion

These assist with attention and provides a child with sensory needs the ability to sit in a whole group or small group setting while providing some movement.

Weighted Blanket and Vests

These help with sensory integration along with weighted vests.

Picture Schedules and First Then Strips

These are used to help children with transitions in the classroom and to be aware of what is expected of them. This often helps to eliminate behaviors and prepare children for unexpected events.

Fidget Tools

These low-tech supports, such as putty and fidget spinners are used to help children to attend to the task at hand during whole group and small group circle time. These items can be used to promote fine motor skills and strengthen fine motor skills.

Reflection

In the morning class, one child is a very young three year old and often his behavior is run on the need for attention and feeling like he is in control of the situation. This child has difficulty sitting at circle and following the demands of the teacher. At circle this child benefits from holding an item such as putty while waiting his turn at circle. He has a choice between two items of which one he will hold and in which two seats he will sit in the wooden chair with supports or the box chair, as to provide him with the ability to choose and feel as if he is in control. The expectations to be able to hold this said item at circle are made clear to this child at the start of each circle. This child even is able to state the expectations to the adults in the classroom. This child also uses a picture schedule to help keep him on track and be aware of the transition times.

Apps for Making Choices and Keeping TIme

2020-02-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

Choiceworks is an interesting looking app by Bee Visual. Browsing through some reviews of this app, it looks at though for $6.99, you can develop interactive visual schedules for children to use throughout their day. There are three boards called schedule, waiting and feelings. The boards appear to be adaptable and incorporate timers for particular tasks or waiting periods while incorporating choices for young children to make about what they do during the day. The app includes a photo library and the option to customize boards for multiple children. I encourage you to read the reviews and description in the iTunes app store before purchasing.

Choiceworks App Icon

Talking Picture Board Screenshot

FunTime Timer by: CondigoDelSur (FREE) - The fun time timer is a simple and free app. This timer can be used with children who struggle with time limits for certain tasks and need visual and audible cues. Examples include playtime or clean up. This app supports self-regulation and has three visual representations of time. There is a snail making its way across the screen at the bottom, a tree that loses its leaves, and a circle with numbers counting down the time going from red to white. Time can be selected from 10 seconds to 1 hour. When the time is up balloons fly in the air and voices cheer. The visuals and simplicity seems appealing for young children and adults can select time easily, and there are no ads or distracting pop ups.

FunTime Timer Screenshot

Telling Time App - (review provided by Kerri Hughes, EC-SEAT Scholar, certified special educator.) The Telling Time app is simple to use and has a variety of settings. It is a great app for children to develop their understanding of time. Children will focus on telling time on both analog and digital clocks. The app has practice and quiz modes. Instruction can be differentiated by changing the number of questions and the difficulty of the questions. The instructions are very clear with visuals and the tasks are developmentally appropriate. The buttons are nicely displayed without too much distraction. However, the child must be able to read and understand the words “check”, “hour”, “minute”, and “minus”. There are many visuals used to explain the buttons. However, the instructions are not audible for children who have difficulty reading.

Telling Time App Icon

Interactive Reading Apps for Young Children and Families

2020-01-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

Henry Helps Plant a Garden - A Capstone Interactive eBook

This is one of many digitized Capstone Publishing eBooks (there are many available for free and you can get the Cap Reader to store them). The purpose of this story app is to tell the story and steps of how to plant a garden. The pages of the story can be read using autoplay (no interaction), read to me, and then there is an option called talking time. A natural-sounding voice reads the story, each word is highlighted. Keywords stay highlighted, and the child can push them to hear the word again. There are also one hidden item per page to collect and secret interactive elements on each page. The talking time portion revisits the hidden items the child found on each page. Henry says what the item is, and then the child is prompted to talk. Then the child's voice comes out of Henry. This app is based on a paper book. The sequence and social story can support young children's learning about gardening and plant growth. Perhaps a classroom or family is planning their own garden. A story like this can support a child who may need more examples of what planting a garden looks like.

Henry Helps Plant a Garden Screenshot

Tales2Go (30-day free trial)

This app has over 3,000 streaming books and songs. It is simple to use without any distracting ads or popups. You can search for audiobooks or songs by age, grade level, author, characters and other categories. When you choose the story it is recited with a real voice much like the original books on tape or CD. You can locate the play button using VoiceOver. This app is great for children with low vision or who are unable to read the text to access a wide variety of literature. One limitation is the books are not shown page by page.

Tales2Go Screenshot

Oceanhouse Media Books

This software company created electronic Dr. Seuss books that have three options "Read to Me," "Read it Myself," or "Auto Play." The app highlights words as it reads, and children can select words to be read aloud to help them along. The Dr. Seuss ABC's app is $3.99 for Apple Devices and $1.99 on Android. Many classic favorites are available for these easy to use the app. The only downside is you have to purchase each book separately.

Oceanhouse Media Website Screenshot

Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

Hands-on Use of Assistive Technology Learning in the Classroom

Building Your Classroom Environment Through Flexible Seating

Reflection: How Cultural Influences Have Impacted Early Childhood Education

App Review: TouchChat HD

App Review: SeeSaw Learning

Reflection From the Field: A Teacher’s Experience with Planning Remote Learning

By: Kimberly Chouinard, EC-SEAT Scholar

Make a Light box!

App Review: Dictate2Us

How to Use Screencastify: A Virtual Professional Workshop in the Time of COVID-19

By: Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Goal: The audience was able to create videos using Screencastify

Learn more and view these examples:Popcorn Kernals SongGoogle Drive link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W0XFKup-JVPONGHaU1kv6_nV68CdqNx8/view.Introductory Tutorial by Screencastify: https://help.screencastify.com/article/224-how-to-make-your-first-recording

Reflections from the field - Autism: How is it Diagnosed and What does a Diagnosis Change?

By Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Resources

Reflections on the Cultural Effect of Education for Young Children

By Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Reference

Reflection from the Field: How to Use the Novel Effect App to Enhance online Reading and Listening - An Online Workshop for Families and Teachers

By: Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

Using the Novel Effect App - https://noveleffect.com/ - to Enhance Reading Online

Location: Screencastify Videos and EmailsAudience: Preschool Team Members and Preschool FamiliesBook: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-dHeNfXtgc

Sample Email to Preschool Families:

Sample Email to Preschool Team:

Reflection

Hands-on Exploration: Building Supply and Department Stores

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

Experience: During my field experiences exploring Assistive Technology, I visited local stores to find devices that can help individuals with disabilities with daily tasks at home. I decided to explore Home Depot and Best Buy. Information about each device is pictured and described below.

Visit ATinNH's AT4All page to find equipment available for loan, demonstration, and reuse for all ages - https://atinnh.at4all.com/.

Assistive Technology Devices you Can Create to Use in Your Classroom

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

What is Assistive Technology? Devices and services that help individuals with special needs. They help people with disabilities: remember, read, see, communicate, and listen. iPad/iPhone Stands

Sandwich holder

Cupholder

Pencil Grip

Fidget Spinner

Hairbrush Holder

Universal Cuff (utensil holder)

iPad Strap

Learn more about fabricating Assistive Technology solutions on the ATinNH website - https://iod.unh.edu/assistive-technology

Playful Apps for Young Children and Families to Learn and Have Fun Together - Patterns, Music, Puppets, and More!

Todo Math: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Math Games for Daily Practice by Locomotive Labs

Body Boggle by: BusyThings liquidated

Color Band by Ting-Wei Liu

Money Mammals Needs vs. Wants by John Lanza (FREE)

Egg Head: Baby Touch and Hear Lite By: treebetty

Lipa Mole By: Lipa Learning s.r.o.

Tiggly - These are simple and interactive apps for young children

Monster Chorus is FREE and fun!

Animal Pairs Game is one of many simple yet playful apps from Eral Apps

Finger Paint with Sounds By: Inclusive Technology Ltd.

Puppet Pals and Puppet Pals 2 By: Polished Play

Sock Puppets Complete By: Smith Micro Software, Inc. and Felt Board By: Software Smoothie

Toca Hair Salon and Toca Boca Apps By: Toca Boca

Two Calming Apps to Help Children and Adults Relax

Creating Simple Low-Tech AT Devices at Home

Visual Complexity Reduction Device

Levered Doorknob

Enlarged Light Switch

Modified Marker Grip

Pet Brush Holder

Bag Carrier

Website Review: Khan Academy

Interactive Apps to Support Young Children's Communication and Writing

App Review: Mod Math

App Review: Upcard for IOS and Android Devices

Name of App: Upcard

App Reviews: Math and Early Education

PBS Kids Measure Up

Splash Math from Splash Learn

Low Tech Assistive Technology Tools for Behavior Management

Specialized Chairs

Wiggle Cushion

Weighted Blanket and Vests

Picture Schedules and First Then Strips

Fidget Tools

Reflection

Apps for Making Choices and Keeping TIme

Learn more and view these examples:
Popcorn Kernals Song
Google Drive link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W0XFKup-JVPONGHaU1kv6_nV68CdqNx8/view.
Introductory Tutorial by Screencastify: https://help.screencastify.com/article/224-how-to-make-your-first-recording

Location: Screencastify Videos and Emails
Audience: Preschool Team Members and Preschool Families
Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-dHeNfXtgc

What is Assistive Technology? Devices and services that help individuals with special needs. They help people with disabilities: remember, read, see, communicate, and listen.

iPad/iPhone Stands