Apps, Apps Everywhere

There are scores of blog posts out there dedicated to 'the best apps' for children and children with special needs.  I have scoured through a few of them in order to find the ones best suited for an RE class.  If you are considering getting a tablet for your RE program, I would recommend an ios operating system, over an android - in terms of the availability of cheap and free apps, there is none better.  If you have a tablet for use in your RE program, I recommend you review some of the educational tutorials on SlideShare, starting with "iPads in the Inclusive Classroom."


Instructional Apps
One of the biggest complaints I hear from children and parents is that Sunday school can be too much like school - too reliant on auditory and linguistic forms of instruction, negligent of all other learning modalities and intelligences (learn more here).  This means that at best, children who are not auditory learners do not connect with the lesson content, and at worst, children who posses an intelligence other than verbal/linguistic intelligence feel worthless, stupid and not welcomed.  And, while any child could fall anywhere on these continuums, it is our children with disabilities such as ADHD and ASD that, overwhelmingly, suffer.

So, here are some apps that might help vary instruction.  I hope, at least, they will spark a few ideas...

• Recycle HD - "Combining solid information about how to keep the planet healthy, interactive games, high-definition images and videos, this app is successful at inspiring kids to adopt healthy habits - and makes for a great complement to any environmental science lesson." - Education.com
• Google Sky - Point your tablet toward the sky, then wonder and learn about the constellations above.
• The Children's Bible - Bible stories and activities for children.
• Britannica Kids App Series - Employ our 3rd principle on the spot with this handy app series!
• Barefoot World Atlas - Learn about other cultures around the world with this interactive globe.
• My Friend Isabelle - Children can learn about disability and differences with this interactive picture book.

Holiday Apps

When modifying instruction, don't forget the holidays!

• A Charlie Brown Christmas - An interactive re-telling of this classic book.
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - Join Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gain around the Thanksgiving table in this interactive book.
• The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - I think my explanations are becoming redundant.
• Holiday Bells - Play Christmas music with these digital hand bells.
• Dreidel Labyrinth - A new take on the classic Hanukkah game Dreidel.

The Arts

Music and art are integral parts of our congregational life - especially in RE.  Here are some apps that can help those with poor fine motor skills, or who are non-verbal, participate.

• Doodle Kids - This painting app will draw random shapes in random colors with random sizes to create a beautiful effect.  Developed and programmed by a 9 year old from Singapore.
• SpinArt Free - Create beautiful mandalas with this classic art game gone digital.
• Children's Percussion Sounds - An easy and fun musical application.  Children tap a percussion instrument to hear it make a sound.
• Kidomatic Camera - Children can take, edit and share pictures with this quirky app.  To think of how much I've spent of my program budget developing pictures from disposable cameras, when we could have just used this and printed them off ourselves!
• Chaos Lab - Explore chaos theory through interactive pictures.  I wasn't sure if I should put this under instruction or art.  But, either way, it sure is interesting!
• Tonepad - Fun and easy way to create music.
• Percussive - Choose between several different xylophones and create music with just a tap of your finger.

Meditation Apps

Meditation can help calm and focus children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or who have attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD).  It is also a well known spiritual practice.  Here are some apps that might aide you if you ever decide to lead a class in a meditation...

• White Noise for Android - This app provides over 40 ambient, environmental sounds for your relaxation.
• Angry Octopus - Angry Octopus is actually an interactive book designed for children with ADHD or ASD as a way to manage anger using progressive muscular relaxation.
• Breathing Zone - I will note that I have not tested this app, but I picture this app could help children learn the difference between an anxious breath and a calming breath.

Communication Apps

I've already said a lot about the importance of AAC apps in helping children with disabilities community.  Now, here are a few apps that could help you communication with children who have a disability (specifically, children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or who are Blind).

• Signing Apps by Vcom3D - This is a compilation of apps that can teach you how to sign.  It includes, among other things, several apps on how to communicate science terminology in sign language.
• Sign Language Idioms - Every language has it's idioms, learn about sign language idioms here.
• Basic Braille - This app helps you gain mastery of the Braille alphabet and allows you to practice with over 365 words.

Other Tools

Here is a collection of other tools you may find useful in your inclusive classroom.

• Easy Kid Timer - This app was developed to help children with autism understand the concepts of patients and time.  If you want a child to focus on a task for a dedicated period of time, this would be helpful.
• iTubeList - Save YouTube play lists to watch later.  If you have a class full of visual learners, this would be a great planning tool.
• Is that Gluten Free? - Most of our congregations have become sensitive to peanut and tree nut allergies.  But, we are less savvy when it comes to Gluten Intolerance.  If you serve snack during your program, this app can help you know what is gluten free.
• EyeNote - This app scans bills and tells the user what denomination it is.  If you have a child who is Blind or visually impaired in your program, this app could help them count money collected from a fundraiser or during offering.
• BigMagnify Free - This app uses the camera feature to magnify anything.  If you have a child who needs Large Print, this could help them.
• Autism Classroom - This app provides a wealth of easy to understand information about autism.  As well as quick ideas for lessons and activities.
• My Pictures Talk: Video Modeling Tool - This app was developed with the intention that it be used to create social stories for people with autism (see previous post).  However, it could easily be adapted as a tool for children to create their own stories.

Tell us about your favorite apps in the comments.

In the spirit of exploration,

- Meredith Plummer