Adventures with Jude: Jude's favorite Homeschool Tool: The iPad

Jude's favorite tool is his iPad. I know that when all else fails, if I can find an app for something, he will try it. I know that some people are concerned about "too much screen time," and feel young students don't need electronics, but my philosophy is "If it works and he's learning, I'm not sweating it." Sometimes, it's that "hear-say-TOUCH" that makes things click, and when you have a sensory-sensitive child who loathes shaving cream, finger paint, and sand, a tablet provides tactile input without the mess.

It also provides motivation. When he was asked at speech therapy what he wanted HIS goal to be, his answer was "For Siri to put on the show I say." His articulation was so poor that the iPad never understood him, and he was dependent on us to put a video on for him because he couldn't read or write the titles. He wanted to do it himself, and when he struggled with therapy, we reminded him, "When you get better, Siri will understand you." This fall, he was itching to write his letter to Santa; I told him he had to wait until after Halloween. Practically on November 1st, he was back at it, bugging to write his letter. When I couldn't stop immediately to help him, he got creative. Instead of asking me how to spell things, he spoke them into YouTube, and then copied the words onto his list! Siri understood!

If I can find an App to make something come alive, he's right there. Here's a list of our top 3:

1. You Tube. (You knew this was coming, right?) While Jude does watch plenty of videos "for fun," we also find some great learning resources. We watched the entire Liberty's Kid's series on his iPad, and there are many Sesame Street vignettes that have become favorites. With so many duPont trips, "Have WiFi, will learn!" has become our motto.

Bonus: Disney Junior. While this is geared toward preschoolers, with Jude's delays, he still fits in the target age developmentally. Favorite characters teach both school lessons and good character choices.

2. Kindle.

I love my Kindle App. Now that Jude is beginning to read, he's starting to enjoy his. There are many books that are only available for tablets, but even his favorite DC Superheroes book is better in "wide screen." Plus, reading to him is much easier on a tablet than my phone - the text is bigger.

3. Power Rangers Key Scanner

I think this is Jude's favorite of all, and I mention it because it motivates him. While we often do schoolwork with the iPad, he can earn playtime as well. Jude has really caught on to the Power Rangers, and he likes to watch videos and re-enact scenes with his toy Ranger Zords.

While Power Rangers may not be what motivates your child, there are hundreds of kid-friendly apps out there. Jude chose a Power Rangers app as his reward, what would your child choose?

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