Sunday, January 22, 2017

iPad Apps for Speech and Language Practice

IPad Apps for Speech and Language Practice:

With the prevalence of iPads and other tablets in school and at home, many parents look for ways to use them to help their child practice their speech and language skills.   There are many apps available that target a variety of skills and the list below includes just a few highlights.

**Please keep in mind that these are not required for home practice!  If you would like feedback on how to use any of these apps or an app that is not listed here, or you would like ideas or guidance on non-electronic home practice activities, please contact your child’s speech-language pathologist or check out their individual webpage.  

For speech sound production:

1.     Quick Artic – A free app that features many, common, target speech sounds in all positions of words (initial/ medial/ final sounds).   This app is no-frills, but offers a good way to practice single words at home.
2.     ArtikPix – This app features a few free sets of words for the /th/, /w/, /h/ and /y/ sounds, however other sounds are available for an additional purchase of $2.99 - $5.99.  Students can practice with flashcards or play a matching game.   
3.     Articulation Carnival – The main app is free, however, individual speech sounds must be purchased for between $2.99 – $5.99 per sound.  This app offers the opportunity to practice each sound in all positions of words, as well as in phrases and sentences.   Students can hear a recording of the word, phrase or sentence and they earn desired carnival games after completing a designated number of correct responses. 
4.     Articulation Island – This is a classic-looking video game in the style of Mario Brothers where the student navigates through a variety of obstacles in search of crates containing their target speech sounds.  This app is currently priced at $3.99, which includes all the speech sounds and does not require any additional in-app purchases.

**Please keep in mind that articulation practice requires the help of an adult listener to provide feedback on the accuracy of sound production.     

For language skills:

1.     Super Duper Storymaker FREE – This is a fun app for students to design and develop scenes that can be organized into narratives.  A wide variety of items can be added into the scene and the student (with a helping adult, if necessary) can write out the story in text boxes.  A paid version of the app is required in order to save stories.
2.     Sentence Maker – This app allows students to drag words into place to make grammatically correct phrases and sentences that they can then imitate aloud.  It is a good reinforcer for complete sentence forms and is fun for beginning readers!
3.     First Grade and Second Grade Antonyms and Synonyms FREE – Students can practice synonyms and antonyms in four different games and activities.  Additional target words are available in a paid version of the app for $3.99. 
4.     Bitsboard – This is a free app that allows you to customize sets of vocabulary words and pictures for your child.  You can choose from a large store of stock photos or upload your own photos in order to include family names, pet names or favorite vacation in your child’s practice repertoire.  Word sets can be designed to practice vocabulary and also speech sounds. 



It is important to remember that any electronic media should be used with parental supervision and interaction in order to get the greatest speech and language gains.   Please check out the blog entitled “Developing Communication Skills: Unplug to Plug In” on our “Let’s Talk” blog page for recommendations on managing students’ use of technology.  And most importantly, remember to TALK, TALK, TALK with your children! 

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