How to Draw is another step by step drawing app appropriate for kindergarten to primary aged (app description indicates 4-7 years) children who have the ability to draw basic shapes from demonstration and align them somewhat accurately. Developed for iPhone and iPad, it is currently free until April 30th.

The app review reported that it can be difficult to draw on an iPhone, however using your  iPhone/iPod you could provide these visual step by step directions from the app to your student/child as instruction to draw it on paper, white board or chalkboard (then take a picture of it or photocopy the production!) if working with students who are able to copy from a model. Working directly in the app on an iPad provides the ability to trace on animated lines (arrows ) provided in a step by step manner. Verbal directions are also provided for a multi-sensory method of instruction.

Here’s some screen shots of the app:

How to Draw app consists of twelve episodes which teach you “How to Draw a Cat, a Dog, a Space Shuttle”, a Princess, a Dinosaur, a Skeleton, the Statue of Liberty, a Pony, a Tank, a Locomotive, a Hippopotamus and Santa Claus“. Simple steps are provided (e.g. on the cat, first head, ears, eyes, body, legs, tail, then details of facial features, claws, spots) that many student can follow. Episodes such as the skeleton, tank, locomotive and Statue of Liberty require more advanced skills with a lot of detail required. A pallet of tools is also provided for different sized lines, colors, pencils or brushes.

Appropriate for primary aged students working on acquiring the visual motor and visual spatial ability to produce drawings required in the classroom or art activities. This app provides both visual and auditory instructions to support students through the drawing process. Using the tracing feature on the app then transitioning to copying it on hard copy and then from memory could support students ability to independently produce such drawings independently in the classroom.

I did not see the option of emailing your production but taking a screen shot (pressing Home button and power button simultaneously takes a picture of your screen and saves it in your Photos) is an easy method of saving and sending the creation.

Hopefully you have a chance to check it our prior to April 30th when it is offered for free. I found this app while perusing one of my favorite, trusted app resource, Digital Storytime where apps for primary aged students are reviewed.

Would you include this in your OT iTool Kit?

Carol