Category Archives: Elementary School

Brain Break Resources for the Classroom and in Therapy

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Brain Breaks Research on the benefits of exercise on learning have long been established (Jensen, 2003; Medina, 2008). Brain breaks are just one form of those used in classrooms. Brain breaks have implications for students with special needs such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Clinic Based Interventions, Early Childhood, Education, Elementary School, Emotions, Focused attention, iPad, iPhone, Mental Health, Middle School, Mobile Device Use, Movement, Movement Apps, Occupational Therapy, Primary Grades, Research, School Based Interventions, Self-regulation, Special education, Special Education Teacher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mazes Activities – Magnetic Maze Boards or an App?

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Maze activities have been a fun visual motor, fine motor coordination and spatial reasoning task for students. I especially enjoyed (and so did the kids!) the magnetic maze activities we used with students on 1:1 or as provided in play centers … Continue reading →

Posted in Apps for OT's, Bilateral Control, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Free apps, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Occupational Therapy, Primary Grades, Visual Motor | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

My Story Book Maker App – Gone Free

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

For a limited time, My Story Book Maker  app for iPad (normally 3.99) is free. You may have an abundance of storytelling apps already, however, this free app provides book making for 6-8 year olds with great drawing tools, stamps, voice recording, … Continue reading →

Posted in App Reviews, eBook Creating, Elementary School, Emergent Literacy, Free apps, iPad, Pre-writing, Primary Grades, Story Telling | Leave a comment

CyberChase Shape Quest App – A PBS Kids VR Perceptual Motor App

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

CyberChase Shape Quest free app developed by PBS Kids app for iPad and Android tablets providing a virtual reality games for ages 6-9. The app provides three games using geometry and spatial reasoning improve their problem solving skills. It is highly interactive, … Continue reading →

Posted in Apps for OT's, Elementary School, Free apps, iPad, Occupational Therapy, Visual Memory, Visual Perception | Leave a comment

Getting a Grip on the iPad Mini for Little Hands

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

One of the preschool students at school has an iPad Mini dedicated for his communication. Using a dedicated device differentiates it as a specific tool for communicating as opposed to devices that may be used for multiple activities (e.g. a educational activity, self-regulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessories, Augmentative Communication, Early Childhood, Elementary School, iPad, iPad Management | 2 Comments

Project Kids Card App – Free!

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

The folks at Smart Apps for Special Needs are marvelous curators of app deals and reviews for iOS and Android apps. I am not sure how they do it, but they daily feature apps on sale for students with disabilities. What gets … Continue reading →

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Emergent Literacy, Free apps, iPad, iPhone | Leave a comment

Bug Art App – Another Little Bit Studio App – On Sale!

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Familiar with the Little Bit Studio Apps, Bugs & Buttons, Bubbles and Buttons, Bugs & Buttons 2, Bugs and Numbers, often favored apps of OT’s? Bug Art app (iPad/iPhone; on sale for 1.99) is their newest app that provides some fun summertime visual … Continue reading →

Posted in App Reviews, Apps for OT's, Drawing, Elementary School, Finger Isolation, iPad, iPhone, Just for Fun, Occupational Therapy, Primary Grades, Visual Figure Ground, Visual Motor | Leave a comment

SnapType App for Occupational Therapy – A Tool for Dysgraphic Students

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

I am always excited to see OT created apps, such as SnapType app geared to OT practice. My admiration goes to those that not only have an idea for an app, but also have the persistence to see it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Activity Worksheets on Your iPad, Apps for OT's, Apps for Special Needs, Dysgraphia, Elementary School, Free apps, Handwriting, iPad, Mobile Device Use, Occupational Therapy, Special education, Writing | 11 Comments

Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil by Leap Frog

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Learn to Write with Mr Pencil stylus and app created by Leap Frog is an emergent writing app featuring tracing lines, shapes and letters using the Leap Frog stylus for ages 3-6 years. The Mr. Pencil stylus is available online … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessories, App Reviews, AT for Handwriting, Early Childhood, Elementary School, iPad, Letter Formation, Occupational Therapy, Stylus, Visual Motor | Leave a comment

OT’s with Apps – Apps and Application for Your School Based OT mTool Kit

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS

Interested in learning about apps mobile device equipment related to school based Occupational Therapy intervention? Join OT’s with App’s for “Apps and Application for Your School Based OT mTool Kit” August 11th & 12th! Prior workshop participants received over $60 of free … Continue reading →

Posted in Apps for OT's, Continuing Education, Dysgraphia, Early Childhood, Education, Elementary School, iOS, iPad, Letter Formation, Mobile Device Use, Occupational Therapy, OCR, Rest and Sleep, School Based Interventions, Self-regulation, Stylus, Therapist/Teacher Tools, Visual Perception, Writing | Leave a comment