Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard App Review

Noah is a very smart and compassionate little boy. I am always teaching him about doing the right thing. I teach him to be kind to others. I teach him to forgive those who have hurt his feelings. I teach him these things every day. Sometimes I feel like I am a broken record.  There are times that I wonder if I start to sound like the grown up from the Charlie Brown specials. I get really excited when I give Noah something that teaches him something. If there is a moral, than it is such an added bonus. He is the typical seven year old that likes Star Wars or Pokemon and other stuff that doesn’t really have any educational value. Noah had, I love Reading day at school, in November. Everyone was allowed to dress up as their favorite character in a book. Noah wanted to dress up as Darth Vader, because he was him for Halloween. I said no. Noah reads a lot of non-fiction books about fish, sea life and space. I surely didn’t want to send him to school as a mackerel or the International Space Station. I would love to get him more interested in fiction books that teach him a lesson.

Noah also loves technology. I strive to find him apps that teach him things that aren’t purely educational. Noah loves to read and loves interactive story books. He has so many books that when we go on a trip, bringing tons of books is not an option. I have traveled with many books in a suitcase or a carry on. It’s not fun. Thankfully, there are ebooks and Interactive apps. I love trying them out with Noah. We had the chance to try out SON of the SUN and WIZARD LIZARD. Son of the Sun is about little a sunbeam who was sent by his Father Sun to explore the Universe. The pictures and graphics are breathtakingly gorgeous. Noah loves to play along with characters. I also use Son of the Sun as a starting point to open up conversations about forgiveness. After we played the first time, I asked Noah what he thought about forgiving others. I asked him, if he understands what forgiveness is. I explained that once an apology is given, and you accept. You can no longer bring it up. It’s not something that can be used against someone later.  We both love Son of the Sun.
SON of the SUN and WIZARD LIZARD is the first story in the series.  The first book is telling about sunbeam’s adventures on the North Pole. The main theme of this story is forgiveness. Forgiveness is so important. Saying I am sorry and really being able to forgive a friend is really important. 

More from the Developer:

This beautifully drawn storybook will enchant kids of all ages while teaching an important lesson: the value of forgiveness. Instead of the traditional hero vs. villain story, Son of the Sun teaches kids that sometimes people make mistakes, but can change for the better.
Son of the Sun combines an engaging storyline with unique interactive elements to encourage kids to explore every element on-screen.
Feed your child’s curiosity by encouraging them to roam around Son of the Sun’s intuitive landscapes, while they discover hidden objects, encounter interactive characters, create music, and put together puzzles, all while enjoying an amazing story!
Allow Son of the Sun’s narrator to guide your child through the journey, or let your child read on their own so they can improve their skills.
Features
- 20 interactive slides
- 150+ animations and interactions
- 30+ minutes of unique musical arrangements
- 200+ enchanting sounds
- 15 lovable characters
- Fun puzzles with three different levels of difficulty

Son of the Sun has helped me open up dialog to talk about forgiveness with my son in a fun and interactive way.

Son of the Sun is available on iTunes. It is compatible with iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air and iPad mini.

Top Chef University To-Go App Review

 

As you all know I love to cook and bake. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I find it extremely therapeutic and fun. Even though I have been cooking and baking for as long as I can remember, baking bread from scratch since I was nine years old, I don’t know how to do everything. I am still learning techniques and how to do different things in the kitchen. I believe that anyone can cook with the right guidance. I just downloaded a new app called Top Chef University To- Go. I have watched Top Chef before and I really like the show.  I think this app is brilliant because it is like they are in the kitchen with you.  I like to learn visually and since there are video cooking lessons it helps especially if you don’t know how to do a certain technique and without spending hours on Google trying to figure out what different words mean you can just watch and cook along. 

I have always wanted to go to Culinary School. I wanted to be a chef when I was younger. I used to pretend I had my own cooking show. Now with this app I can go to cooking school from home in my own kitchen. I don’t have to worry about going to class or even do it on a schedule. I could learn at 3 am if I wanted to.  Top Chef University To-Go has great videos. They are fun to watch.  I learned what I need to have in my kitchen, I have always wondered if I have all the tools I need. I am missing a few of the items. One of them being an oven thermometer, I always just trusted the oven.  I need to get one ASAP.   There is also a lesson in introduction to Knife Skills. I was scared of knives for a very long time. I am not sure why, I never cut myself but once I figured out how to use one properly, I am able to do so. I am not sure the proper way to peel an apple. I end up wasting some of the apple.  I think it might have to do with the fact that I am left handed. This Halloween, Noah and I carved a pumpkin, well both of the pumpkin knives broke. I wasn’t done carving so I was forced to use a sharp knife. I managed to carve it without losing any body parts or cutting myself. I know watching the Top Chef University To-Go videos it will help me become more confident in using knives in the kitchen.   

I multitask all the time so I have to make sure I am really paying attention as I do in the kitchen.  It is really important to be safe in the kitchen and have the safety precautions in place so no one gets hurt. 

Here is more about Top Chef University To-Go from the developer:

-Cook and learn from the top 11 chef’testants at Top Chef University To-Go

-Access over 200 lessons organized into 20 courses

-Watch lesson videos in high definition

 For more information please visit Top Chef University To-Go

Be sure to Like Top Chef University To-Go on Facebook

Follow Top Chef University To-Go on Twitter

  

Top Chef University To-Go is available on iTunes for iPhone. It doesn’t matter if you are just learning to cook, if you have been cooking for years or if you consider yourself a professional, you can definitely learn something from this app. It is a must have app if you are in the kitchen regardless of your skill set.

123 Tracing App Review

Learning to write is a very important thing for a child to learn. I remember when Noah tried to scribble and say he was writing. That is a normal thing to do of course. Noah started writing at age 3.  He still has handwriting issues.  He is very smart but for some reason making letters and numbers properly is somewhat of a challenge for him. It takes a lot of practice for kids to learn how to properly write their numbers to be able to read what their answer is. Noah’s handwriting is not where I would like it but he is definitely improved.  His math work is correct but sometimes I have to have him rewrite the numbers again. I have started him on a new educational app called 123 Tracing to help him practice writing his numbers. 123 Tracing is made by Kid's Academy. They have so many fun apps. When I taught at a Montessori preschool, one of the things we did with the kids was have them trace letters and numbers by practicing writing them in sand.  123 Tracing reminded me of doing that. I think it is important to trace with your finger because it helps you not only practice making the number but to also feel it.  There is a difference between using a pencil to write it and feeling it and watching your finger make the number.  I think there is definitely more of a connection.  I didn’t tell him that it is an app to practice writing his numbers but just a new game he should try out.  He loves it.  He loves to collect the fireflies too! 

Here is more about the app from the developer:

123 Tracing is an action-packed app that teaches kids numbers with engaging game that keeps them glued to the screen. Your little learners will have tons of fun learning their numbers in the interactive app loved by kids and parents alike.

This math game teaches fundamental math concepts critical for preschoolers: identifying numbers; one-to-one number correspondence; reading number symbols; associating symbols with quantity etc. Appropriate hints are provided to support your child as they practice and build their math skills. Not only can they discover numbers through initial independent play, you can also play collaboratively with your child. 

FEATURES

* Game that make learning numbers a blast!
* Kid-friendly navigation
* Frequent repetition designed to help children learn numbers and their sequence
* Fun surprises and verbal encouragement that keep kids coming back for more
* Curriculum developed and reviewed by preschool education expert
* A rich, exploratory environment filled with surprises
* Audio instructions
* Kid-tested appropriate game

Why you'll love it:

* Active learning: children learn by "doing," completing a fun activity for every number.
* Strong educational content: playtime turns into productive learning, keeping children occupied while teaching them the numbers they need for math.

123 Tracing with its unique graphical styling, beautiful music, and interactivity is designed to engage, entertain, and educate your kids.

123 Tracing is available in iTunes for iPad.

It is also available in the Google PlayStore for Android users.

Alife, Haathi and the Magic Bioscope App Review

Noah is interested in learning about other countries and cultures. I try and expose him to learning about them at a young age.  He must have received that from me genetically.  I loved when we would learn about other countries in school. I even did folk dancing where we did dances from many different countries. It is so interesting to learn about places and see how they are similar and different. I can sometimes find it challenging to teach Noah about different countries and cultures.  It needs to be age appropriate so he can understand. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to take him to each country and show him first hand. There are also places that have really interesting cultures that may not be the safest places to visit.  So, I have to rely on apps, stories and activities. I want to start making crafts and food from different places.  I want to make sure he understands just because they are different than us, they are just like him. I really embrace and teach him the fact that it is awesome to be different.  

 

One country we both find interesting is India.   There isn’t a ton of stuff out there about India so, when we found an app called Alife, Haathi and the Magic Bioscope. This app is an interactive story book.  He loves to read so, when it is educational and not about Lego Star Wars it is a good thing.   Noah loves to go on adventures when he reads. He likes to learn about animals too.  Noah really enjoys Alfie and Haathi and the Magic Bioscope. His favorite character is Haathi. He thinks it’s cool that Alfie is friends with a baby elephant.    I love that they include a great moral about friendship.  I think that is an important thing because it really reminds kids of the importance of being a friend.  It helps the child relate to the story.

Here is some information from the developer:

“Haathi and Alfie were the best of friends…”
Take your children on a journey of discovery with Alfie, a curious little boy from India, and his best friend, the baby elephant Haathi. Watch as your kids engage with the interactive storybook app, bringing animals, objects and Alfie to life in each scene.
As Alfie and Haathi discover the animal kingdom, your child will build their reading skills, comprehension skills and motor skills. With the rich background music and illustrations, your child will also get a glimpse into Indian culture.
When Alfie and Haathi discover a dusty old box, they can’t begin to imagine the adventures it’ll take them on! Alfie loses Haathi as they set off on their first adventure. Join Alfie in his search for Haathi, and along the way learn all about bioscopes, making new friends, and discover the meaning of true friendship!
Recommended ages: 2 to 6

Features:
- An interactive storytelling experience.
- “Read to me” option allows parents to turn off the voice-over and read the storybook to their children themselves.
- Page selector allows for easy navigation to a non-consecutive page.
- Professional audio narration.
- Custom background audio for each scene created by acclaimed Bollywood music producer Ram Sampath.
- Hints to guide parents and kids by highlighting all interactions in each scene.
- Objects, words and characters come to life with animations and/or interesting and educational factoids.
- This app is universal and has been optimised for Retina displays and the iPad.

Alfie, Haathi & the Magic Bioscope is available for free on iTunes.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/alfie-haathi-magic-bioscope/id699499278?mt=8

For more information about Alfie, Haathi & the Magic Bioscope and Growl Media, please visit:

Growl Media

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