iTrace App Updates

A while back, I did an app review of iTrace. If you remember, iTrace is a handwriting app, that helps your child learn to write or help them practice. I am so excited to share with you that iTrace has some cool new features!

 
iTrace — Handwriting for Kids from Michael Bogorad on Vimeo.

They added all three popular handwriting styles. Basically, in most schools teachers are using one of the three styles: Handwriting without Tears, Zaner-Blosser or D'Nealian (the last one is probably less popular than two others). In the original release we used letters similar to Zaner-Blosser. In this release they added all three of them, so the app can be used in almost any US school. I know that iPads are becoming a popular classroom tool for children to use.

 Noah has been asking me how to write in cursive. I honestly have to think about a few of the letters, like Z and Q. iTrace has now added cursive letters. Most US schools don't teach cursive anymore, so parents were asking to add cursive letters to the app. Now with the three styles mentioned and the cursive letters, iTrace now has 300 letters on the app!

iTrace is now available on iPhone. iPhone support was one the most requested features since day one. The reason it wasn’t available for iPhone before was because they thought the screen of an iPhone would be too small to learn handwriting on. The developer redesigned every single screen to make the app really work on the smaller device, and they have been receiving good feedback from our beta-testers.

Now for the coolest and the most unique feature on iTrace is the ability to print paper worksheets. Now I don’t have to spend time looking online for worksheets online that are poor quality or purchase some paper worksheets in the bookstore and spend like ten dollars on one book. Now parents can easily print as many worksheets as they need right from the app. You can choose the letter and the size, and iTrace will generate a worksheet for you. You can either print that worksheet right from the app if you have a device with AirPrint support, or you send a PDF to yourself and print that PDF from your computer.

 I can also make worksheets with words, not only letters. Finally, each worksheet has a maze puzzle at the bottom, so kids can have some fun solving that puzzle after they complete the exercise. The new puzzle is generated each time you open the worksheets page in the app. Noah loves mazes. For those who don't want to spend $3.99 without trying the app, we will also release a free light version very soon. Free version does not allow you to create multiple players, print worksheets, and provides limited access to letters and words. However, it should good enough to feel how cool the app is.


iTrace School Testimonials from Michael Bogorad on Vimeo.

Here are some of the iTrace stats:
The iTrace app has been downloaded over 20K times.

There are several thousands educational downloads, so I guess the app used by at least several dozens of schools.

The apps average rating is 4.5

For more information please visit the iTrace website.

iTrace is available in iTunes for $3.99

 

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.

5 Little Monkeys App Review

It is no secret that I love to sing. Noah loves to listen to music and sing along too.  When you are a parent there will come a time when your child is crying uncontrollably.  You might not be able to pick them up and comfort them if it happens in the car.  Just ask me, once I had to sing the Car-X theme song. You know Rattle rattle thunder clatter boom boom don’t worry call the Car-X man over and over again while driving through Virginia.  I am not sure why that particular song worked when no other did, I was just thankful it worked.  His toy had stopped working and I guess he was not happy about it so I improvised.  I sang anything I could think of. I didn’t have a Smartphone back then; I had a flip phone so apps were unheard of for me. Now this uncontrollable crying incident or being bored or just wanting to listen to music can happen anywhere.  I can’t carry a TV, a CD player or a DVD player everywhere but I always have my phone. Now you can share apps with your children to teach them, and to entertain them.

 One of Noah’s favorite songs now has its own app, 5 Little Monkeys.  This app is adorable. I love when mama calls the doctor. It is funny and entertaining too.  The graphics are great, the monkeys are too cute.  It is something your child can spend a lot of time doing without driving you crazy. I know that some apps are very annoying, 5 Little Monkeys is a great educational app that will help your child learn important vital skills.  Some of the skills are cognitive skills, memorization and counting.  It can even teach your child pitch if you dream of having a future rock star. 

Here is more information from the developer:

5 Little Monkeys is available as a universal iOS app (iPhone, iPad, iPod). The app aims to help parents teach counting and language skills to kids while sharing the beloved nursery rhyme with beautiful graphics and sounds.



Featuring adorable animals, 5 Little Monkeys turns counting and language development into a fun-filled sing-a-long for young children. The repetitious quality of the nursery rhyme helps kids develop vital cognitive skills including: memorization, reasoning and comprehension. Additionally, nursery rhyme singing helps kids to learn pitch control, volume, and voice inflection.

Features

- Interact with characters and objects in the background

- Professional audio narration

- Original music designed specifically for this app

- High-resolution artwork for each scene

5 Little Monkeys is  available in the App Store for $2.99 for iPod, iPad and iPhone.

For more information, please visit the Kid's Academy Website

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