Speech & Tech
There's no question tech is a part of life, and we are here to provide support on how to best use tech to support your child's development.
DO MORE:
Face-to-face interaction
Involve your child in day-to-day tasks
Video chats with family/friends
Screen time with an adult involved
Screen time that's slow, interactive
DO LESS:
Unsupervised screen time
Screen time without pre-screening
Long periods of screens without a break
Screens on for 'background noise'
Not recommended for 2y or younger
THE BEST TOOL to develop speech, language and communication is YOU!
TALKING, SINGING and READING face-to-face with your child, right from birth!
Be informed: Screen time does affect all of us! This article gives an overview of a condition termed "virtual autism". (Spoiler: screen time does NOT cause Autism, but can affect development!)
Our Favourite Apps
Splingo apps
App Store & google play
A variety of apps providing engaging games with silly characters and animation, targeting a wide range of language abilities. Especially useful for receptive language (understanding)
More information:
Starfall apps
App Store, google play, internet
A variety of apps designed for different age-ranges, targeting multiple educational subjects. Starfall ABCs is particularly helpful for letter-sound awareness! Animations are colourful and age-appropriate, without being overstimulating.
More information:
TouchChat
App Store
A full communication system designed to support users who cannot reliably use their own speaking voice to communicate. Build words, sentences, using pictures or text. Multiple ways to access and program for individual needs.
More information:
Proloquo2go (Assistiveware apps)
App Store
A full communication system designed to support users who cannot reliably use their own speaking voice to communicate. Build words, sentences, using pictures or text. Multiple ways to access and program for individual needs.
More information: https://www.assistiveware.com/
Bob Books Apps
App Store, Amazon Apps
Interactive phonics-based app to learn letter names, letter sounds, blending sounds into words, and more. Different levels, customizable to grow your child's skills. Print book sets also available!
More information: https://bobbooks.com/product/reading-magic-1-app/
Phonics Island
App Store, Google Play, Amazon Apps
Fun characters, engaging storyline, LOTS of interactive games to practice initial letter sounds. Different levels with different groups of letters for an ideal challenge.
More information:
Erik X. Raj Apps
App Store
Multiple app options for articulation/pronunciation of speech sounds (especially trickier sounds like S, Z, R, L, TH, CH, SH). From word-level to conversation-level, there's an app for your needs. We like "zoom in" and "find it" for quick, easy (and fun!) practice for speech sounds. Search for these & other apps in the App Store.