Apps for Making Choices and Keeping TIme

Choiceworks is an interesting looking app by Bee Visual. Browsing through some reviews of this app, it looks at though for $6.99, you can develop interactive visual schedules for children to use throughout their day. There are three boards called schedule, waiting and feelings. The boards appear to be adaptable and incorporate timers for particular tasks or waiting periods while incorporating choices for young children to make about what they do during the day. The app includes a photo library and the option to customize boards for multiple children. I encourage you to read the reviews and description in the iTunes app store before purchasing.

Choiceworks App Icon

Talking Picture Board - When a child has limited language, picture board apps offer similar opportunities to traditional picture boards. The app Talking Picture Board has a large variety of photos with the option to add your own. I wanted to have the app say “The cat ran,” but only was able to select “Cat ran.” It may not be a perfect solution, but it is a simple and appealing app.

Talking Picture Board Screenshot

FunTime Timer by: CondigoDelSur (FREE) - The fun time timer is a simple and free app. This timer can be used with children who struggle with time limits for certain tasks and need visual and audible cues. Examples include playtime or clean up. This app supports self-regulation and has three visual representations of time. There is a snail making its way across the screen at the bottom, a tree that loses its leaves, and a circle with numbers counting down the time going from red to white. Time can be selected from 10 seconds to 1 hour. When the time is up balloons fly in the air and voices cheer. The visuals and simplicity seems appealing for young children and adults can select time easily, and there are no ads or distracting pop ups.

FunTime Timer Screenshot

Telling Time App - (review provided by Kerri Hughes, EC-SEAT Scholar, certified special educator.) The Telling Time app is simple to use and has a variety of settings. It is a great app for children to develop their understanding of time. Children will focus on telling time on both analog and digital clocks. The app has practice and quiz modes. Instruction can be differentiated by changing the number of questions and the difficulty of the questions. The instructions are very clear with visuals and the tasks are developmentally appropriate. The buttons are nicely displayed without too much distraction. However, the child must be able to read and understand the words “check”, “hour”, “minute”, and “minus”. There are many visuals used to explain the buttons. However, the instructions are not audible for children who have difficulty reading.

Telling Time App Icon