This holiday season, many of you may have received a new iPhone, iPad or iPod as a holiday gift, or you may gift yourself the latest iOS 8 update to make your existing device new to you! Whatever the case may be, this month I would like to share some features of this latest update. […]
Category: Nicole’s Nook
Nicole’s Nook: Augmented Reality Apps
Some of the newest apps on the market are known as “Augmented Reality” apps. These apps provide a virtual layer that is superimposed upon the physical world to provide computer-generated sensory input. They employ sound, video, graphics and/or GPS data to create a terrific amount of new information for the user. As you can imagine, this takes learning to a […]
Nicole’s Nook: Age Appropriate Apps for Children 0 – 5 Years
In this month’s blog, I thought that I would take a moment to showcase the technology currently available for younger children (birth to 5 years old). Today’s technology-saturated world has made it difficult to determine how much is too much and how young is too young. For children under 2, the American Academy of Pediatrics […]
Nicole’s Nook: Choosing a Case & Accessories for Your iPad
Choosing your iPad can be a difficult and overwhelming task. There are so many options to choose from, including generations, size, data or Wi-Fi connection. What you may not realize is that deciding on a case to protect your iPad is an equally important decision. In today’s blog, I thought it would be worthwhile to […]
Nicole’s Nook: More Apps for Heading Back to School
As we approach the beginning of another school year for our children, I thought that I would highlight a few apps to optimize their school performance. Below are five especially useful apps for your consideration. JotNot Scanner Pro, $1.99 This universal app takes a picture of a worksheet. You can then crop it and turn […]
Nicole’s Nook: Back to School Apps
As summer is winding down and school is right around the corner, some great educational (and fun) apps include those that target fine motor, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. The apps included below target development of skills which play a significant role in academics, so here’s your chance to get a head start for school! Fine Motor Skills […]
Nicole’s Nook: To Write or Not to Write?
Technology is everywhere these days. We are constantly syncing, posting, downloading, messaging, emailing and typing. As such, the term cut and paste no longer refers to the scissors and glue of yesteryear. Beyond their use for keeping in touch, technology can be used to assist children with special needs. In this month’s blog, I thought […]
Washington University NF Center Summer 2014 Newsletter
Check out our Summer 2014 newsletter! Inside this issue: Governor Nixon and Mayor Slay Proclaim May 2014 NF Awareness Month New Study Uses the Fruit Fly to Understand NF2 Gene Function Courtney’s Corner And More! Check out our previous newsletters as well!
Nicole’s Nook: Enabling Restrictions on Your iPad
The iPad is known for providing both entertainment and productivity to adults and children alike. We encourage children with NF1 to use the iPad in academic environments to increase productivity; however, children may have difficulty using the iPad responsibly when entertainment is such an easy temptation. Luckily, there are many built-in features on the iPad […]
Nicole’s Nook: Finding the Best Apps for Your Child
Finding the right app can be like finding that needle in the haystack. To date, there are thousands upon thousands out there, and the list continues to grow. A few things to keep in mind while searching for apps include: While many free apps are worthy, don’t limit your search to free apps only. Some […]
Nicole’s Nook: Limiting Your Child’s iPad Time
The iPad can be useful, educational and, of course, entertaining. Sometimes it is so entertaining that some children have a hard time quitting an app or moving onto something else. Obviously, this can be a detriment to productivity, but luckily the iPad comes equipped with some practical functions to help address this common problem. Before […]
iPad App Therapy Clinic Launched!
Some children with NF1 experience developmental delays that can make some aspects of school and everyday life difficult. One way to address these issues is to use technology, such as the iPad, to enable access to alternative opportunities for education and personal growth. But how can you learn about everything the iPad can afford your […]
Nicole’s Nook: Apps to Take Away the Winter Blues
With the cold temperatures and abundant snow days this year, there is a great demand for inside activities that are educational but entertaining. Here are some recommendations to apps that can take away those winter blues. Language Arts App Title Description Target Age Interactive Alphabet Learn the alphabet at your own pace 1 to 5 […]
Nicole’s Nook: Apps that are More than Recreation
The iPad often gets a bad rap. It’s too trendy, it’s too techy, it’s too mainstream, and it’s too gamey. I’m not sure if all of those are legitimate words, but you get the point. It looks like play, end of story. And to give something so recreational to kids in an educational setting can […]