Thriving in School

Sensory Patterns in Review

2012-01-17T05:59:00.000-05:00

I hope your enjoyed this series on matching apps to sensory preferences. In review, here are the patterns of relating to our sensory world around us:

Sensory Processing Patterns

Registration -
Bystander
high thresholds, passive self regulation
may not notice sensations ("let the world go by")

Seeking -
Seeker
high thresholds, active self regulation
pleasure with sensations ("wants and gets it all")

Sensitivity -
Sensor
low thresholds, passive self regulation
notices more than most ("no filters, gets everything")

Avoiding -
Avoider
low thresholds, active self regulation
minimizes sensory experiences ("covers up, gets away")

Keep these patterns in mind when choosing apps for your students. It might help you understand why a seemingly good educational app doesn't work for a particular student. Have fun exploring and discovering.

I want to thank Winnie Dunn (a self proclaimed Seeker) for her thoughtful work on Sensory Patterns and relating them to everyday life. I have learned so much from her over the years. If you are interested in reading more, please check out her book, Living Sensationally - Understanding your Senses.

Celebrating Martin Luther King

2012-01-16T07:40:00.003-05:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged everyone to participate in civic life, so a wonderful way to remember him is to give something to your community. Check out City Year or Volunteers Match programs near you for sponsored events or make up your own.

Download this free book in honor of Martin Luther King Day. I wish I had this last week when one of the classrooms I work in was talking about this very subject.

The story of Rosa Parks is told through a young girl's eyes. The message is that one person can make a difference and that people make change by joining together.

This book offers word help on underlined words. The page flips over to give added explanations and picture support for comprehension.

sample page

word help

Rosa Parks (level J) is part of Reading a-z leveled book series. They have created a list of itunes books according to reading levels and offer one free book app at each level.

After volunteering with your community, curl up with a good book!

Apps for Avoiders - Create Schedules!

2012-01-15T06:49:00.000-05:00

Established routines are comforting and supportive of Sensory Avoiders. It helps them know what is going on and what is up next. Consistency is key. Having such low thresholds means they are met frequently and this is uncomfortable and frightening to them. Overall, Avoiders want to keep these events from occurring. You may see withdrawal or emotional outbursts to help get them out of a threatening situation. One strategy they use is to create strict rituals to prevent these events from happening. Although they might appear as controlling and stubborn, they are seeking ways to limit sensory input to those that are familiar and easy to interpret. Change brings the unexpected...things that may be too loud, too itchy, too visually confusing. Help them by creating routines and introducing small changes so they can can adapt.

Video Scheduler ($12.99) is an app that lets you use photos or video to create schedules. You can set up multiple users, handy for a school based occupational therapist working with a caseload of youngsters. This allows you to keep multiple routines under a specific user's name. Label each step or event with text. Add a photo (take one using the camera or choose one from your camera roll). Finally add an audio comment explaining what to do...so cool! If you have the iPad2 or camera enabled iPod touch, you can take video for each step instead of the photo and audio comment. These videos can target exactly what you want the child to model. When you choose a schedule, you see the linear list view of the steps. When touching the step, the photo/video associated with it fills the screen and you hear the audio prompt or the video playing. Even though you can do great things without the camera in older devices, this app takes full advantage of the camera and video capabilities of the iPad 2. Video modeling is considered an evidence-based practice and provides an effective tool for instruction, intervention and behavioral supports. I can't wait to upgrade my first generation iPad!

iPrompt ($49.99) is a prompting app that provides picture schedules, visual countdown clocks and choice prompts. Schedules can have many pictures, or just two (a schedule of the day or first - then schedule, for example). It presents as a linear step view when holding the device vertically. Turn it horizontally and you swipe through each step or event. You can use photos and clip art provided by the app or take photos on the fly if you have a camera on your device. Since I am camera-less, I import photos through my camera adapter or search for photos from the Internet without ever leaving the app. Your schedules are saved in a general area (not assigned to individual users). The app recently added videos that you can purchase. These are pre-made and cover a range of topics from making conversation to manners. They even have a video on the different functions of pencil, pens and markers. I think I will be showing the "playing tag" video to a student of mine who runs and chases in PE class but does not understand the tagging part. This app will make you get rid of those old handmade schedule boards and re-purpose your velcro dots...they make great fidget tools when placed under a desk, by the way.

Two other options are First Then Video Schedule ($9.99) and Picture Scheduler ($2.99). Which app suits your needs?

Apps for Avoiders - Integrating Movement

2012-01-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

AMagill http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/193798416/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The overall approach to intervention for Sensory Avoiders is to offer discriminating sensory information to honor their low thresholds so they may engage in useful routines and habits. Discriminating movements are those that repeat in a simple sequence much like rocking in a rocking chair. These repetitive head and body movements help to calm a child who is overstimulated. Having sounds repeated in a rhythm through a simple sequence or beat is discriminating as well.

Now that we know that repetitive, linear movement helps to organize us, what would happen if this was paired up with a frightening sound? Balloon Pop does just that. In order to pop the balloon, you need to shake the device up and down. Do this is a rhythmical fashion and the child is using linear movement while the balloons pop. The sound turns into a simple beat instead of an unpredictable surprise. See if this helps you Avoiders acclimate to the sound.

Apps for Avoiders - Desensitize through Stories

2012-01-13T13:47:00.000-05:00

Never underestimate the power of stories. Try adding a tale to deal with upsetting noises and events. The Off We Go book series fit the bill.

Off We Go! books prepare children for everyday experiences and improve language and social skills. Each book tells the story of a particular event or everyday activity in a sequence of 12 steps. The Off We Go! book series help prepare a child to cope better with that new event or activity. Each book supports kids to partake in activities that they might otherwise find overwhelming, decrease parent stress levels, while at the same time provide a valuable learning tool.

Two of the books are made into apps. Going to The Dentist book app helps kids get ready for a dentist visit in an appealing way. They'll see what is likely to happen and hear some of the typical sounds from the dentist’s chair.

Airports and plane trips can be initimdating and frightening to a child. Going on a Plane book app is just the thing to read to help prepare for this journey.

These are both QBooks, an interactive digital picture book format by Kiwa Media. If you are not familiar with them, you are in for a surprise. Run your fingers over the text to see the words come alive (words seem to dance on the page as you hear the story). Touch any word to hear it said or spelt. Color in the book pages. Kids can record themselves or their parent, so that even the narration is a familiar comforting voice. Both apps are $3.99, well worth the price if these experiences are unsettling. Watch them in action in this video and see if you don't agree.

Apps for Avoiders - Particularly Bothersome Sounds

2012-01-12T08:39:00.000-05:00

Perhaps there is just one sound you need to target:

The loud industrial school toilets, particularly bothersome to those with sound sensitivities
Construction sounds with renovations in the schools (I have worked through this - we ran out of noise cancellation headphones that year!)
The sound of chalk during the Handwriting Without Tear "Wet, Dry, Try" activity
The visit to the dentist (we all know the sound of that drill adds to the pain!)

Choose any of the apps below to expose the student to specific noises while giving them the ability to lower the volume or to turn it on and off.

Apps for Avoiders - Annoying Sounds

2012-01-11T07:25:00.000-05:00

One fourth grader at my school is particularly sensitive to gum smacking. As I observed her in PE recently, she was trying to avoid a peer who was chewing loudly. When she was assigned to the team with this child, she looked up incredulously and muttered, "You mean with the girl chewing gum?" Instead of joining the team, she inconspicuously assigned herself to another team. How can we help children adapt to noises that cause them to flee from situations?

There are many apps that target particularly annoying sounds. Not surprisingly, most have "annoying" in the titles. Use these to target environmental sounds that are disturbing to an individual. Have the student control the volume when experiencing them.

The first one is Annoying Sounds - Free Sound Effects Boards. It has a quick on-off button, but you have to use the iPad volume button to lower the sound if needed. The sounds are divided into categories: high frequency, alarms, animals, eating, emergency, human, office, phone, random and wake up.

The school environment has a range of troubling noises. This app has them: fluorescent lights, coughs, blowing noses and clearing throats. Imagine the school cafeteria. It can be overflowing with upsetting sounds. Look for slurping and smacking lip sounds under the "human" category to help kids desensitize.

Here are some other annoying sound apps (all free). Both have a quick on-off switches and a repeat button. Volume needs to be controlled by the iPad volume button. Annoying Sounds! has twelve sounds, including hammering, in-sink-erator and garbage truck. Annoying Noises comes with 15 sounds including dripping, buzzing fly and a drone.

Annoying Sounds!

Annoying Noises!

If you feel you need more control for your Avoider, try Sounds Annoying! You can change the pitch, volume and filter using slider buttons. Did you not find the noise that you need to target? It has the ability to customize your sound if you buy the in app purchase option (99 cents). If there is a timer beep, a certain tick of a clock or a voice that may be grating to a particular individual, record it and use this for controlled exposure.

Apps for Avoiders - Bring on the Noise

2012-01-10T05:33:00.000-05:00

Even the most everyday sounds can be bothersome to Avoiders. Part of Avoiders' ability to handle noise is through control. They can prepare themselves if they are in the driver seat. There are apps that target typical sounds in our world (animals, vehicles, environmental noises). Given the chance to choose the sounds and listen after controlling the volume, the Avoider can prepare their nervous system and desensitize to the noise. Sounds are not so offensive if the volume is turned down.

Pocket Sounds is a collection of everyday sounds. There are six pages with eight sounds on each. The first five pages are sounds of objects and animals. The last page contains longer sound clips to listen to while falling asleep, relaxing or doing homework. There is a large volume slider at the bottom of each page for quick access to sound levels (no need to fumble with the side volume button on the iPad). How would this encourage participation at school or home?

Perhaps the students are going on a field trip. A child who may be bothered by the unexpected animal sounds can listen to farm animal sounds to become more comfortable in this environment.
Is the fire department visiting the school? Expose the student to emergency sounds to explore.
Going on a vacation? Have your child listen to airplane, traffic and crowds of people.
Opening day is less than three months away. Listen to the crowd "boo" (especially helpful if you are at Fenway and the Red Sox face the Yankees).
Finish the session with a favorite relaxing sound on the last page. Remember, Avoiders do well with routine, so stick to one song they enjoy. I like the garden sounds. It makes me feel like spring can't be too far away!

Teachers Have Sensory Needs Too

2012-01-09T12:37:00.000-05:00

Being an Avoider does not stop at childhood. These sensory processing patterns tend to stay with us throughout life. Hopefully the more we understand our sensory selves, the more we can develop strategies to help us navigate through life.

Having grown up in a large family, I am used to a significant amount of auditory chaos. I can generally tolerate a noisy working environment. This suits me in my current job as I work with students in a variety of natural environments: classrooms, loud cafeterias, boisterous playgrounds and gyms with poor acoustics. Each classroom has different noise levels. I think this reflects the range of tolerance individual teachers have for sound. If a teacher is an Avoider, the classroom is probably more structured and quiet. If a teacher is not bothered by noise, the sounds of students working and playing are more noticeable.

The TooLoud! app is ideal for the teacher who needs to limit noise in the classroom environment. It records decibels, displaying the volume levels in numbers. Use it to let the class know when they cross the auditory line. Hook your iPad up to the projector and manage the working noise level in class by letting the students see the feedback for themselves. The data is also visualized in a live graph and in a sliding bar that indicates the rising levels of clamor and babble. Watch out for the red zone...time to bring the level down!

Apps for Avoiders - Keep the Volume Down Low

2012-01-08T05:24:00.000-05:00

Ringer icon: screen shot from Auracle - Winter Is app by Auryn

Is there anything more annoying than turning on the car when someone left the radio blasting? This unexpected noise can happen when we open up a story book on the iPad with the volume turned all the way up. Let's teach Avoiders how to control the volume on their device in a quick efficient manner.

The volume button is a rocker switch on the side of the device. Keep pressing it to adjust the volume down or up. If you want to quickly mute it, hold it down steady for about two seconds.

The side switch above the volume rocker button can be set to lock the screen in portrait or landscape orientation OR to mute notifications and other sound effects. If you want to use this button for muting, go to Settings > General > "Use the Side Switch to..., " then tap Mute. This will turn the sound off in apps. The side switch does not mute audio or video playback such as music and movies. You still have to hold down the rocker switch for this.

To set a volume limit when listening to music, go to Settings > Music > Volume Limit.

Have Avoiders customize their own sound effects. If they don't like that swoosh sound when they send email, choose from over 25 sounds...maybe a choo choo? Go to Settings > General > Sounds > Sent Mail and choose an effect.

Adjust the alerts volume: Go to Settings > General > Sounds and drag the slider.

Turn off the keyboard clicks if these bother a student with avoiding tendencies. (I do this in meetings so as not to offend others)! Go to Settings > General > Sound > Keyboard Clicks and turn to off.

Apps for Avoiders - Having to Get Away From it All

2012-01-07T03:43:00.000-05:00

Photo by fekaylius http://www.flickr.com/photos/hive/2561151129/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Avoiders are similar to Sensors. They also have low thresholds which get met quickly. Their nervous system responds frequently to stimuli. The difference is that they don't passively accept the situation like Sensors. Because they are bothered by this sensory input, they actively try to avoid it. Hands go over ears, bodies seek retreat under tables or stubborn behavior arises.

The characteristic of this sensory processing pattern is craving limited exposure. Avoiders will run away from anything that offends them. As a result, these individuals establish rituals for themselves so they are not surprised by offending stimuli. They hesitate to make changes because change opens up the possibility of getting attacked with unexpected and bothersome noise, sights, sounds, movement and smells.

Withdrawal from experiences and the rigid routines that are created as coping strategies often affect participation at school and home. As adults, we want to honor their need for reduced input while introducing changes in small ways. Imagine a child who avoids textures in food. The result is a very limited diet. A knowledgeable parent respects this while introducing new textures a little at a time.

Some of the apps suggested for Sensors would be suitable for Avoiders as well. The difference is that Avoiders need the control. Let them manage the type and amount of sensory input they get. We will explore apps that have the ability to control input and make small incremental changes. Our goal is to help an individual cope and make changes that promote participation in life. Stay tuned.

Not So Flashy for Sensors, Please!

2012-01-06T13:49:00.000-05:00

Flashcards are a standard study tool. They come in all shapes and designs. Let's keep it to the minimum for Sensors, though. Flashcards+ is a free app that is promises just the basics. These are like the standard index cards you find at the office supply store. Adding decks and cards is quick and easy. Need something in a pinch? Don't create a set if someone has already done this. Flashcards+ taps into Quizlet.com's database of over 8 million decks. I downloaded Really Important Basis Spanish Verbs, Italian - Food and Meals, and Muscles of the Shoulder and Arm. Notice the range of categories.

In an IEP meeting this week, we discussed a student's struggle in math due to poor memorization of math vocabulary. This prompted me to download "Geometry Vocab" as well. Maybe you'll find what you need.

This is a totally free app...no ads to support it. The only thing you pay for is audio if you want to add this feature (22 languages in multiple dialects and both genders).

As Joe Friday from Dragnet would say "All we want are the facts, ma'am." This is just what the Sensors want also - to stay focused and learning.

Apps for Sensors - List It

2012-01-05T07:15:00.001-05:00

Sensors need more structure to keep them on task and avoid distractions. Wouldn't it be nice to have something handy on your iDevice to quickly set this up? You are in luck. QuickTodo lite is one of many apps that do just this. For Sensors, I like the simple and clean design of this free app...no fancy bells and whistles to take your mind off the task at hand. QuickTodo lite is a list maker that provides you with boxes to check offwhen you complete a task or step.

You can use it for homework:

You can use it to break a overwhelming task into manageable steps:

Definitely keep this "in hand" for instant structure!

Apps for Sensors - Visual Background

2012-01-04T07:56:00.000-05:00

Gaze HD - lite provides nine video scenes to "gaze" upon. Think of these as ways to block out other visual distractions. You can set it to shuffle through the scenes, but keep it on one preferred scene for the Sensor. Remember, they don't need random stimulation. There is an option to play natural sounds that make the view more realistic. In addition, there is a sleep mode that allows you to set a time before it fades to black. This would be a great help for those who detect everything to fall asleep, don't you think?

Encourage Sensors to chose a visual background that is most suitable to their needs. They can sit in front a cozy fire, a waterfall, a snowy day or other restful scenes. This might just be enough to help structure the setting and limit the variety of visual stimuli coming into view. It's free, so give it a go. A paid version with more scenes can be purchased here.

Apps for Sensors - Structured Noise

2012-01-03T16:53:00.001-05:00

The ticking of a clock is quickly pushed into the background for most people, but this sound is enough to distract Sensors from what they are doing. Help them to choose a background sound that is predictable, while blocking out other random sounds around them. Here are a few apps that you can try:

White Noise lite provides ambient noise to block out other distractions. The free version 10 sounds including rain, crickets, chimes, a fan, waves and a train ride. You can mix the sounds, but stick to one sound with Sensors.

You can purchase the sister app called White Noise Recorder. This allows you to record you preferred sounds (a fan you are used to for example). You take 10 - 30 seconds of the sound and it loops it for continuous play.

Piano Classics is a simple piano music box that plays 15 classical music songs including Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Wagner to name a few. Experiment with which song is the "just right" one.

There are many apps out there that fit the bill for calming, ambient background noise...what have you found as a favorite?

Wait! Apps for Sensors

2012-01-02T07:38:00.002-05:00

Sensors are those who detect everything. Nothing gets by them.
This makes them well suited for jobs that require noticing all the details (think airport security). In some environments, this pattern would make it difficult to focus on important stimuli because they would be attending to even the slightest sounds, sights, taste, smells or touch. They are distracted or bothered by things others do not even notice. We have a clock in our conference room at school that separates the Sensors from the Bystanders. The slight ticking sound is sure to to generate at least one comment while others are oblivious to it!

According to Winnie Dunn's classification of sensory patterns, Sensors direct their attention to the latest stimulus, drawing them away from what they were doing. When sensitivity interferes with participation, input should still be provided but in a more structured manner. They still need sensory input, but not random input. They operate best in a controlled setting.

Here are ways to structure sensory experiences for Sensors in school:

establish routines
provide feedback when drifting off
reduce visual distractions
create predictable patterns of sensory experiences
limit amount of information or steps provided to child at one time
encourage an even tempo during work time
select an even background noise to block out auditory distractions

Is there an app for that? Indeed there is...many in fact. My favorite is a simple WaitStrip, described this way:

"The WaitStrip provides a concrete visual representation of increments of time, amount of steps to be completed, number of minutes to work, number of math problems to be completed etc. It is a visual guide that allows an individual to remain on task or focused for a duration of time."

You can determine the number of circles (5, 8, 10) to coincide with the number of items or steps to complete. When one thing is completed, touch a circle and it changes color. It has a satisfying click sound, but you Sensor may want the sound turned off. This is just the predictability and structure sensors need...and it is all at your fingertips!

Plunge into the New Year

2012-01-01T07:25:00.002-05:00

Granted, it was sunny and 45 degrees, but walking barefoot with winter coats on after taking a plunge into the North Atlantic is a bit out of the ordinary. You might even call it "out of the box."

If you were on Easton's Beach on New Year's Day, you would think it was more of the norm, however. You would have been one of thousands plunging into the chilly water to greet the new year head on.

How can we jump out of our boxes in school? What "out of the ordinary" thing will you do? Bring a crowd with you...it will seem more like the norm. Guaranteed it will be refreshing!

Apps for Bystanders - Worksheets A Glow

2011-12-31T20:04:00.000-05:00

Most Bystanders look at a worksheet and see "Blah blah blah." Nothing jumps out at them. How do you add the pizazz that will make them notice? Glow Coloring is a drawing app that uses brightly colored paints. I have this app but didn't realized the MacGyver possibilities until I read The Speech Guy's post on Spice up those boring worksheets with your iPad!! Go there now to see how he uses this in therapy sessions.

There are many apps that offer neon colors, but the game changer is being able to import a photo as a background. Once you save an online worksheet as an image (pressing the power button and home button simultaneously), you can add it as a background right within the app. Now draw, trace and circle your choices with glowing colors. Here are some I have dabbled with:

Therapy Fun Zone's pencil path is a free sample, part of Pencil Adventures you can purchase.

Your Therapy Source offers packets of activities covering a variety of themes that are reasonably priced. There's usually a sample to try for free.

In addition to suiting the Bystanders in your group, this saves paper - a win win situation!

Apps for Bystanders - Intensify Spelling

2011-12-30T16:41:00.003-05:00

Need a way to jazz up your spelling practice? Try Magnetic Board lite. It is a simple app that allows you to drag brightly colored magnetic letters onto a dark background, adding touch, sight and sound to your drills.

You can save pictures of the words to your camera roll with a click of a button. Simply make a new album in your photo app and call it "spelling words." Now you can create a slide show of the week's list of spelling words for a quick review. Don't forget to add music to your slide show if this would intensify the experience for your Bystander!

Apps for Bystanders - Dazzle Your Writing and Drawing

2011-12-29T08:56:00.002-05:00

Doodle Buddy is one of my most used apps for drawing and writing. Kids like to choose their writing tool color but typically they use a white background. How can we adapt this for Bystanders? First, use a black background and a neon type color (yellow, orange, pink) to provide a good contrast. Then, make your pen size thicker. You would be surprised what a difference this makes.

VS

You can choose from the list of stickers to draw or write. Most come with a sound. Why not use the fire sticker to write a letter F? Can't you just hear the crackle? No, really you can. Giggle along with the smiley face sticker to make an S. Hear the ball bouncing as you execute a B.

Here are a few more thoughts on intensifying sensory input:

Use two fingers to draw to increase the touch feedback.
Choose the glitter tool to write...visually engaging, but no mess!
Pick an interesting background as your "paper".

Apps for Bystanders - Animate Your Drawings

2011-12-28T08:55:00.000-05:00

Kidoodle: Pirate is a digital coloring book that tells a story with a twist. You personalize the pages of this fun pirate tale by adding your own illustrations. When you are finished, your drawing comes alive! Objects move, pirates dance, fish swim by, foods disappear and flags get blown way with a canon. This is sure to catch the eye of even the strongest Bystander! I have found this app to engage even the most reluctant artist. Your art is taken to new heights through the animations.

Watch this video to get a better sense:

Apps for Bystanders - Taking Notice of Books!

2011-12-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

iBooks is the free app for downloading books to read on your ipad, iphone or ipod touch. There are so many ways to customize the text, making it ideal for Bystanders. The text can be made larger. You can choose the font just right for you. If you need to keep track of characters in a story, highlight them by tapping on the word. An annotation palette pops up, making it easy to choose a color for your highlighted text. If you are studying adjectives, these can be tapped and highlighted with a different color. Easily adjust your screen brightness to find the perfect lighting for any environment. Find a word, character, or phrase anywhere in your book with the built-in search feature.

Enhanced books are well suited for Bystanders. The latest iBooks version can now automatically play audio or video included with these enhanced books. Certain children's books from the iBookstore have the read-aloud feature. This feature uses a real narrator to read the book to you and in some books will even highlight the words as you read along.

You can search for "enhanced books" in the itunes store. Try out Box Head Man to see an example of one. It is 99 cents, but you can sample the book for free (just make sure you have automatic downloads enabled for ibooks under the app store settings). I think any bystander would sit up and take notice.

Apps for Bystanders

2011-12-26T22:13:00.002-05:00

Bystanders seem to let the world pass by. They miss much that is going on around them. This sensory pattern is not necessarily dysfunctional as long as life choices are made with it in mind. Being a bystander can be a strength in certain contexts. Imagine a chaotic environment. You would want someone who could "keep calm and carry on."

Bystanders need sensations intensified so that they notice the important stuff. Their thresholds are high like seekers...they just never meet them on their own volition. In order for salient information to be noticed, it needs to be made bigger, brighter or animated. In school, accommodations include brightly colored paper under worksheets to bring a student's attention to his/her desk. Directions or important information are highlighted to separate them from the background. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Yes, there's an app for that!

This series of blog posts will look at apps with the Bystander in mind.

PEACE

2011-12-25T07:54:00.001-05:00

Create your own message with these designer letters, thanks to The Daily Drop Cap

Fun in the Classroom

2011-12-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

I spent time this past Thursday working in a first grade class as the students built gingerbread houses. Fifth grade students were on hand to give assistance to the younger kids. This was a great time for me to have my students work on "delicate" touch as they carefully placed the graham crackers together and decorated the sides with candy without them caving in. There were some mishaps, so frustration tolerance was needed. They practiced cutting licorice with a plastic knife. Their inclination was to grasp it like a hammer, but I showed them how to place their index fingers on the top of the knife to exert downward force. Presto...success.

Photos were shared using Smilebox, a free tool for creating slide shows, invitations or greetings. Parents got a peek at this fun activity after they were emailed a link. Sharing school experiences with families is so much easier with technology now. What is your favorite tool for sharing?

Today's Message

2011-12-23T10:08:00.002-05:00

(You know what this means if you work in the schools today.)
To generate your own message, go to Keep Calm-o-matic and create a personalized poster.

Habits - Still Swimming and Blogging!

2011-12-22T05:19:00.000-05:00

Swimming in Walden on the shortest day of the year

Here it is 18 days into my challenge of daily blogging for a month. Hard? Yes, but worthwhile. I am back to sharing and in turn, exploring and discovering as well. After the 30 days, I hope blogging takes a presence in my life just as swimming did (not daily, but as a regular rhythm). Now to take a deep breath and dive in again!

Finishing Thoughts on Seekers

2011-12-21T04:23:00.001-05:00

I can't leave this conversation about apps for sensory seekers without mentioning Toca Boca apps. They add a great combination of quality visuals with sound and touch capabilities. You end up with an experience full of sensations and delight.

Try the free Toca Hair Salon - Christmas Gift to get a feel for them. In this app, you can cut, color and put product in Santa's hair. He may need a beard trim as well. To top it off, you can us the blow dryer for a surprising effect.

What fun!

Now take a look at all the other apps they have created.

Seeking Touch

2011-12-20T06:23:00.001-05:00

Are you seeking more touch in your life? Try a little game of Fruit Ninja to get your fingers swiping and tapping fruit pieces. The Lite version is a good start and it is free. You get a sneak peek at Zen Mode, Game Center Multiplayer and an Arcade Mode. In Zen mode, you relax and slice. The arcade mode is played at a more frenzied pace. You can just taste the fruit as you slice it! I soon realized I had to upgrade to the full version because we were playing it so much.

Another "touchy" app is Rockmate. It includes a variety of instruments. Up to four players can jam on one ipad. I just showed it to my son (can you tell he is home from college and is my best guinea pig?) and he exclaimed, "Now, this is cool." He had years of piano but I am hopelessly unmusical. We still got a beat going. Put a little rhythm in your life!

Seeking Movement

2011-12-19T04:50:00.000-05:00

iMuseCubes is an app that encourages movement...short bits of movement whenever you need it. For those who have high thresholds and seek movement to meet those thresholds, this little app is ideal.
They describe it on itunes this way...

"Directions:
Step 1: Notice you're feeling stuck
Step 2: Shake your iMuseCubes
Step 3: You'll see two verbs. Do both at the same time!
Step 4: Repeat at least 3 times for best results
Research shows:
- Our brains evolved at a time when humans walked 12 miles a day.
- The way we move our bodies has a direct effect on the way we solve problems.
- Inspired thinking occurs during the moments of relaxation after focusing hard
- Playfulness increases efficiency, productivity, and overall health. Plus, it's fun!

iMuseCubes was designed with this research in mind. It shakes you out of your regular thinking grooves, giving you access to the brains in your whole body. With iMuseCubes you get to howl, wiggle and whoop your way to new perspectives and greater productivity."

My son and I tried them last night. I never like shaking my ipad, so luckily they had a shake button. The sound affects had us both chuckling. The "laugh" cube was the most contagious but the "howl" cube got us giggling too. Check out the MuseCubes blog here. Besides the app, you can buy the actual cubes or make your own!