Learning to Read is a Ball {Review and Giveaway}

"What can I do to help my child improve their language skills?" This is a common question I hear regularly, especially now that I'm working with preschoolers. Although it may not be a mystery to us in the field, many parents (and other professionals) do not know how or what to do with their little ones when it comes to literacy.

Kimberly Scanlon's book, "Learning to Read is a Ball" is just the type of resource for those who are looking to work on important language skills but are unsure of how to do so.

In this simply illustrated book, you will find a 28-page picture book accompanied by a 17-page parent guide that covers techniques to develop oral language, strategies to improve vocabulary using synonyms and antonyms, methods of increasing print awareness and much more!

One of my favorite illustrations from the book.

Undoubtedly, children will find the illustrations and story line of "Learning to Read is a Ball" captivating. However, I believe the parent guide is the most valuable portion of this book. Not only will it provide strategies and tips to use with "Learning to Read is a Ball", but it also serves as a great jumping-off point for a host of other books!

The parent guide is a handy resource for parents and professional alike

Bottom line, I will definitely be recommending this book to the preschool families I work with. "Learning to Read is a Ball", can also serve as a lovely parting gift for many of my students who are transitioning to kindergarten.

So now that I've gushed over this wonderful book, you're probably interested in getting your hands on it! Lucky for you Kimberly was kind enough to provide a copy for me to giveaway. Enter below with Rafflecopter.


Please note that comments will ONLY appear once I've reviewed and approved them (prevents postings from spam-bots). If your comment doesn't appear immediately, wait a few hours. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure Statement: I was provided a copy of this app by the developer. No other compensation was provided. This review includes solely my opinions.

Phonological Awareness Lab {App Review & Giveaway}

Have you heard about the recent release by Smarty Ears? It's an interactive app meant to target phonological awareness and it's called Phonological Awareness Lab ($14.99).

Users can work on 4 different skills in each "lab" (see below)

Skills such as syllable blending, sound blending, rhyming identification and matching can all be targeted.

The Sentence Experiment Lab
This lab requires users to identify the amount of words in an orally presented sentence. Users tap the dropper for each word they hear. The beaker will turn green once the correct amount of words have been identified.

The Decoding Room Lab
This lab requires users to listen to syllables or words (both an option in this lab) and identify the image that was heard from Frankenstein.

The Rhyming Compound Lab
This lab offers three (3) tasks. Users can identify, select, and/or match rhymes.

1. Rhyming Identification
Users listen to words and determine if they rhyme.The words are presented orally and visually.

Select the green button for a rhyme and red if words don't rhym

2. Rhyming Selection
Users select a word that rhymes with the provided target . Once again, all items are presented orally and visually.

3. Rhyming Match
Users select four (4) rhyming words out of a field of seven (7).

Syllable X-Ray Lab
This activity requires users to identify words containing target syllables. For example, the image below requires the user to identify the word that contains two (2) syllables as indicated by the two (2) dots on the left portion of the images.

What I Liked:

• Data can be monitored and user performance can be shared with various parties. 
• Many opportunities to practice each skill.
• The laboratory theme makes this app appear light, fun and "game-like"

What I Would Like:

• A little less clicking. It would be great if the main menu could be accessed more easily.
• Improved image quality. Some of the images were difficult to make out due to sizing, pixelation, and abstractness. 

To see Phonological Awareness Lab in action take a look at the video below:

App Compatibility:
Phonological Awareness Lab is compatible with iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with the iPad.

Want to try it out for yourself?! Please enter below for a chance to win a free download of this app. The giveaway ends Thursday, November 13th at 12:01 AM. Good luck!

Please note that comments will ONLY appear once I've reviewed and approved them (prevents postings from spam-bots). If your comment doesn't appear immediately, wait a few hours. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Disclosure Statement: I was provided a copy of this app by the developer. No other compensation was provided. This review includes solely my opinions.