Reviewed by Wendy What it is: This site is dedicated to children with special needs, their parents and teachers. It was started in 1996 thanks to an NIH Small Business Innovation Research grant and gets more than 11 million views each month! There are printable picture cards designed to foster communication in children with autism,… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: This award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring actors reading children’s books (alongside illustrations). Sometimes, kids read the books. Other times, famous celebrities—such as Eva Longoria, James Earl Jones, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Viola Davis, Annette Bening, Betty White and Kevin Costner—narrate. Brain Benefits: Visual processing, auditory processing, attention,… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: The best way to describe this free award-winning app is “Klondike solitaire but with letters.” You start by dragging letters onto one another to arrange them into words. Then you flip over the card underneath it to expose another letter. You also need to use the provided letters (the… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: Before you think I’m advocating gambling, let me clarify that this is really more of a free math-training app. In fact, the app’s description even says, “It’s a perfect way to practice your blackjack skills, train your brain or just pass the time.” Brain Benefits: processing speed, math computations,… read more
What It Is: Connect 4 is like a new take on the classic game Tic-Tac-Toe, except that your aim is to get four in a row instead of three. The appearance of the game is a bright blue table top stand and equally colorful red and yellow discs. It is a two player game and… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: Who new AARP – the American Association of Retired Persons has a section of games on its website? If you like fun brain-building games like Mahjongg, Solitaire, Backgammon, crosswords and sudoku, this site is a goldmine! Brain Benefits: memory, auditory and visual processing, logic & reasoning, attention, processing speed What… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: FarFaria.com is an app that helps create a love of reading. The app offers professional narration and unlimited access to more than 1,000 books. The site/app has won numerous awards, including the Family Choice Award (2012 and 2014), the Mom’s Choice Award (2014) and the BMA Summer Silver Award… read more
LearningRx Reviews One More Story Website Reviewed by Wendy What it is: One More Story is a subscription-based online library of the best children’s illustrated books set to music and read aloud to children. (There’s also an “I Can Read It” mode for kids who want to read to themselves.) The site launched in 2005 and has… read more
LearningRx Reviews Signing Time DVDs Reviewed by Wendy What it is: The Signing Time video series teaches children of all ages and abilities (even babies!) to communicate using American Sign Language through original songs, music, videos and animation. It’s an incredibly effective way to increase communication in babies and toddler and cut down on tantrums. Brain… read more
LearningRx Reviews Brainilis Smart Phone App Reviewed by Wendy What it is: Brainilis is a free, fun brain game app that lets you work on cognitive skills. Since there are three difficulty levels for each game, it’s appropriate for kids and adults. Brain Benefits: logic & reasoning, attention, memory, processing speed, visual processing, math skills What I love:… read more
