Signing Numbers & Colors Oct 16, 2011

(App has been updated and the review will be updated soon.)

(Updated Nov. 4 2011)

This is a very cute app that will teach you (and your kids) colors and numbers up to 10 in ASL (American Sign Language.)

To get this story you need to download the Library app ‘Interactive Touch Books’ and from there you can purchase a variety of storybook apps created by a variety of authors and illustrators as in-app purchases. ‘Signing Numbers & Colors’ is one storybook inside this library. I prefer apps to be stand-alone but that’s more of a preference than a criticism and it can be difficult for developers without coding knowledge to make happen. In this case it is fun to have one app to keep several storybooks in and there is a variety of books available free and paid.

On each page is a number, a color, a cute little rhyme and an interactive element. The first page is about ’1 yellow sun’. It is narrated nicely (audio quality is good, if a little bit quiet) and  the images are very cute (as a designer, I am probably overly critical in this department but this app doesn’t lack in adorability or charm), the signs are demonstrated in a video slowly and clearly. Each page has an interactive element to it, so on the first page, you touch the sun and it moves across the page, I like that the kids can use their hands to interact with the book even if they aren’t ready (or willing) to try out the signs it’s teaching, it means the experience is very well rounded whatever way you choose to interact with it.

My favorite part (and indeed the purpose of this book) is the signing. In the bottom right of the page is a video in which author Rosemary (or just her hands, depending on the sign) demonstrates the sign for the number and color of that page (see screenshots below for 3 and Black). The signs are demonstrated slowly and clearly, perfect for a young child or a beginner to learn the right movement and hand & finger positioning.

 

 

As soon as we got this app my 6 year old and I went through it trying the signs together. We don’t know any deaf families but my kids are interested in sign language (as am I) and we enjoy ‘trying our hands’ at it if you will. We had a lot of fun with this app and Madam (6y/o) enjoyed the little interactive bits and the 2 games at the end of the story too.

There is music in the app but it can be turned off so I’m tagging the app ‘No Music’ for that reason.

Download: Signing Colors & Numbers in the Interactive Touch Books store.

In Short

We've had Signing Numbers & Colors for a few weeks now and it is one we go back to and continue to enjoy. Definitely recommended if you're interested in learning these signs or teaching them to children or beginners.

Muslim Friendly Rating

Rated a Whole Apple, which means we highly recommend this app.

Details

• Price (at the time of review) $1.99
• Platform: Universal
• Developer: http://www.spiritleddesigns.com/