FirstKeyboard app for iPhone and iPad

FIRST KEYBOARD
Children, young adults, and those with a learning disability sometimes find handwriting slow to develop. The downside to that is word construction or spellings are often held up too. If you’re one of those students, this app is for you. Yes, you can do the same on computers but having it on an iPad gives you the convenience of anywhere, anytime.

In this digital age the sooner the pupil gets to know their way around a keyboard the better. This keyboard is very user friendly with very little clutter. It has the basics of full alphabet, shift for one letter capitals, full stop for short sentences, apostrophe when required, back space to eliminate errors and all clear to start over.

The typed text is large and clear for easy learning and will go smaller as you fill the screen up to accommodate the text. This app is ideal for working in conjunction with our “First Words” app.

The sound can be turned on or off depending on individual circumstances.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Whilst this app is designed to address the handwriting issue, it is not a substitute for practical handwriting practice. Active therapy has a handwriting programme that has proved enormously success for those having difficulties.

PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT
When teaching it may be that we do not put enough emphasis on “DATA OVERLOAD”. A pupil may struggle even though you are sure they know the letters. When typing the alphabet, we have found that pupils find it easier to remember when using alphabet chants. Be prepared to work in segments. With practise and improvement in speed of neurological processing, anxiety in coping with a full keyboard is reduced, giving the student more confidence.

USING THE APP
1. Learning the way around the keyboard by typing the alphabet is a useful start.

2. Compiling words on this app is very simple and should be used at all levels of development.

3. It would be useful to use in conjunction with our “First Words” app where appropriate.

4. This app is also ideal for compiling short sentences.

Learning note: As with all our apps, be prepared to go back to re-enforce where necessary.


ACTIVE THERAPY FOUNDATION
Active Therapy Foundation is a UK charity with aims of promoting social inclusion, providing innovative and dedicated coaching therapy programmes, making "Active therapy" available to all, thus developing skills and enabling individuals to participate more fully in society.

Active therapy explores ways of developing higher achievement levels for people with disabilities. It pushes the boundaries of “accept and adapt” and has a direct approach to systematic problem solving.

The programme is practically based, working on the principle of self-achievement. It is designed to explore ways of giving a feeling of achievement at ALL levels of ability, breaking down the skills sufficiently so that EVERYONE CAN SUCCEED.