Talk Tales: Simple Words

What is Talk Tales: Simple Words app?

Talk Tales: Simple Words is designed by a trained speech therapist to support all children in saying specific target words, as you will see later in this review the exact words it focuses on. Its aim is to be fun and engaging and allow children to learn at their own pace and allows for unlimited repetition of the target words. While all children learning to speak would benefit from this app, it is designed based on motor learning theory to help children with childhood apraxia or an autism spectrum disorder as well. The highlight of Talk Tales: Simple Words is the fun song that accompanies the interactive book. It is very catchy and one that children will enjoy listening to.

What we love about Talk Tales: Simple Words app?

Talk Tales: Simple Words biggest plus points are its ability to allow for continual repetition as well as individual videos for each of the target words alongside the interactive story book as you read it. This really helps give a clear learning purpose to the app. The presentation of the app is attractive to the younger audience it is targeting. It is easy to look at and follow along. The song is a great plus point and enjoyable to listen to.

Moreover, the “About this App” section also gives parents and teachers/SLPs ideas about how to use the app. This section also mentions free downloadable practice colouring sheets may be found on Talk Tale’s website.

What skills does it teach?

Talk Tales: Simple Words teaches children how to say the following words through a clear demonstration video: Bobby, baby, mama, papa, haha, hehe, boo, happy, no, mad, wa, hug, bed and night night. This works alongside the interactive story book, allowing for maximum exposure as well as being taught in the right context with accompanying pictures. The app could be used independently by the child as it has a read to me feature but also with an adult with a read it myself option.

What age is it appropriate for?

Talk Tales: Simple Words is made for children 0-5 years old and from 4+. This is because it is aimed at supporting children with apraxia and autism. Once a child has become familiar with its features, they would be able to use this on their own.

How much does Talk Tales: Simple Words app cost?

This review used the full version of Talk Tales: Simple Words. To use the app it requires a one off payment of £11.99. This gives the user instant access to all the apps features with no advertising or in app purchases. There isn't an option for a free trial or a free version.

Is Talk Tales: Simple Words app safe to use?

Talk Tales: Simple Words is safe to use. It doesn't require any personal information, have any advertisements or social media links. The privacy policy is easily found on the developer's website.

Is Talk Tales: Simple Words app easy to use?

Talk Tales: Simple Words is easy to use and navigate. Its simplicity allows for children to be able to use this independently if they wish. As soon as you open the app it takes you to an interactive first page, signposting you to the different features of Talk Tales: Simple Words. From here you can access all the options the app has to offer.

How will students benefit?

Talk Tales: Simple Words would benefit children as it is showing them how to say target words in an interactive story and a catchy song version of the story too. This would entice children to keep revisiting the app. The repetitive characters on each page also add another interest to the story as they are doing different things each time too for children to spot.

The story could be played daily in supporting the over learning of the words to help them become easier for the children to learn and say. The graphics are simply animated which would appeal to children, they are not too busy and overwhelming, which would help children with autism.

How will parents benefit?

Talk Tales: Simple Words support parents in teaching their child the right way to form the sounds through the instructional videos created by the trained speech and language therapist. This gives parents confidence in knowing they are showing their children correctly. The opportunity for repetition also takes the pressure of parents to have to keep doing the teaching themselves. The one-off payment gives parents the peace of mind that there are no in app purchases or advertisements to worry about when the child is accessing the app and that the learning is the only main focus.

How will teachers benefit?

Talk Tales: Simple Words could be used as an independent activity for pupils in the classroom. This would allow teachers to focus on other areas as they know the app is supporting the direct teaching of these specific target words. The engaging song could be learnt by the whole class to sing making it fun for all.

What can Talk Tales: Simple Words app improve on?

Talk Tales: Simple Words could perhaps add a section which just has the demonstration videos on for quick easy reference if a child wanted to just focus on one word rather than going through the whole story. Another improvement would be adding a game for children to play after the story to further practise the target words.

Overall rating of the app.

Talk Tales: Simple Words receives an educational store rating of 5. It is a fun and engaging app for children to learn target words in context with the support of a trained speech therapist supporting how to say the words accurately.