I'm a full-time mummy

Early this month, I received an email from Mary who is working for Fraser regarding this app. In her email, she mentioned that this app was designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10 and was created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.

I decided to review it as I would like Ben to see for himself how children take care of their oral hygiene. Anyway, my review as below is based on the walkthrough of how to have a good oral care at home...

* Title: My Healthy Smile
* Price: $4.99
* Category: Health & Fitness
* Released: 02 October 2010
* Current Version: 1.0
* Size: 21.9 MB
* Language: English
* Developer: Fraser
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Description from the product page:

* A social scripts app designed for children developmentally between the ages of 3 and 10 to teach good oral health and to make dental visits more comfortable.
* Especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities; could be used by adults with developmental disabilities.
* Offers 11 audio and visual social scripts in a mobile format that is easy to use in everyday situations.
* Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays, getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing, and healthy eating.
* Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families.
* Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. requires iOS 3.0 or later.

More info from the iTunes Store product page:

"The My Healthy Smile app was developed through a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to teach children about good oral health and to ease anxieties around dental visits. This app offers 11 audio & visual social scripts to show children what to expect at the dentist and how to have good oral care at home. Topics include: having your teeth cleaned, taking X-rays and getting fillings, losing a tooth, brushing and healthy eating. “My Healthy Smile” is designed for children between the developmental ages of 3 and 10. The use of social scripts works especially well for children who have autism or developmental disabilities. Created in partnership with dentists, oral health professionals and families."

I have mentioned before how good an app to me is based on how often Ben goes back to playing and/or using it. And as for this app, oh well, Ben listens to it almost every day! Whenever I asked him what he wants to play on the iPad, he goes 'Ceh-ceh (sister in Chinese) brush teeth!'

What's good?

* I like that the display does not get affected or blurred even when I use the double size setting (2X) for my iPad as the app was developed for iPhone use.

* The app is very easy to use, you can either click at the 'Dentist Office' (for walkthrough on what to expect at the dentist) or 'At Home' (for walkthrough on how to have good oral care at home)

* I like that the visual walkthrough features children around Ben's age as he can relate himself to the example shown.

Room for Improvements?

* I would prefer if the narrator speaks slower in the 'Read to Me' mode as I realised my toddler started being confused when the pictures changes when he was still trying to understand what he heard.

* I would prefer if the Home icon goes back to the available topics under 'Dentist Office' or 'At Home' instead of the current setting which goes straight to the main screen.

Summary:

Although this app was especially good for children with autism or developmental disabilities, that does not mean we should avoid trying out this app.

I personally feel that this app is very helpful and educational regardless of the child's condition. Ben has been more eager to practise his brushing and although we have yet to try the dentist walkthrough (he is afraid of doctors), I believe that in time, Ben will be more receptive to it.

You can purchase the "My Healthy Smile" app from the iTunes App Store.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

At 32 months old, Ben is still taking about 2 hours nap during the day time. I am so so so thankful for this as I get to relax a bit in that 2 hours.

But there are times when Ben was so playful and hyperactive that he refuses to take his nap when the time comes. I normally will tolerate for about half hour past his normal naptime (which was quite bad actually since he'll be awake at a later time) but anything past this hour will guarantee me forcing him awake until we have our dinner and then we'll let him sleep earlier at night to compensate for the missing daytime nap.

I remembered a few weeks ago, no matter how I coaxed him to sleep, Ben refused to take his nap. After a while, I  realised it was very very quiet in the room. I looked out for him and caught him lying on our spare mattress (which we used to block Alyson's playpen as there are some space between her playpen and our bed).

You know what I saw?

Ben fast asleep...

Since it was just half hour past his normal daytime nap, I gently carried him up and transferred him onto our bed and let him continue his nap.

So how about you? Do you have any rules on daytime nap for your child?

If you are in my situation, what will you do?

Do you wake your child up or let them continue sleeping?

(*Article first published as Book Review: Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out by Ava Parnass & Dr. Ron Taffel on Blogcritics.)

I was obviously intrigued when I saw the book title! I mean, "Time In"? Without further ado, below is my review for the "Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out" book:

Title: "Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out"
Authors: Ava Parnass & Dr. Ron Taffel
Illustrations: Kate Kaminski, Laura Waldusky & Bianca Black
Publisher:  Ava Parnass (2011)
ASIN: B0029JE0II
Paperback & E-book

Description from the product page:
"This book is a game changer, Ms Parnass coined the phrase Time-In Not Time Out and shows parents exactly how to do that! The book is part parenting field guide and part interactive story book.  It’s a book both parents and children will want to return to again and again.  Using this book with  children is fun and helps connect with them on a deeper level. Use it and  watch misbehavior disappear!  It’s pure relationship magic!  Excerpts from the book appeared in Nick Jr. Family Magazine for 3 consecutive months."

We have started using Time-Out approach about two months back. Maybe it's because of Alyson's arrival that causes Ben to be more demanding and throwing tantrums when things does not go his way (to seek our attention perhaps?) The problem with Ben is the moment he starts crying, he tunes out and it's hard to talk to him until you get him to quiet down and stop his crying. So the title of this book "Listen to Me Please!" just hits the note as that's what I said to Ben whenever I try to calm him down and stop his crying.

I like that this book guides you on how to use it, when is the most appropriate moment and timing to read this book with your child and to encourage your child to choose the page he/she likes the most.

I also like that there is some pointers under "Conversation Starters" that gets the discussion moving along between parents and the child.

There's even parenting tips provided (page 6-12) that includes ways to tackle the specific problems.

I hope to be able to use the approaches from this book whenever the situation arises. I personally learned a lot from this book and I am glad to be able to review this book!

Room for Improvements?

* I would prefer if the illustrations are all of the same type (maybe it's just my weird preference)

You can get this book from http://listentomeplease.com/books/listen-to-me-please website, Amazon and many more.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a PDF copy of the book by the author in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"