Syllables Splash
Syllables Splash gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Syllables Splash can help early readers develop sound associations with common sight words. It provides easily adjustable word lists, has engaging graphics, and allows kids to create their own avatar or upload their own image. Syllables Splash doesn't, however, provide direct instruction for dissecting syllables, and may not be the most helpful tool for younger users or kids with language delays.What kids can learn
Syllables Splash provides a number of interactive features, including choosing an avatar, deciding the number of choices, adjusting the specific words kids practice, and choosing a buzzer or chomping shark for incorrect answers. The graphics are cute and thematic (underwater) and might help kids stay engaged while practicing syllable differentiation.
Syllables Splash doesn't use the best approach for breaking down words into syllables. Words are read aloud and players select the correct number of syllables in each presented word, without having to break the word apart at the vowels or differentiate between open and closed syllables.
Overall support is available and a video tutorial is present on the home screen. While in the game, players can click on the help icon and a turtle appears to clap out the number of syllables the read word has. However, the word isn't re-read, so kids might not associate the claps with the actual syllable breaks.
What's it about?
Kids can quickly get started with SYLLABLES SPLASH by pressing "Quick Play" or creating their own character by pressing "Select Player" from the home screen. Once the game starts, an image appears in the periscope lens and users are asked to choose the correct number of syllables in that word. Kids can press the circular arrows above the image to see the word spelled out or press the "Help" star towards the bottom of the screen to hear an animated turtle clap out the correct number of syllables in the word. When kids choose the correct answer, there is a celebratory chime and another image or word pops up. If the incorrect number is chosen, a shark eats that choice, eliminating it as an option. Right and wrong answers are compiled on their "report card" which can be accessed once they click "Done" in the top corner.
Is it any good?
Though Syllables Splash can help emerging readers practice counting the correct number of syllables, it doesn't explicitly teach syllable rules. Kids with language delays may not make the connection between the words and the number of syllables. The turtle that helps by clapping out syllables does it in isolation: the word isn't spoken at the same time, which seems to defeat the purpose of the support. The words don't always follow capitalization rules which may confuse some readers. Syllables Splash may work well as an engaging time-filler, but it doesn't follow best practices for teaching syllabication. The percentages of right versus wrong answers could be a helpful feature, but may be recording inaccurate information if kids are just counting the number of times the turtle claps instead of relating it back to the word they just heard.
Families can talk about...
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Families can talk about how words are broken down into syllables. Beginning with compound words (cookbook, spaceship, baseball, etc) parents can ask kids to come up with as many compound words as they can. Write these words down on construction paper and cut them in half where the syllable splits them. For fun, rearrange these syllable parts to create new two-syllable (compound) words.
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Using tangible counters (rocks, paper clips, candy, or coins), write longer words on construction paper. Have kids place a counter below each syllable in each word. Help them to identify where each syllable is, and then count how many syllables each word has.
App details
| Device: | iPad |
| Price: | $7.99 |
| Pricing structure: | Paid |
| Release date: | November 10, 2014 |
| Category: | Educational Games |
| Topics: | Ocean creatures |
| Size: | 143.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Smarty Ears |
| Version: | 2.0 |
| Minimum software requirements: | 5.1.1 or later |
