My 1st Signs User Guide - Activities
To select an activity, tap its button in the tab bar at the bottom of the screen.
All the activities have a tool bar at the top of the screen. You can use this to navigate through the pages of the activity, either one sign at a time (< and >) or to the first or last sign (<< and >>) or to refresh the current page (circular arrow).
The padlock button in the tool bar can be used to lock the app into the current activity: this disables the << and >> buttons at the top and all the buttons in the tab bar at the bottom. This button is designed to be child-proof: you must press and hold it for 3 seconds to lock or unlock.
Each activity will normally work through the enabled signs in the same order as shown in the list of categories and lists of signs. If you prefer to mix up the order of the signs, turn on Shuffle Signs in the app's settings (see Chapter 4).
Tapping the ⓘ button in the toolbar pops up a description of how to make the current sign (as a reminder for the adult working alongside the child).
Look & Sign
This is an introductory activity that shows each sign alongside a picture of the corresponding object or action, and the matching written word.
Use the > button in the tool bar to move to the next page. Alternatively, set Advancing To Next Page to Automatic in the Settings.
To control how sounds are used in this and the other activities, adjust the app's Settings.
Find Picture
Each page displays a sign at the bottom, and 3 pictures at the top, only one of which matches the sign below.
The idea is to tap the correct picture. Once you've done so, the incorrect pictures are hidden, the correct one slides into position beside the sign, and a green tick (check) and the written word appear.
If you tap either of the incorrect pictures, they are faded and a red cross appears over them. You can then try again.
The words “try again” are spoken for an incorrect response, and the sound of applause is played as a reward for a correct one, but you can turn off either or both in the Settings.
Find Sign
This is like Find Picture, except this time there is one picture, and 3 signs, only one of which matches the picture. The idea is to tap the correct sign.
Find Picture and Find Sign are often particularly suitable for children who haven't yet progressed to using written words, or who are new to the app.
Sign & Words
Each page displays a sign at the bottom, and 3 written words at the top, only one of which matches the sign below.
The idea is to tap the correct word.
This is essentially a more advanced version of Find Picture, using written words instead of pictures, for children who are at the stage of learning written English as well as signs.
Word & Signs
This is like Sign & Words, except this time there is one word, and 3 signs, only one of which matches the word. The idea is to tap the correct sign.