What is This?

Educational Objectives

Observe, explore and build vocabulary by pointing to and naming objects.

Introduction to colors.

Description- Your child will be introduced to common household items and colors that may be found in her house.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Point to the object and name the object for your child: “This is a crib.”
2. Ask your child to show a specific item: “Where is the crib?”
3. Ask your child to recall and name the object while pointing to the item: “What is this called?”
4. When your child is capable of understanding the above statement, ask for an example: “What is a crib?” and explain the answer.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can point to and name the object for your child wherever you are - inside or outside of your home.
2. Gradually build more descriptive sentences, following the example in this app. For example, from “this is a bed”, to “this bed is white”, and then to “this bed is covered with white linen”.
3. Discuss different topics with your child by leveraging this app: tell your child how her crib is different, how her teddy is not the same color, etc.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child speak and see if she uses newly learned vocabulary or expands her sentence building skills.
2. Point out various colors with everyday objects to see if your child can recall what she has learned.

Multi-Language Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese, which is user-settable. Press the Option button to select your preferences at the start of the app.

Drum That Up

Educational Objectives

Observe, compare, contrast, reason, decide, solve problems and create order.

To educate and refine the auditory sense.

To develop the ability to recognize musical sounds through rhythm.

Description- Your child will be introduced to a variety of different musical instruments. They will be able to explore the instruments before playing the game, allowing them to become familiar with the different sounds that each makes. Once your child has explored all the instruments, they will be asked to match the sounds that they hear with an instrument. A short rhythmic pattern will be played. Your child will repeat the rhythm. Each instrument will turn a different color when it is time for it to be played. These visual cues will help your child become familiar with the rhythmic pattern that has been provided.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Touch an instrument and ask your child to touch the same instrument.

2. Ask your child to repeat a short rhythmic pattern that you have provided.

3. Ask your child to play a rhythmic pattern for you to repeat.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Simple rhythms can be made with a variety of objects such as clapping your hands or tapping with your fingers on the table in a rhythmic pattern.

2. Gradually make the rhythmic pattern more challenging, following the example in this app. For example, clap/tap a rhythm using one hand, then both hands, or gradually increasing the length and the complexity of the pattern. Add body movements: clap, tap, stomp, etc.

3. Start pointing out rhythms found outside of your home by leveraging this app: a bird chirping, a horn blowing and rain falling.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child recall and repeat the rhythm that has been provided.

2. Observe your child as she becomes aware of the different rhythmic patterns that can be heard daily.

Why Drumming: Scientists found that drum beats, and more generally musical instruments, help children enhance their learning capabilities. More details can be found at http://drumbeats.com.au/team/health_science.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Kitchen

Educational Objectives

Observe, explore and build vocabulary by pointing to and naming objects that can be found in the kitchen.

Learn grouping and categorizing using familiar objects (edible versus non-edible).

Description- Your child will be introduced to common items that could be found in the kitchen. Safety rules are included and your child will be asked to identify non-edible items. This app builds upon VINCI’s What is This? by adding another dimension to categorizing.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Point to the object and name the object for your child: “This is a refrigerator.”

2. Ask your child to show a specific item: “Where is the refrigerator?”

3. Ask your child to recall and name the object while pointing to the item: “What is this called?”

4. When your child is capable of understanding, ask for example: “What is the refrigerator?” and explain the answer.

5. Explain categories to your child. Use examples, such as things we eat and things we do not eat.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can point and name the object for your child in your kitchen or another place that you visit.

2. Gradually build more descriptive sentences, following the example in this app. For example, from “this is the sink”, to “the sink is shiny”, and then to “this sink has hot and cold water coming out of the tap.” Adding a safety rule, “be careful the water may be hot.”

3. Discuss subjects with your child by leveraging this app: tell your child how the refrigerator is different from the stove; the refrigerator keeps food cold, while a stove/oven warms things up.

4. You can play the “edible and non-edible game” with your child. Choose three items - two items that are edible and one that is not. Ask your child to “touch the item we should not eat”.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child speak and see if she uses newly learned vocabulary or expands her sentence building skills.

2. Point to various items found in the kitchen to see if your child can recall what has been learned.

3. Observe to see if your child stops putting random objects in her mouth.

4. Once the notion of category is seeded, your child will be able to easily understand more categories as well as subcategories in later learning.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Farm

Educational Objectives

Observe, compare, contrast, reason, decide, solve problems and create order.

Introduction to healthy foods that are grown on the farm, focusing on the concept. Learning to eat well is learning to live well.

Introduction to qualitative reasoning.

Description- Your child will be introduced to the animals, farm equipment and food items that are grown on a farm. Qualitative math is introduced; the difference between one item and many items. This app builds upon VINCI’s Kitchen by adding another dimension to categorizing/sorting.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Your child will be asked to fill their “basket” with food that is found on the farm. Point to the food item and name the object for your child: “This is 1 apple.” Then, point to a group of apples: “Look! MANY apples.”

2. Ask your child to show a specific item. “Where are the apples?”

3. Ask your child to recall and name the object while pointing to the item. “What are these called?”

4. When your child is capable of understanding, ask for example, “Where do apples grow?” and explain the answer.

5. Once your child’s “basket” is filled with food, they will be asked to sort the items into a farm stand. Point to the picture found on the stand. “The apples go in this container.”

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can point to and name objects for your child when visiting a farm.

2. Gradually build more descriptive sentences, following the example of this app. For example, from “this is a tractor”, to “this tractor is red”, and then to “this tractor is a machine that the farmer uses to plow the field.”

3. Discuss subjects with your child by leveraging this app: explain to your child how apples and carrots are different; one grows on a tree, while the other grows in the ground.

4. You can play a sorting game with your child. Choose several different types of fruits and vegetables. Label containers appropriately. Ask your child to place the items into the appropriate container.

Observation Points

1. Point to a variety of farm animals, equipment, and food items found on a farm to see if your child can recall what has been learned.

2. Observe your child sorting food into containers to see if she understands the concept. In addition try to see if your child developed a mathematical understanding of quantity sense.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Piano

Educational Objectives

To help build observation and concentration skills.

To educate and refine the auditory sense.

To explore musical melodies and inspire your child’s musical interests through concentration and observation.

Description - Your child will be introduced to a piano and will be able to explore the different keys and sounds that it makes. By pressing the green button, the game can be played in such a way that your child is asked to repeat a simple musical pattern. Once your child successfully repeats the pattern, the song that begins with that pattern will be played as the reward.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Touch one key and ask your child to touch the same key.
2. Gradually touch two, and eventually three keys, and ask your child to touch the same keys.
3. Switch roles and ask your child to tap a few notes as you repeat the pattern after her.
4. You can try to play the same song following successful game results.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Show your child the different sounds made by the different instruments.
2. Sing “do-re-mi” with your child to illustrate how music is constructed.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child recall and repeat musical notes.
2. Observe your child as she creates different musical patterns on the piano.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Colors & Shapes

Educational Objectives

Observe, explore and build an understanding of shapes and colors.

Description- Your child will be introduced to different shapes and colors by touching different shaped doors and “painting” them with provided colors.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Point to one of the doors and name the shape: “This is a square.”

2. Ask your child to show a specific item: “Where is the square door?”

3. Ask your child to recall and name the object while pointing to an item: “What is this shape called?”

4. Your child will be introduced to colors and will be able to explore the color-changing doors.

5. Someone is hiding behind the door. Name and discuss the revealed animal once the door opens.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can point to differently shaped objects both inside and outside of the home and name the color.

2. Gradually build more color and shape knowledge, following the example in this app. For example, “the door is a rectangle” to “the door is a rectangle and it is blue”.

3. Once your child is capable of understanding the above statements, say “the door is a blue rectangle and it has four sides”. Point to each side and count with your child.

Observation Points

1. Point to different shapes and see if your child can recall the names of the shapes.

2. Listen to your child speak to observe if they are adding descriptive language to their vocabulary, such as shape and color.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Land & Sea

Educational Objectives

To initiate an understanding of emotions: sad (when the baby is away from its mother), then happy (once the baby animal finds its mother).

To learn about animals and their habitats; similarities and differences; and grouping.

Sea Animals
Observe; match the provided samples; and develop hand-eye coordination.

Description of Land Animals- Your child will be introduced to land animals and their homes. They will be asked to help baby animals find their mothers. Your child will look at the similar physical characteristics of the animals to determine the correct match. The animal will display happy emotions once the mother has been found. The game offers opportunities for conversation (e.g. discussing how the animal must feel without its mother). In addition, animal habitats can be explored.

Description of Sea Animals- Your child will be introduced to sea animals in their environment. A sample will be provided and your child will be asked to match the animal to the sample as it swims across the screen, which will allow your child to develop hand-eye coordination.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Point to the polar bear: “This is a baby polar bear and it is white”; “We need to help it find its mother”; “Which animal looks the same?”
2. Point to the adult polar bear and say: “This is a white bear and it looks like the baby.” Once the mother has been located discuss how happy the polar bear must feel.
3. When your child is capable of understanding the above premise, point to the habitat and say: “A polar bear needs land and water. Land to live on and water to swim in.”
4. When your child enters the Sea Creature Exhibit point to the highlighted animal (sample). “This is a sea turtle. Let’s find another sea turtle that looks the same.” Your child will locate and match the sea turtle while it swims across the screen, working on their hand-eye coordination.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can point to and name animals when visiting a zoo or an aquarium.

2. Gradually build more descriptive sentences discussing grouping animals that look the same even if they differ in size.

3. Expand your child’s vocabulary by leveraging this app: discuss with your child where an animal’s natural habitat is located; what continent it comes from; and what food they eat to survive.

Observation Points

1. Observe your child looking at books to see is she uses newly learned vocabulary or if she is aware of emotions that the character is feeling.

2. Observe your child playing a matching animal card game to see if she understands the concept.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Fun Numbers L1

Educational Objectives

Learning the symbol and the quantity of the numbers 1-5.

To develop the concept of linear counting.

To become familiar with one-to-one correspondence.

Description- Your child will be introduced to the numbers 1-5. They will identify the symbol and the appropriate quantity that matches each symbol.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Point to number 1: “This is the number 1.”

2. Ask your child to find all the pictures that represent the number: “Point to the pictures that are showing 1.”(The symbol, a baby pointing to its nose (one nose), one monkey, and a hand holding up one finger.)

3. Once all four items have been identified, push the submit button and move onto the next number.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Count with your child.

2. Gradually build their number sense by adding objects to your counting, following the example in this app. For example, hold up one finger and say, “this is 1, you count it like this: 1”.

3. Once your child is capable of understanding the above statement, say, “show me 3.” When your child holds up 3 fingers, point to and count their fingers together.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child count.

2. Play number games to see if your child can recall the numbers that they have learned.

3. Ask your child to gather a specific number of items to see if they have grasped the concept of one-to-one correspondence.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

VINCI Paint

Educational Objectives

Observe, explore and build an understanding of creating art through the use of exploration of color and writing tools such as; a pencil, a crayon, and a variety of brushes (both thick and thin).

Description- Your child will be able to free explore and create art through this app. She can begin by choosing a color and a tool that she wishes to use when starting her creation. If she is satisfied with her work, the picture can be saved. If she would like to start over, the art can easily be erased to start again. This app can be used as a tool to allow children to explore shapes, letters, and number formations.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Draw a square and ask your child to copy the shape: “This is a blue square. Can you draw a blue square next to mine?” (the square can be replaced by a circle, rectangle, or  triangle). This app builds on the knowledge gained from VINCI’s “Colors & Shapes” app.
2. Write the first letter in your child’s name. Introduce the name of the letter and say, “Your name begins with the letter____ and it sounds like ____”.
3. Once your child is capable of understanding the above statement, write their entire first name, and have them copy it.
4. Write the number 1: “This is the number 1. Can you write the number 1 next to mine?”
5. Once your child is capable of understanding the above question, say: “Draw one square next to the number 1.” This allows the child to build and expand on the knowledge derived from the VINCI’s “Fun Numbers L1” app.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. In addition to using the VINCI Tab to create shapes, numbers, and letters - use tangible materials such as paper, markers, paint and crayons to give children the time to create and explore through art.

2. Gradually build more shape, letter, and number knowledge, following the example in this app. For example, ask your child to create something for you to copy, ask her to copy longer words, work with larger numbers, and ask her to collect the correct number of items to match the number that you have provided.

Observation Points

1. Typically children older than 2 and half years old will start to draw. Initially it can be a shape/figure of any kind. Children may point to an abstract figure or even a line and call it a monkey. Encourage your child's imagination!

2. If your child is drawing something (a letter or a shape or anything else), even it is not theoretically correct, there is no need to correct her. Let her tell you the story of her drawing.

3. By the end of VINCI Curriculum Level 1 (at around 2-and-half-years-old) we expect children to be able to name basic colors and shapes.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Park

Educational Objectives

To bring your child’s attention to the function of the verb; an action-based word.

To introduce the concept that verbs enable sentence building.

Description- Your child will be introduced to real life scenarios that could be observed at a park. She is asked to select the “action button”, which states the action and allows your child to view the action while it is occurring. The sentence structure remains consistent, however, the verb continues to change. Your child is asked to point to the moving objects that are described within short sentences.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Press the “action button to hear a description: “The boy is jumping.” Your child will simultaneously hear the sentence and view the boy jumping in the air.
2. Press the next “action button” to hear the next description: “The boy is kicking the ball.” Listen and observe.
3. The final “action button” can be pushed to hear: “The boy is throwing the ball up in the air”.

*Once the third action button has been pushed, the next scenario will come onto the screen.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. You can ask your child to perform the action indicted by the command.
2. Gradually build more complex sentences, following the example in this app. For example, “the boy is jumping “to “the boy is jumping high in the air”.
3. Once your child is capable of understanding the above statement, say: “the boy is jumping high in the air on one foot”.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child speak to see if she is using the proper sentence structure and if her sentences are becoming more complex through the use of proper verbs.
2. Observe your child to see if she can perform specific actions, while comprehending multi-step directions.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Magic Finger

Educational Objectives

To make the child pause and think back to “what happened”.

To observe and create different “magical” patterns by dragging your finger across the screen.

Description- This app uses various tactics and makes your child think. You'll notice a delay between the finger movement and the trace of the finger. There are a variety of different backgrounds that your child can use as a canvas to create “magical” patterns that will hopefully help her ask the following question: “What happened?”

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. When your child slides their finger across the screen and objects appear, ask your child “what happened?” or “did you make that?”
2. Help your child slow down her finger movement and observe how objects appear after her finger slides along the screen.
3. You can hold your child's finger down to make her slow down her drawing movement (e.g try tracing the letters of her name, or shapes, or anything else that can hold your child's attention and make her pause and think).

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Let your child turn the door knob to open the door and show to your child how/when the door locks or opens as a result of her hand’s turning movement.
2. Pour water into a cup and show to your child how the cup gradually fills with water.
3. You can find other everyday activities to help your child understand the concept of cause-and-effect and to think logically.

Observation Points

When your child pauses to observe and admire her creation with the Magic Finger app, or when your child tries to “stop and think” before doing something in real life – this would be a HUGE milestone.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Little Instruments

Educational Objectives

To develop the ability to recognize and name different musical instruments.

To educate and refine the auditory sense.

Description- Your child will be introduced to several different instruments and the sounds that they make. They will drag an instrument over to one of the four monkeys, it will be named, and the sound will be added. There are four different instruments available for exploration: a trumpet; oboe; violin; and flute. Each monkey can play the same instrument or different instruments. In order to change instruments, a banana (snack) must be given to the monkey. Once the snack is consumed, the monkey will be able to play a different instrument.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Drag an instrument to each monkey and listen to them play a song.
2. Notice the difference in sounds by using different instruments individually.
3. Notice the difference in sounds by adding instruments.
4. Discuss the instrument that each monkey is playing to reinforce the name and the sound that the instrument makes.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Look at a book that contains musical instruments. Name the instruments with your child and discuss the difference between wind and string instruments.
2. Listen to music and discuss the instruments that are being used to play it.
3. Once your child is capable of understanding the points above, discuss the idea that four people form a quartet and introduce the role of a conductor.

Observation Points

1. Listen to your child recall and identify the names of instruments and the sounds that they make.
2. Observe your child becoming aware of the differences between wind and string instruments.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.

Towers L1

Educational Objectives

Puzzles improve children’s a child's problem solving and reasoning skills. It helps children see whole/part relationships and increases their visual spatial awareness.

Towers Level 1 asks your child to choose one of the world-renowned towers and shows four 4 pieces that can be altered to match with each other to assemble the tower. The process teaches the child how finding a reference point (for example, the background, or the shape of the tower) is a critical component to building problem solving skills.

Description- Each tower has a different background with a specific color scheme, which can be used as a reference point. For short term memory training, your child may remember the shape of the tower and draw a mental image which can be used as a reference point. A firework display will occur if your child has completed the tower correctly or a buzzer will sound if an error has occurred. Your child will be able to play the game again or choose a different tower to complete.

How to Maximize the Learning Experience

During Play

1. Introduce to your child the various tower shapes and different backgrounds.
2. Help your child understand the concept with one or two exercises, while explaining how you are looking for reference points to match the individual pieces.

Everyday Learning Guided by VINCI Curriculum

1. Make a copy of another picture type and cut it into four different segments. Ask your child to place the pieces in order to match them with each other, forming a complete picture.
2. Tell your child how you are trying to find a solution regardless of what you do, showing her the reasoning behind your decision, while explaining the reference points you are using along the way. Your child may not understand everything at the beginning, but be patient and consistent so you can help your child build strong reasoning and problem solving skills.

Observation Points

1. Observe your child closely to see if gradually thinks more logically while playing with puzzles. Ask your child when playing with other puzzles why she put the pieces in that specific order.
2. Observe your child as she builds different towers or other puzzles to see if she understands the concept of similarities and differences and if she is capable of recognizing how things work together.

Multilanguage Support: This app supports English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Press the Option button to select your language preference at the start of the app.