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This application is designed to be an educational tool for pre-school and lower school children up to the age of 8

years. Its educational goal is fulfilled mainly when used under supervision of an adult person.

When using the application the child is mastering the variety of graphomotor skills which are necessary

for successful school attendance - tracing the line, eye-hand coordination, etc. Tracing the whole drawing

with a single finger stroke is ideal. When the child needs a hand rest, it is up to an adult to motivate him

to keep the finger still laid on the screen. If the child is not able to do so, he can exercise the fingers or

wrist. Then it is important to continue the drawing from the same point where it has stopped the

previous stroke.

The application develops following child abilities: making decisions, choosing the right alternative,

successful completion of tasks, being more precise, ability to correct and evaluate his self, taking

responsibility for his actions.

The application supports development of self-confidence. The child can experience a success and enjoy

a nice picture which he has created together with Alice.

The goal is to create a drawing together with Alice. The user (a child) can choose from 28 different shapes and

use them for final image. Each of the shapes has its number which is displayed on the board held by Alice.

Subsequently, the user may select a color that will be used for the particular shape. Also a temporary

background used as a desktop can be selected (clicking on a numbered table) as well as a final background (also

clicking on a numbered table) for completed picture. After primary selection a child can draw the chosen shape.

If he is not able to follow the outline Alice will help him using a sponge. That will allow him to go seven steps

back. Only if the child is happy with his drawing he can order Alice to transfer the shape onto final picture. The

child can follow the same procedures with other shapes to be on the final picture.

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The application is a very effective tool for development of drawing and graphomotor skills of a child in his early

age thanks to the fact that the child does not need to hold any drawing tool in his hand. A single finger stroke is

used to draw a shape and his hand stays clean. Drawing by finger is a primary phase for later use of pen or pencil.

At the same time it eases the hand which helps to prevent the child from future problems at school arising from

spastic grasp of a drawing tool.

The application is suitable especially for children with visual impairment (low vision children), children with

learning difficulties and children with mental and physical impairment. Since these children may have problems

with development of fine motor skills, and thus the related graphomotor skills may also be retarded, the

application can help improve and accelerate of eye-hand coordination. Therefore the use of this application is

not determined by the age but the level of psychomotor development of a child.

Using the application the child can repair the picture or go several steps back (or to erase the entire drawing at

once – icon of a house). Drawing on paper does not allow such possibilities however.

Child learns to proceed step by step to a better result.

The final product (drawn picture) is always ideal which can motivate also those with poorer drawing skills.

Child can practice drawing of the selected shapes endlessly with many color variations, variations of

background and combination of elements while consuming no paper which has a positive impact on the

environment.

Using this application is a big challenge for a child. The completed picture (the camera icon can be used to save

the picture in an iPad gallery) may be sent to e.g. grandparents, mom or dad, friends, schoolmates, etc. Each

picture also allows few words (35 characters can be set below icon “i”) of wishes or greetings to be entered at its

bottom. Thus the picture becomes a postcard or a present with precious value as it has been created by the

sender himself.

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The application is also suitable for teamwork. Children may form more groups depending on the number of

iPads. Within a group each child may take his turn and draw a single element and thus be co-authors of a final

drawing. It can be then used as an invitation for a school event, birthday celebration or parental meeting. Such

activity can support teamwork and mutual communication giving each child feelings of success. We would also

like to emphasize effectiveness of this application when used in groups that support inclusion of disadvantageous

children.

Even though the proposed elements are put in order by difficultness it is not necessary for children to choose

shapes in such order. However, should an adult intend to use the application for certain educational purpose it

may be important to direct the child to select particular elements according its difficulty. Chapters are put in

order from 1 (the simplest shapes) to 28 (the most complex shapes). We can start from simple shapes to more

complex ones drawn by single line (chapters 1-16). These are followed by shapes drawn by more lines (chapters

17-28) also put in order as per difficultness.

Child has an opportunity to practice selected shapes endlessly using many color variations, backgrounds and

combinations of elements while consuming no paper which is both ecological and economical.

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On the following screenshots the blue buttons will show you how to use the application.

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