Magical Concepts 1.5

Understanding basic concepts is a crucial foundation for academic success, as highlighted by research indicating that early comprehension of these concepts significantly influences both school performance and advanced cognitive abilities (Klix, 1983).

For children, mastering fundamental concepts is essential for grasping academic subjects. For instance, a child needs to understand quantity (e.g., more, less, equal, all) to perform mathematical calculations, and must internalize basic reading principles (e.g., reading direction and text structure) to develop reading and writing skills (Busch, 1980). Teachers frequently employ numerous concepts in classroom instructional contexts—consider the temporal direction involved in commands like: “Before you start writing, read the first paragraph on page 13.” A lack of comprehension in these essential concepts can lead to challenges in following directions and participating effectively in classroom activities (Vernon, 1962).

Children typically acquire these concepts through interaction with adults, exposure to reading materials, and by adhering to instructions.

Concepts can be categorized into five primary types: spatial (location), temporal (time), quantity (number), quality (description), and social-emotional (feelings).

In this context, the Magical Concepts app for iPhone and iPad emerges as a valuable resource. Developed by a certified speech-language pathologist, this application aims to transform traditional flashcard drilling into an enjoyable learning experience. The app features over 2000 images accompanied by audio instructions that keep children engaged. Users are greeted by Mago the Magician, who serves as a motivational figure throughout the learning process. As children achieve correct responses, they earn stars and unlock a rewarding magic show once they reach a designated milestone.

Magical Concepts encompasses over 60 categorized concepts arranged alphabetically. Examples include:

• Above/Below
• Angry/Sad/Happy/Surprised
• Around
• Apart/Together
• Behind/In front
• Big/Small
• Bottom/Top
• Clean/Dirty
• Closed/Open
• Cold/Hot
• Crooked/Straight
• Curly/Straight
• Day/Night
• Deep/Shallow
• Different/Same
• Down/Up
• Dry/Wet
• Empty/Full
• Far/Near
• Half/Whole
• In/Out
• Inside/Outside
• Light/Heavy
• Long/Short
• Loud/Quiet
• Missing
• Narrow/Wide
• Next to
• Old/New
• On/Under
• Over
• Pair
• Short/Tall
• Thick/Thin
• Upside down

The application facilitates ease of use with features that allow educators to:

• Add multiple students.
• Select from various concepts.
• Present cards in either sequential or randomized order.
• Edit settings according to preferences.
• Activate auto-scoring features.
• Create alternative count methods for several students.
• Enable or disable rewards such as stars and the magic show.</ li >

With tracking capabilities for correct and incorrect responses and an option to email results post-activity, this app provides a comprehensive tool for engaging children's conceptual understanding.

References:

• Busch, R. A. (1980). Predicting first-grade reading achievement. Council for Learning Disabilities, 3, 33–48.</ li >
• Klix, F. (1983). An evolutionary approach to cognitive processes and creativity in human beings. Methods of Heuristic, 9, 19–36.</ li >
• Vernon, P. E. (1962). The determinants of reading comprehension. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 22, 269–278.</ li > </ ul >