Prompts
Creative app can help kids overcome writer's block.
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Prompts
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Prompts is a simple app designed to give kids and adults something to write about. Kids who don't like to write may not be motivated by the simple prompts. Those who do, however, will find multiple ways to build their creative-writing skills and get over writer's block.
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What’s It About?
Open the app, get a prompt, and start writing. Don't like a prompt? Tap the refresh button to get a new one. Get stuck? Tap the lightning bolt to get a new idea. It's that simple. Now if only typing with a smartphone or tablet keyboard were that simple! Users save the pieces they like and discard the ones they don't. Writing can be added on to or shared with friends and teachers through a variety of methods. Special stats allow writers to see how much they've written during a given day or week and to see what their peak writing times are.
Is It Any Good?
For those who like to write, PROMPTS can be a lot of fun. The sentence starters are creative, and the questions and other motivators offered when writers get stuck can lead to some unique twists and turns in a story. Those who don't like writing, however, may find themselves bored by the prompts and frustrated by having to type on a tiny keyboard.
Some prompts may confuse writers rather than provide inspiration. For example, student writers may not know what it means to "draw out a transition" or may have trouble with a prompt such as "focus on the next word" when they don't know what their next word will be. Using terms for all levels of writers may make it more engaging.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Encourage kids to write regularly for a variety of purposes (to explain, to describe, to argue).
Praise thoughts and ideas over conventions and correctness. Work together to polish select pieces of writing rather than all of them.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: storytelling, writing, writing clearly
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: asking questions, Creativity: brainstorming, imagination, producing new content, Self-Direction: identifying strengths and weaknesses, self-reflection, Tech Skills: digital creation
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: October 7, 2013
- Category: Productivity
- Publisher: Tanner Christensen
- Version: 1.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 5.0 or later
- Last updated: August 17, 2016
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