Beamz

Product Description

Physical 5

Skills

• Children may enhance fine motor skills when isolating one finger to “pluck” the laser beams in the air. This strengthens fine motor skills used for dressing, eating, writing and etc.
• Eye-hand coordination is promoted as children watch the computer screen to receive direction from ShadowBeamz or Simon Says. When playing music on the Beamz, the lasers light up green on the computer screen when activated and stay red when not being played.
• Reaching and arm extension are promoted as children can reach out to swipe a laser beam to play.

Play Ideas

• Swipe the laser beams using other body parts like your foot, elbow or forehead.
• Encourage a child to engage in her non-dominant side. For example, only use only her left hand for the left side beams and only her right hand for the right side beams instead of only using her dominant hand. This will strengthen a child’s weaker side and promote bilateral coordination.
• Have two children play the ShadowBeamz or Simon Says games on the computer. One child can be responsible for the playing the left side beams and the other child can be in charge of playing the right side beams.

Adaptation Ideas

• Use strong double-sided mounting tape, Velcro or mounting brackets to modify the position of the Beamz for play.
• Use a ruler or pointer to assist a child with reach when swiping the laser beams. Children who have tight muscles or limited range of motion may benefit from this.

Sensory 4

Skills

• When using songs like “Old MacDonald” in the Family Bundle, the child must swipe the laser beam when it is time to include an animal for the songs. This will encourage auditory processing and attention.
• Auditory processing is a part of play when children listen and respond to directions using the Simon Says feature on the computer.
• Visual processing and tracking can be enhanced when the child is playing the ShadowBeamz. There is a countdown on each instrument to play and hold until the “energy” is filled up. ShadowBeamz provides easy, intermediate and advanced levels of play.

Play Ideas

• A caregiver can play different instruments on the Beamz and have the child guess which instruments he hears and vice versa.
• Encourage the child to explore the different features on the Beamz like changing the tempo of the instruments, vocals and sound effects which can assist in auditory attention and processing. Caution: Be sensitive to over-stimulation.
• If you have access to traditional instruments like a guitar, a caregiver can play the guitar while the child plays the Beamz (and vice versa) to compare the different sounds.

Adaptation Ideas

• Using the Beamz player and computer screen or using the Beamz player and Apple device can be overwhelming to take in at once. Provide focus by paring down the interfaces. For example, only use the computer or only use the iPad to play and explore the Beamz software or app until the child is ready to move on to multiple paired devices
• For children who are easily over-stimulated, reduce the number of sounds you present and/or turn off the background rhythm. Gradually increase the sounds as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
• Play a music video/YouTube video or theme song to child’s favorite cartoon on the computer screen instead of the Beamz player. She can use the Beamz Player to play along.

Social/Emotional 4

Skills

• The Beamz may heighten a child’s self-esteem when she makes and records her own creation and can proudly play it back for herself and others or send the recording via email.
• Cooperative play can encourage turn taking, sharing and social skills.
• Children can become more self-aware of how they act and react to others when playing music together.
• Music is an avenue to express individual creativity. Children can use the Beamz to express themselves.
• Beamz encourages exploration and discovery allowing kids to build confidence while learning. 

Play Ideas

• Have the child record her own song to sing someone happy birthday or send them a greeting through song vocals and/or sound effects via the Beamz recording device via email or in person.
• Have two children play the ShadowBeamz or Simon Says games on the computer. One child can be responsible for the playing the left side beams and the other child can be in charge of playing the right side beams.
• Have the child create his own personal “moods” playlists on the Beamz so that all of his favorite music is easily accessible to play when feeling different emotions.