# Fun & Functional — Learn the function of objects

> Teaches functional communication and object use for language development. (iPhone/iPad app by Smarty Ears.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fun-and-functional/id498640017 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smarty Ears](https://appshunter.io/developer/348779167)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 29 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 124 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish, European Portuguese
- Released: 2012-02-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fun-and-functional/id498640017/reviews.md

## What is Fun & Functional?

Unlock the power of functional communication with Fun & Functional, the premier speech therapy tool designed to teach children and adults how to understand and describe the use of everyday objects. Created by certified speech-language pathologists at Smarty Ears, this app bridges the gap between simply naming an item and truly understanding its utility in the real world.

Whether you are a clinician working on Common Core standards, a teacher implementing RTI (Response to Intervention), or a parent supporting language at home, Fun & Functional provides a research-based curriculum to build "word consciousness" and advanced literacy.

Why Choose Fun & Functional?

Evidence-Based Practice: Built on linguistic research, the app targets verb-based vocabulary—concepts that are typically more difficult to acquire but essential for narrative and expressive language skills.

Dual-Mode Learning: Addresses both receptive language (identification) and expressive language (verbal description) in a single session.

High-Quality Visuals: Features over 20,000 Smarty Symbols to represent real-life items with professional clarity.

Multilingual Support: Fully localized in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—the selected language determines all commands, stimuli, and clinical reports.

Powerful Features for Professionals & Families

10 Functional Categories: Target specific themes including Electronics, Grooming, Occupation, Kitchen, Vehicles, and more.

Customizable Complexity: Adjust settings to show 2, 3, or 4 choices per screen. Control task difficulty by selecting "Less Similar" or "More Similar" distractors.

Precision Data Tracking: Automatic "Report Cards" track student progress chronologically, identifying specific areas of mastery.

Therapy Report Center (TRC) Compatible: Seamlessly sync data for easy report writing and caseload management.

Versatile Design: Appropriate for a wide range of learners, from early elementary students to older individuals with severe cognitive deficits or those in stroke rehabilitation.

Educationally Aligned

Fun & Functional is the perfect companion for the classroom, meeting Common Core State Standards for sorting common objects into categories and producing complete sentences in shared language activities. It provides the intensive monitoring required for successful RTI Tier II and III interventions.

Download Fun & Functional today and help your learners move beyond naming to true functional communication!

## Key features

- Teaches object function
- Dual-mode learning (receptive/expressive)
- Over 20,000 visuals
- Multilingual support (EN, ES, PT)
- 10 functional categories
- Customizable difficulty
- Data tracking and reports

## Recent user reviews (10 of 29)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fun-and-functional/id498640017/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great app

*2019-04-30*

Easy to use app. My kids prefer this app to work on identifying function of object. I also use this when working on describing vocabulary by only showing the expressive pages.

### 5/5 — Versatile App!

*2019-04-30*

I love using this app for it’s intended purpose. I also use it to work on sentence formulation, grammar, pronouns...

### 5/5 — Great functions app

*2019-04-30*

This is one of my most used apps. I like the variety of categories, selecting 2-4 items shown at a time, that it's available in Spanish and that it has a back and next button. Excellent job!

### 4/5 — Love this!

*2019-04-11*

Love how this app takes data and is so versatile! Love that I can edit targets to meet the needs of each child!

### 3/5 — Broken

*2017-10-13*

Cannot work on expressive or receptively separately. No matter what option you choose in settings, it will always be alternating expressive and receptive.

### 5/5 — Great app for speech therapy!

*2015-11-03*

I am so excited to use this app with my clients on the autism spectrum. I especially love the receptive and expressive aspect of the app design and find it easy to work on multiple therapy goals at the same time!

### 4/5 — good for kids with severe language difficulties

*2012-11-08*

This app is great for my students who have multiple disabilities. The choices help them identify the correct function plus many of my students are non verbal so this is a good way to determine the skills they know.

### 4/5 — Love this

*2012-09-01, version 1.1*

This really is fun and functional.  I can adapt it to many different students using if different settings.

### 4/5 — Good for language therapy!

*2012-05-18, version 1.1*

Great graphics! My primary level language groups have enjoyed working on these activities. A great addition to the Smarty Ears apps family!

### 3/5 — Price?

*2012-04-26, version 1.1*

Not sure why this was $9.99. My daughter was bored within 10 minutes.

## Frequently asked questions about Fun & Functional

### What does the Fun & Functional app do?

The app teaches users, particularly children and adults, to understand and describe the function of everyday objects. It aims to move beyond simply naming items to understanding their utility, thereby building vocabulary and expressive language skills.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include dual-mode learning for both understanding and describing object functions, over 20,000 high-quality visuals, multilingual support in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, 10 functional categories, customizable difficulty settings, and automatic data tracking for progress monitoring.

### How much does the Fun & Functional app cost?

Based on the provided information, the app is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### Who is this app designed for?

This app is designed for a wide range of learners, including children and adults. It is particularly beneficial for speech-language pathologists, teachers implementing RTI, parents supporting language at home, and individuals with language delays, cognitive deficits, or those undergoing stroke rehabilitation.

### How does the app help with language development?

The app focuses on functional communication by teaching verb-based vocabulary, which is crucial for narrative and expressive language skills. Its dual-mode learning addresses both receptive and expressive language, while the structured categories and visuals aid in building "word consciousness" and advanced literacy.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.0 — 2026-01-05

We have fully enhanced the app with new userinterface and improved results screen.

### 6.0 — 2023-04-02

Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 5.0 — 2020-01-27

We have updated the app to the latest IOS and updated the images used on the app with the latest Smarty Symbols library

### 4.1 — 2019-02-01

We have made enhancements for iOS 12

### 4.0 — 2018-07-03

Here is what is new:
1. We updated to latest iOS
2. Updated images
3. General improvements

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## More apps by Smarty Ears

- [WhQuestions](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whquestions/id348905092)
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- [R intensive Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r-intensive-pro/id371200389)
- [Articulation Assessment ToolKt](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/articulation-assessment-toolkt/id371280343)
- [Expressive](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expressive/id398345416)

All apps by Smarty Ears: https://appshunter.io/developer/348779167

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*