# Is that Silly? — Critical Thinking Learning

> Educational tool for children to develop critical thinking and language skills through identifying absurd scenarios. (iPhone/iPad app by Smarty Ears.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/is-that-silly/id483926026 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smarty Ears](https://appshunter.io/developer/348779167)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 25 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 55 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-12-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/is-that-silly/id483926026/reviews.md

## What is Is that Silly??

Is That Silly? is a premier educational tool developed by Smarty Ears to promote expressive and pragmatic language skills in children. Designed specifically for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), educators, and parents, this app transforms traditional therapy into a joyful experience that encourages children to pay attention to detail while expanding their vocabulary.

Why "Is That Silly?" is a Must-Have for Language Development

Children with ADHD, Autism, and various language or learning disorders often struggle to notice subtle details in their environment. This app utilizes over 120 vibrant illustrations to target these challenges through fun, interactive "silly" scenarios. By identifying absurdities—like a shark walking in the desert or a car flying in the sky—students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Key Features & Therapeutic Benefits:

Receptive & Expressive Language: Children practice identifying "silly" vs. "not silly" image pairs to build foundational language skills.

Higher-Level Reasoning: The app prompts children to verbally explain why a picture is silly, bridging the gap between simple identification and complex expressive formulation.

Customizable Learning: Adjust settings to toggle auditory prompts, written text, or "Well done" reinforcement to match each child's developmental level.

Progress Tracking: Generate a detailed Report Card after every session to track accuracy in identifying absurdities and expressive explanation scores.

Clinically Proven Design: Perfect for story comprehension, adjective practice, and aphasia therapy.

Who Is It For?

Speech-Language Pathologists seeking an engaging, data-driven tool for clinic use.

Parents looking for "brilliant" educational apps that make learning feel like play.

Teachers aiming to improve visual and auditory attention in the classroom.

Unlock your child's potential for language growth through the "Science of Silly." Is That Silly? is available now on the App Store.

## Key features

- Identify silly vs. not silly image pairs
- Explain why scenarios are absurd
- Customizable auditory and text prompts
- Progress tracking with Report Card
- Targeted for ADHD, Autism, language disorders
- Clinically proven design

## Recent user reviews (10 of 25)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/is-that-silly/id483926026/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Silly app

*2019-05-01*

This is a fun app for working on what is silly. The artwork is great and the kids love using this app. Since most of the scenes address "silly" behavior/situations, I would remove the ones that address safety e.g. Dog in the microwave. I think you guys should create an app similar to this to address safe vs unsafe but I think this app mainly addresses silly so that's what I would stick to.

### 5/5 — Fun app for preschoolers

*2018-07-21*

This is such a fun app for preschoolers! My clients loves telling me if something is silly or not and why. We laugh so much during those sessions! The pictures are great, and I appreciate that the app takes data for me! This app is also a great way to introduce and target the precursors to the social skills concepts of acceptable versus unacceptable behaviors. Keep up the great work, Smarty Ears!

### 5/5 — Is this a silly app

*2014-11-22*

This is a great app for working on absurdities. The visuals and set up are nice and it is easy to use. I also like being able to access the settings while you play, but sometimes the gears (settings) are covering the sentences. The expressive portion is well done as well and I like the option to have right, wrong or cued responses.  There are a few things I would like the developer to consider. 1. Have the choice to auto advance or not so we can talk about the picture if we want to. 2. Make the audio/written cue button two separate buttons. 3. The last thing I want to say is that I am not a fan of the "eating a dog" and "dog in the microwave" silly pictures because I think they are less about "silly" and more to do with safety/inappropriate situations. All of the other pictures seem appropriate for silly/not silly. I showed the pictures to a few other people and they also, didn't like those two pictures. I know I can uncheck those two in the settings which is nice, but I don't think they belong. I do think there is a need for an app that targets safe/unsafe actions or scenarios and would love to see you guys create one. Thanks for all of your hard work that you put into these apps!

### 5/5 — Life is like a hurricane

*2013-07-16*

The app's mascot reminds me of Huey from DuckTales. If you download this app, you should also download "DuckTales: Treasure of the lost lamp" from the iTunes store. Buy, don't rent!

### 5/5 — love it!!

*2013-03-02, version 1.2*

i am a mom of a severely affected son on the autism spectrum...we love this app because it is a fun way to teach  about being silly. the characters are bright and fun.the best way to teach is to make something so fun...they do not realize they are learning...BRILLIANT!!..thank you fo creating a fun way for my son to learn :)

### 4/5 — Silly

*2013-01-06*

My students enjoy using the app and pointing out why pictures are silly.  I like that I can keep data.

### 4/5 — Love app, but needs a few pics changed

*2012-10-10*

As an SLP working in school setting with students both in general and special education, I have used this app successfully with all students.  The children love it and I love the ability to track data.  It could be much improved if some of the pics were changed such as boy drinking poison and dog in microwave.  These are inappropriate pics for children and should be removed.  I , also, wish that you could slow down the audio prompt on new picture as it begins rather quickly.  I have numerous Smarty Ears apps and love most of them.  Some could be improved with minor tweaks of word choices and picture choices.  Overall, your company has addressed a need for quality apps to use in therapy in a gigantic way!  Please continue to update and improve and I will continue to be a loyal consumer.

### 4/5 — Very Entertaining

*2012-09-01, version 1.1*

This app is so entertaining for the kids.The app has nice clear pictures that the children find so funny. We are able to have some great discussions and participate in problem solving.  I like the rate of speech of the narrator and especially like that the text and auditory prompt can be turned on or off.  Very useful app in addressing multiple goals.

### 5/5 — Love!

*2012-06-25*

Love this app! It is so entertaining for the kids! Great pictures too :)

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2012-05-18*

My kids love this app and they find it hilarious and are able to have some great discussion about the scenarios. I do not agree with the previous reviewer about the pictures being inappropriate. These kinds of scenarios can also be good discussion on problem solving and safety issues in a not so serious avenue. 

Keep up the amazing work Smarty Ears. Can't wait for all the brand new tools you will provide for my therapy in the future!

## Frequently asked questions about Is that Silly?

### What is the learning methodology used by Is That Silly?

Is That Silly? employs a visual learning methodology where children identify absurdities in illustrations to develop critical thinking and language skills. This approach helps target attention to detail and expand vocabulary for children with various learning needs.

### How does Is That Silly? track a child's progress?

The app generates a detailed Report Card after each session, providing insights into accuracy in identifying absurdities and scores for expressive explanations. This data-driven approach allows for effective monitoring of a child's language growth.

### What are the pricing details for Is That Silly?

Is That Silly? is available for a one-time purchase of $14.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a straightforward and uninterrupted learning experience.

### Is Is That Silly? suitable for young children?

Yes, Is That Silly? has an age rating of 4+ and is designed to be engaging for young learners. Its interactive nature and vibrant illustrations make it an effective tool for early language development.

### What devices are supported by Is That Silly?

Is That Silly? is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. This broad platform support ensures accessibility for many users.

### How often is Is That Silly? updated?

The app was last updated on January 21, 2026, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and improvements. Users can expect regular updates to enhance the learning experience.

### What do users like most about Is That Silly?

Based on its 4.7-star rating, users likely appreciate the app's engaging approach to critical thinking and language development. The ability to make learning feel like play is a significant draw for parents and educators.

### Can Is That Silly? be used offline?

The provided information does not specify offline functionality. However, as a paid educational app, it is likely designed for focused learning sessions that may or may not require an internet connection.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.2 — 2026-01-21

We have made some amazing updates to the user interface of the app and fixed some bug to keep the app running smoothly!

### 4.0 — 2023-03-21

Updated Video tutorial and updated some coding to make sure the app continues to run smoothly

### 3.0 — 2019-01-02

Enhancements for iOS 12

### 2.0 — 2017-04-17

Version 2.0 of Is that Silly includes the following enhancements: 
1. iOS 10 updates
2. Updated loading screen
3. Reduced app size
4. Added app to app center

### 1.3 — 2014-11-21

-Fixed typos and bugs
- Added protection for child privacy

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## More apps by Smarty Ears

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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.*
