Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad & iPhone - Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

The Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad & iPhone provides a hands-on learning experience for children aged 3-5. This kit combines physical play pieces with digital games on your iPad or iPhone to foster problem-solving, phonics, and creativity. It includes four educational games: ABCs, Squiggle Magic, Costume Party, and Stories.

Image: Overview of the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit, showing the iPad base, various game pieces, and the product packaging.

2. What's Included

• Osmo Base & Reflector for iPad/iPhone
• 19 cardboard pretend play costume pieces
• 38 silicone sticks/rings (BPA Free and Dishwasher Safe) for letter forming
• Silicone game play mat
• Stackable storage for game pieces
• 4 Game Apps: ABCs, Costume Party, Stories, and Squiggle Magic (download required)

Image: All physical components of the Little Genius Starter Kit, neatly arranged.

3. Setup Instructions

1. Place your device: Set up the Osmo Base on a flat surface and place your compatible iPad or iPhone into the base.
2. Attach the Reflector: Position the red Osmo Reflector over the device's camera. This allows the device to "see" the physical game pieces placed in front of it.
3. Download Apps: Download the required Osmo Little Genius game apps (ABCs, Squiggle Magic, Costume Party, Stories) from your device's app store.
4. Launch a Game: Open the desired game app and follow the on-screen instructions to begin playing.

Image: Visual guide demonstrating the simple three-step setup process for the Osmo system.

4. Operating Instructions

The Osmo Little Genius Kit offers four interactive games designed to engage young learners:

• ABCs:

  Helps children recognize letters and learn phonics through interactive play with silicone sticks and rings. The game guides users to form letters, which are then recognized by the device.

  

  Image: A child interacting with the Osmo ABCs game, using physical pieces to create letters that appear on the tablet.

• Squiggle Magic:

  Develops pre-drawing skills and creativity. Children use the silicone pieces to create shapes and drawings, which are brought to life on the screen.

• Costume Party:

  Identifies social-emotional cues and encourages experimentation with clothes and colors using cardboard costume pieces. Children dress up characters on the play mat, and their creations appear on the screen.

  Video: An official Osmo video demonstrating the "Costume Party" game, where children use physical costume pieces to dress characters on screen.

• Stories:

  Develops problem-solving skills and narrative thinking. Children interact with physical pieces to guide characters through various adventures on the screen.

Each game provides instant feedback and encouragement, making learning engaging and stress-free.

5. Compatibility

The Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit is compatible with various iPad and iPhone models. Please ensure your device meets the minimum requirements for optimal performance.

iPad Compatibility:

• All iPads except Generation 1-4, Air Gen 1, & iPad Mini Gen 1-3.
• The new iPad 10th Gen, iPad Pro 11” (4th Gen), & iPad Pro 12.9” (6th Gen) are not currently compatible; compatibility is expected later in 2023.
• iPad Reflector 2021 is required for: iPad Mini 6, iPad Air 4-5, iPad Pro 11-inch & iPad Pro 12.9-inch.
• Minimum iOS version needed is iOS 15.

iPhone Compatibility:

• iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus.
• No other iPhones are compatible.
• Requires the Osmo iPad base & 2021 reflector hardware.
• Minimum iOS needed is iOS 14.0.

Image: A detailed chart outlining compatible iPhone and iPad models for the Osmo system.

6. Key Teachings & Skills Learned

The Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit is designed to develop a range of essential skills in preschoolers:

• Creativity and Imagination
• Fine Motor Skills
• Verbal Proficiency
• Empathy and Social-Emotional Cues
• Spatial Reasoning
• Letter Recognition and Phonics
• Pre-drawing Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills

Image: An infographic detailing the various learning skills targeted by the Osmo Little Genius Kit for ages 3-5.

7. Safety Information

WARNING: Choking Hazard - Small Parts.

This product contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 3 years of age without direct adult supervision. Always ensure children are supervised during play to prevent choking hazards.

8. Maintenance

• Cleaning Pieces: The silicone sticks/rings are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Other plastic and cardboard pieces can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
• Storage: Utilize the provided stackable storage containers to keep all game pieces organized and prevent loss.
• Device Care: Keep your iPad/iPhone clean and free from debris, especially around the camera and charging ports.

9. Troubleshooting

• Game Not Recognizing Pieces:
  • Ensure the Osmo Reflector is correctly placed over your device's camera.
  • Check that the play area in front of the device is well-lit and free from obstructions.
  • Verify that the game pieces are placed flat on the play mat within the camera's view.
• App Issues:
  • Restart the Osmo app.
  • Ensure your device's operating system and the Osmo apps are updated to the latest versions.
  • Check your device's compatibility with the Osmo system (refer to Section 5).
• Thick Device Cases: If your device has a thick protective case, it may need to be removed for the device to fit properly into the Osmo Base and for the reflector to function correctly.

10. Specifications

11. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, product support, or to contact customer service, please visit the official Osmo website or refer to the documentation included in your product packaging. Online resources often include FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and contact details for direct assistance.