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Play and Learn with Wallace {with Giveaway}

June 12, 2013 by Michelle M

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Michelle, 5 Minutes for Mom contributor, is here to share her insights into Play and Learn through this review and giveaway. While she was compensated to write this post, our writer’s views and opinions remain her own.

Growing up, I had books and I had toys.  Even the wee ones, at only 7 and 9 primarily relied on the same entertainment when they were young.  Yes, I had Sesame Street and Electric Company, but that was about it as far as educational programming went.  Oh how things have changed.  Priddy Books now offers Play and Learn, a great iPad and iPhone app for younger children.

The app itself is free, and right now each of the games within it are on sale for $1.99 each (regularly $3.99 apiece).  There are six apps offered that focus on different areas of learning while entertaining children.  I appreciate the fact that the app grows with kids, as some of the games within it focus on preschool skills like counting to five and identifying colors, while other apps move into more advanced skills such as comparing size and eventually beginning spelling and computation.

Like the best educational tools for young children, the app is set up so that the learning happens in a fun way where children don’t realize they’re being taught or tested on their knowledge.  Each game is hosted by Wallace, a cute brown dog who is there to offer encouragement to children as well as to help explain the task again by clicking on him if a child is struggling.  The bright animations make the game fun for children, and at the end of each lesson, they earn a sticker by pressing a spinning star.  As they move forward, children also earn certificates and medals for achievements.

The games are quick to play, but unfortunately at least on my iPad, they were slow to load.  Once they have loaded, they keep moving and cycling to the next game, which keeps children from getting bored or stuck in a difficult phase.  And no matter how often you press a wrong answer, you only get a funny sound rather than a negative consequence, which helps keeps kids motivated to continue trying to get the right answer.

Not all the apps are a good fit for all ages.  A preschooler would be lost and frustrated by a question that reads 8 + _ = 10 where a first grader would most likely not be interested in counting three red ducks.  To ensure that there is a good fit for your child, you are able to do a trial of each game for free before you buy it.  The trial is three rounds of a game, which gives you a strong sense of whether it’s a good fit for your child or not.  If it’s too advanced, you can always do the trial again at a later date, as it simply resets when you go back to the home screen.

There are currently 5 games within the app available for the iPad and now the iPhone, with more set to be released in the future:

  • Counting Fun
  • My First App
  • First Spelling
  • Picture Puzzles
  • Number Skills

As a lover of creativity and play, I’m not always thrilled when I see small children glued to electronic devices everywhere I go.  The world is changing, however, and by interspersing educational apps like Play and Learn, there’s a good balance to be struck in adding screen time as an educational component.

Enter to Win

One lucky reader is going to get their chance to win

  • a $10 iTunes gift card to upgrade the app
  • and 3 Wallace storybooks for your bookshelf

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!


Read my post at 5 Minutes for Books to see a video of the app and to hear more about the educational aspects of the game. Leaving a comment on that post will earn you another entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews.

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40 Comments

  1. Jessica T says

    June 21, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    They can choose when they want to use their 30min/day – but only once the chores are done

    Reply
  2. Erinn A says

    June 19, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    we play in the car

    Reply
  3. Kerrie Mayans says

    June 19, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    During the others kids piano lessons and sports practices.

    Reply
  4. lizzy says

    June 19, 2013 at 10:23 am

    When we are in the car.

    Reply
  5. Brandy W. says

    June 19, 2013 at 3:16 am

    they usually get to play for an hour while I prepare dinner

    Reply
  6. Mel says

    June 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    We haven’t set a limit on the ipad yet so whenever he wants.

    Reply
  7. Shari says

    June 18, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    My son plays during the quiet hour in his room every afternoon.

    Reply
  8. Jeanna says

    June 18, 2013 at 11:27 am

    They usually play them when we are in the car!

    Reply
  9. deanna says

    June 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    during church…oops
    xo

    Reply
  10. Charlene S says

    June 17, 2013 at 9:38 am

    When we are waiting for an appointment.

    Reply
  11. Holly Messana says

    June 17, 2013 at 8:57 am

    In the car on long trips, this is the best time to keep them occupied with different aps

    Reply
  12. shelly neuhouser says

    June 17, 2013 at 7:59 am

    Right after dinner

    Reply
  13. Sadie B. says

    June 16, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    My kids earn time and will play after school work is done.

    Reply
  14. Jessica B. says

    June 16, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    My son plays in the car.

    Reply
  15. samantha w says

    June 15, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    It depends on what we are doing, sometimes in the car, or if we are at the doctors. Things like that

    Reply
  16. kat says

    June 15, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    We don’t have kids yet but I have nephews who love ipad aps.

    Reply
  17. tina harwood says

    June 15, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    when we eat out

    Reply
  18. Sindy Murray says

    June 14, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    usually after lunch or on the road.

    Reply
  19. Matt Stringham says

    June 14, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    if we let her, all the time!!! Her current favorite is the disneyland explorer app.

    Reply
  20. Rhian says

    June 14, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    my niece plays at restaurants!

    Reply
  21. Tabathia B says

    June 14, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    After an early dinner or if we are on the road

    Reply
  22. Cynthia R says

    June 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    if we are waiting for a long time somewhere like a restaurant or doctor’s office

    Reply
  23. nannypanpan says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    when we go on long car rides

    Reply
  24. Laura says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    I occasionally let my son play with my phone while we’re in the car or waiting for an appointment – it keeps him happy and it’s a rare enough treat that he doesn’t expect it.

    Reply
  25. Emily Mahr says

    June 13, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    In the car and when we’re at an even where I want them to be quiet

    Reply
  26. tracy p. says

    June 13, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    My kids use their ipad to get on apps just about anywhere anytime. I have alot of educational ones on there for them. And most deffinitly have it locked down with no internet to be sure nothing happens to it or them.

    Reply
  27. LaVonne says

    June 13, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    In the car is when she plays apps the most.

    Reply
  28. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    June 13, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    While we’re in waiting rooms and between appointments!

    Reply
  29. vickie couturier says

    June 13, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    usually on road trips

    Reply
  30. Corran says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:44 am

    Great post! Hope I win! 🙂

    Reply
    • Corran says

      June 13, 2013 at 11:45 am

      My children play with apps after lunch.

      Reply
  31. latanya says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:40 am

    in the car

    Reply
  32. Addison Kat says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:29 am

    They usually play when we go for long car rides.

    Reply
  33. Anne Lehnick says

    June 13, 2013 at 10:43 am

    My son has a Kindle, so he plays more often than my daughter. We don’t have cable, so he may watch a Netflix show or play a game for a bit. My daughter is only 2, so her iPad and iPhone play is typically while we are in the car, in a store, or while we are fixing dinner. It amazes me how growing up with the technology makes it so easy for them to catch on. She already understands how to make things happen on the iPad.

    Reply
  34. kathy stevenson says

    June 13, 2013 at 9:09 am

    They play with apps on trips or when they wake up early.

    Reply
  35. Janet W. says

    June 13, 2013 at 5:43 am

    My grandson plays with apps before going to bed or when we’re out running errands.

    Reply
  36. Terra Heck says

    June 13, 2013 at 3:44 am

    They usually play with apps an hour before bedtime and when traveling in the car. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  37. Stacey B says

    June 13, 2013 at 1:00 am

    My son’s love the coloring apps!

    Reply
  38. Mary Happymommy says

    June 12, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    On car trips!

    Reply
  39. Denise M says

    June 12, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    while i am cooking dinner, she plays music and puzzle apps

    Reply

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