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. Â Even the wee ones, at only 7 and 9 primarily relied on the same entertainment when they were young. Â Yes, I had Sesame Street and Electric Company, but that was about it as far as educational programming went. Â Oh how things have changed. Â 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). Â There are six apps offered that focus on different areas of learning while entertaining children. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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.
They can choose when they want to use their 30min/day – but only once the chores are done
we play in the car
During the others kids piano lessons and sports practices.
When we are in the car.
they usually get to play for an hour while I prepare dinner
We haven’t set a limit on the ipad yet so whenever he wants.
My son plays during the quiet hour in his room every afternoon.
They usually play them when we are in the car!
during church…oops
xo
When we are waiting for an appointment.
In the car on long trips, this is the best time to keep them occupied with different aps
Right after dinner
My kids earn time and will play after school work is done.
My son plays in the car.
It depends on what we are doing, sometimes in the car, or if we are at the doctors. Things like that
We don’t have kids yet but I have nephews who love ipad aps.
when we eat out
usually after lunch or on the road.
if we let her, all the time!!! Her current favorite is the disneyland explorer app.
my niece plays at restaurants!
After an early dinner or if we are on the road
if we are waiting for a long time somewhere like a restaurant or doctor’s office
when we go on long car rides
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.
In the car and when we’re at an even where I want them to be quiet
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.
In the car is when she plays apps the most.
While we’re in waiting rooms and between appointments!
usually on road trips
Great post! Hope I win! 🙂
My children play with apps after lunch.
in the car
They usually play when we go for long car rides.
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.
They play with apps on trips or when they wake up early.
My grandson plays with apps before going to bed or when we’re out running errands.
They usually play with apps an hour before bedtime and when traveling in the car. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
My son’s love the coloring apps!
On car trips!
while i am cooking dinner, she plays music and puzzle apps