Learn to Speak Spanish with Gus on the Go App Review

Noah has always been interested in learning different languages. Even when he was three and four years old, he wanted to learn them. He is really interested in other countries and cultures. I think that is a great thing. When I was growing up, I learned basic Spanish, from afterschool classes in elementary school. It wasn’t the same when I was younger, of course people spoke different languages but it was more something you did when you were in high school.  I don’t really remember much of the Spanish I learned in elementary school, besides what my Spanish speaking cousins taught me. They lived in Texas so I didn’t really see them very often, until they moved to Indiana when I was older.  When I was in high school I took two years of French. We really didn’t learn much the first year because my French teacher was out a lot, and when she was there we watched Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  I think it is important that kids learn different languages at a young age, because it enriches their lives. It also helps them communicate with other people who may not speak English.  Noah has wanted to learn everything from Spanish to Japanese. One of his Kindergarten teachers is from Japan, which was just pure luck. He already wanted to learn before he met her.  One of my best friends, that I have been friends with since daycare, took Japanese in high school.  

 I think that since there are so many different shows where they speak different languages now, it has sparked a revolution. When I was little, all there was Muzzy and that was always insanely expensive.  Since Noah is an appoholic, I was so excited to learn about Gus on the Go.  It’s a foreign language learning app for kids. I know when I was a kid, listening to cassette tapes of someone speaking where you are supposed to say and repeat, wasn’t really fun.  I am so glad that Gus on the Go was developed by two loving parents from toojuice, LLC, Yono and Alice have dedicated themselves to helping children embrace their native language and other languages through fun and educational apps. There are 14 different languages including Spanish, French and Hebrew.

More information from the developer:

Little ones can take off on a language learning adventure, discovering new words through engaging vocabulary lessons and reviews, with Gus on the Go on Android. Featuring adorable animations and fun exercises, Gus on the Go teaches children the basic concepts of 14 languages with exciting visual and auditory lesson on numbers, colors, shapes and more.  Any child can now master a second language through a fun, multi-sensory journey on any tablet or smartphone.

Gus on the Go on Android is the latest edition of toojuice, LLC.’s popular Gus on the Go series of second language learning apps. Gus, an animated traveling owl, guides children on an interactive series of 10 vocabulary activities. After completing each lesson, Gus playfully encourages them to unlock the next adventure by reviewing what they have learned. Delightful animal noises, transportation sounds and vibrant animations motivate children to see, hear and touch objects in a simply creative way. Most importantly, Gus on the Go helps children improve their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and basic vocabulary proficiency.

Gus on the Go features

- New games, unlocked by completing lesson reviews

- Fun interactive animations and sounds

- Access to country and city maps

- Trophy room to track achievements

- Native language audio speaker

We had the opportunity to try out the Spanish app out. It is really cute. Noah finds it very entertaining and I think that is great for him. I can tell he is really learning from Gus on the Go. He has started to grow out of Dora and Diego, where he was learning some Spanish so I am so glad to have Gus on the Go.  Noah really likes that he isn’t just repeating what someone is saying, but he is learning Spanish through games and rewards.  I love that there is a native speaker, because it helps with exact pronunciation. I think it’s important to know exactly how you are to say it, because a change in a syllable can change the whole meaning of what you are saying.  I also think it could be considered disrespectful depending on whom you are speaking to. Noah and I use this app together as a family. I would love to learn more Spanish.  I will also use the app by myself, if I need extra practice. We will probably also try out the French app and some of the other ones. I hope they create a Japanese app soon that would really put a smile on Noah’s face.

Be sure to check out Gus on the Go Spanish and the 13 other languages too! 

Gus on the Go on Android is available for $2.99 on the Google Play Store  HERE

GazziliMath App Review

When Noah was younger, I made sure that I was teaching him basic skills.  I think that education is very important and it is never too early to teach your toddler basic skills like shapes, colors, letters and numbers.  When your child is in preschool it is a great to teach your child a little more.  Most toddlers can count a little, but they have no idea what the numbers mean.  I believe it is your job to teach them what a number is and how it works.  I think that children should be able to do basic addition by the time they are in Kindergarten.  Noah definitely knew some math by the time he was in Kindergarten. He does second grade math and is in Kindergarten. I remember when I was learning math it was boring and we didn’t have cool games and apps to learn from. I remember a game that had basic graphics on the computer, nothing like today’s graphics and games. It was even in black and white.  I used to imagine the critters in different colors.  I think kids learn better when it is fun. There are definitely ways for them to learn vs. sitting at a desk and doing math problems.  

 I learned about a new app called GazziliMath. It is an awesome Math app for preschoolers and even kindergarteners in my opinion. Preschoolers have a really short attention span so it is extra important to make it fun for them.  It’s funny because you can teach a child something and sometimes they don’t even realize that they are learning.  I think with GazziliMath you get that. I really like that you are helping the animals. GazziliMath tells you what to do, so you don’t have to read to your child the directions. Just make sure you have the sound on. 

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Here is more information from the Developer:

Preschoolers and parents can enjoy hours of fun learning basic math skills through exciting arithmetic activities with the immediate launch of GazziliMath on iOS. Featuring colorful characters, vibrant animations and engaging games, GazziliMath is a unique interactive learning experience that lets children explore the countless ways that numbers and math play an important role in their lives all while discovering delightful surprises along the way. Children across the globe can now swipe, tap and flick their way through a fun, multi-sensory journey to learn challenging, age appropriate concepts right from their device.

Developed with leading educational consultants from New York City’s The Dalton School, GazziliMath is the latest addition to the renowned GazziliWorld series of edutainment apps. GazziliMath guides children through a series of math-based activities, encouraging them to complete each page to unlock the next adventure and watch the GazziliFunPage come to life. With the support of surprise features and captivating animations, children are motivated to see, hear and touch numerals all while learning to count and subtract in a creative way. Most importantly, GazziliMath helps improve children’s hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and basic math concept proficiency.

“GazziliMath helps preschoolers learn important math concepts with challenging, yet kid-friendly, activities”, said Adam Gittlin, Founder of GazziliWorld LLC. “GazziliMath is great for teaching children through a thoroughly engaging and completely educational environment. We’re excited for both parents and children to play with GazziliMath and learn the vital skills of adding, subtracting and more in a fun and engaging manner.

  GazziliMath Features

- 6 math-based activities

- Successful completion of each activity brings GazziliFunPage to life

- Hearing Impaired Mode’ includes spoken narration of written words

- Interactive animations, music, sound-effects and surprise features

- Improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills

I really like GazziliMath. It has really cute graphics.  I of course had Noah try it out. I didn’t say it was for 2 to 5 year olds, and he loved it. I think that just because you already have mastered a skill, you can still practice it. I really like that the gates are locked and you have to go in order. Your child can’t skip over levels and have a real understanding for what they are doing.  Some children like mine like to skip over things in order to get to a harder level in games. GazziliMath would be great to use this summer on long car rides.

You can get GazziliMath for iPad in the iTunes App Store for $1.99

Mudbuddy App Review

Noah loves to read. He also loves technology.  So when I can find books that combine both things, he really enjoys it. When I was around his age, I remember going to the library and listening to books on tape. I also had some, the kind that would beep or chime when you are supposed to turn the page.  It was always a treat when there was an opening on for the books on tape. That was also like 25 years ago.  Technology has really made many advances since then. Now children can read books on iPads.  The books interact with them too.  Noah also loves animals and the environment. We recently planted flowers at his school. He had an amazing time. He always talks about how it is bad to liter and really cares about the planet.  I wanted to share with you an app called Mudbuddy.  Mudbuddy is an outdoor adventure on your iPad.  You don’t have to worry about if you live in an apartment or if you just gave your child a bath.  I think teaching your child about the environment is so important. If the environment isn’t taken care of, everyone including people, animals and plants suffer.  We live in a beautiful area, it would be a shame for the world to lose its beauty. 

Here is some information from the developer:                                  

New to iTunes in May 2013 and the first in a series, Mudbuddy is a delightful, interactive storybook app for families who would like to learn more about the organic world around them and help their children make a positive impact on nature and our environment.  Through simple stories, humor, and touch-screen interaction, readers can help Mudbuddy, the very adorable and slightly confused glob-of-mud-main-character, and his friends learn more about each other and their special abilities.  Readers can manipulate the screens, drag and click, open up new scenes and bring the characters to life! 

Hailing from Lightborne Studios, a world-class production house and design factory in Cincinnati, Ohio,Mudbuddy author, Ben Nicholson, and illustrator, Kurt Koch, have created a new children’s book app which parents are sure to love and is sure to even have reluctant outdoor enthusiasts – and their parents – running outdoors to find their very own Mudbuddy and hopefully plant some seeds of their own.

“It can be socially disconnecting to use a wireless device.  I’m guilty myself.  But tablets such as iPads are interactive tools and should be used for engagement, and not just for escape,” says Nicholson. “We hope the Mudbuddy app encourages parents, together with their children, investigate and interact with the world around them—and make a positive impact too.”

It’s an app that reads like a book.  With charming illustrations accenting the story’s vibrant and often hilarious verse, Mudbuddy takes children of all ages to a never-seen underground world of environmental adventure where rocks talk and mud morphs. Clever situations and colorful imagery bring this new app book to life with wit and adventure.  Written in language that is fun and silly, parents, caregivers and teachers can have fun reading this book to children, or they can have the built-in narrator read the pages aloud.  There are laugh-out-loud sound effects and images too.  Mudbuddy also includes the following themes: 

The size of the globe, versus a state, city and neighborhood 
 The endless activities that occur under our feet 
What is the purpose of dirt? 
Ways to understand what is silly and why 
Discovering how fun the outdoors can be 
Uncovering your own special abilities or purpose 
 

The story lends itself to discussion and engaging your imagination!  How would you feel if you were Mudbuddy?  What purpose would you like to have, that of the seeds, the water, the mud, etc?  What colors are your favorites?  Why?  Does your belly grumble like Mudbuddy’s when you eat too much or too little? Did you know that grubs, worms, bones and moles were under the very ground you walk on?  What else is under there? 

“Backyard Environmentalism means that we can teach our kids about nature by giving them an appreciation of the things right outside their door,” adds Nicholson.  “We can’t begin to change the world unless we start at home. Mudbuddy is a vehicle for this message.” 

Noah loves Mudbuddy. He smiles and laughs the whole time he plays it.  I love educational apps, so I know that he is really learning something when he plays Mudbuddy. We even play it as a family. It sparks conversations for what we can do to help the planet in real life. He has become really interested in bugs too. We have made plans to go on a dig and see what kinds of different bugs we can find.  We love to explore together and learn. He will be so excited to see that the plant we planted last week already has already sprouted. This app is a must have for all children. It is so educational and fun. It is not like a typical educational app that is boring.  I don’t know if Noah even knows that it is actually educational.  I would love for them to have another app to come out about different sea and water creatures to expand the series.

Mudbuddy is available for iPad in the iTunes store for $1.99 You can download it HERE.

Do your children like the environment?  If so check out Mudbuddy.

Gombby Channel App $50 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

As I mentioned before, my son likes to watch tv and play different apps. He also has many other interests that do not require an on or off switch.  When I do allow him to watch TV or use our tablet or my computer, I make sure what he is doing is educational. He is not allowed to watch a certain show about a sponge and I am very careful monitoring him on what he is seeing and doing.  I learned about a cool channel called Gombby. They have a really cute show called Gombby’s Green Island.  I am so excited that they have a new app that just came out a couple days ago! 

Here’s more information about the new Gombby App:

Gombby Channel gives you access to a selection of the best episodes from Gombby’s Green Island, the 

family friendly educational and entertaining TV Show.

Green Island is home to Gombby, Strawy, Celeste and all their friends! Wheat fields, woods and wonderful caves to explore are the backdrop to their adventures and discoveries all over the island. Gombby, the little baker boy, loves to take the lead in those adventures! The answers to life’s big questions, the mysterious Bugaboo or the Green Island funfair – are just some of the stories that Gombby and his friends live through as they learn about the world around them. Re and Mi - two fabulously colored birds - regularly accompany them on their adventures and Gadget Man never ceases to be their favorite inventor, inventing curiosities such as gravity simulators, paint-making machines or Ferris wheels! Green Island, a world where Gombby and his friends learn about the importance of friendship and sharing. A pro-social series - but not just that! Gombby’s Green Island builds children’s general knowledge and gives them confidence to make healthy lifestyle choices too!

Gombby Channel offers three full episodes that you can download to watch anytime, anywhere, even when no connectivity is available. Additional Gombby’s Green Island episodes are available for a charge.

Features:

• Watch the adventures of Gombby’s Green Island on your iPhone/iPad
• Engaging and Educational adventures that your children will love
• Fully available in 3 different languages – English, Spanish and Portuguese
• Download and store your favorite episodes to watch on the go
• Additional episodes available through in-App purchase
• All the stories are family friendly and are reviewed by a professional team

The Gombby App is available on iTunes

Be sure to like Gombby on Facebook

 Follow Gombby on Twitter

 Check out Gombby on Pinterest

 For more information please visit the Gombby Website

To celebrate this release I have teamed up with Gombby to give away a $50 Amazon Giftcard! Entering is easy, just use The Rafflecopter entry. This is my first time using Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open worldwide! It ends on Feb 13^, 2012 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time