123 Tracing App Review

Learning to write is a very important thing for a child to learn. I remember when Noah tried to scribble and say he was writing. That is a normal thing to do of course. Noah started writing at age 3.  He still has handwriting issues.  He is very smart but for some reason making letters and numbers properly is somewhat of a challenge for him. It takes a lot of practice for kids to learn how to properly write their numbers to be able to read what their answer is. Noah’s handwriting is not where I would like it but he is definitely improved.  His math work is correct but sometimes I have to have him rewrite the numbers again. I have started him on a new educational app called 123 Tracing to help him practice writing his numbers. 123 Tracing is made by Kid's Academy. They have so many fun apps. When I taught at a Montessori preschool, one of the things we did with the kids was have them trace letters and numbers by practicing writing them in sand.  123 Tracing reminded me of doing that. I think it is important to trace with your finger because it helps you not only practice making the number but to also feel it.  There is a difference between using a pencil to write it and feeling it and watching your finger make the number.  I think there is definitely more of a connection.  I didn’t tell him that it is an app to practice writing his numbers but just a new game he should try out.  He loves it.  He loves to collect the fireflies too! 

Here is more about the app from the developer:

123 Tracing is an action-packed app that teaches kids numbers with engaging game that keeps them glued to the screen. Your little learners will have tons of fun learning their numbers in the interactive app loved by kids and parents alike.

This math game teaches fundamental math concepts critical for preschoolers: identifying numbers; one-to-one number correspondence; reading number symbols; associating symbols with quantity etc. Appropriate hints are provided to support your child as they practice and build their math skills. Not only can they discover numbers through initial independent play, you can also play collaboratively with your child. 

FEATURES

* Game that make learning numbers a blast!
* Kid-friendly navigation
* Frequent repetition designed to help children learn numbers and their sequence
* Fun surprises and verbal encouragement that keep kids coming back for more
* Curriculum developed and reviewed by preschool education expert
* A rich, exploratory environment filled with surprises
* Audio instructions
* Kid-tested appropriate game

Why you'll love it:

* Active learning: children learn by "doing," completing a fun activity for every number.
* Strong educational content: playtime turns into productive learning, keeping children occupied while teaching them the numbers they need for math.

123 Tracing with its unique graphical styling, beautiful music, and interactivity is designed to engage, entertain, and educate your kids.

123 Tracing is available in iTunes for iPad.

It is also available in the Google PlayStore for Android users.

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.

Givit's iPad Mini Contest and $50 VISA Giftcard Giveaway

It’s time to remember what we are thankful for. Do you want to have the chance to win an iPad Mini? All you have to do is simply download Givit for free, record a video of anything – kids, dog tricks, your Thanksgiving meal, or whatever you are thankful for.

Here is how you do it and the requirements:

Create a fun video* with the Givit app that shows off what you’re most thankful for, making sure your video includes the following elements:

Between 15 and 90 seconds long

At least one effect (Either a Motion Effect, Transition and/or Music)

Share your Highlighted video masterpiece through the Givit app, via private share email, with Givit at ThanksGivit@givit.com (be sure to keep the ‘Allow Private’ and ‘Allow Public’ boxes checked and include your name, email address and either a Facebook or Twitter account for them to reach you at if you win).

Finally, as a last step, either “Like” the Givit page on Facebook OR Follow them on Twitter

Submissions will be judged on creativity and the best use of Givit’s Highlighting and effects features.

So, what are you waiting for? Enter ThanksGivit as many times as you like and show us, through video, all the great things there are to be thankful for!

Check out some examples of great entries on Tumblr: http://givitvideo.tumblr.com

The contest runs from Nov. 12 through Dec. 7

Here are the Official Rules.

Download the app for iPhone or iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/givit-video-highlighter/id560803488?mt=8

I definitely want to enter this contest!  It sounds like so much fun.  I really have so much to be thankful for. I hope you enter too. I would love to see your videos.

I have a special giveaway just for my readers.  One of you will win a $50 VISA gift card. I am so excited to have the chance to give this away because I am sure it will be helpful for holiday shopping.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what you are thankful for

You must do the main entry to receive the bonus entries.

Bonus Entries:

Like the Givit page on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/GivitVideo 

Follow Givit on Twitter

Please remember to include your email address so I know how to contact you for your prize.

This giveaway is open to US Residents only. My giveaway will end December 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm ET

Good Luck!

I received a gift card and one to give away from Givit.  All my thoughts and opinions are my own.