Common Sense Media Review
By Mark Raby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Repetitive ed game does little with spelling and grammar.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Kids Learn Spelling & Grammar: A+ Edition
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
KIDS LEARN SPELLING & GRAMMAR: A+ EDITION contains a variety of mini-games, though only a handful of them are focused on spelling and grammar. These include forming words by connecting letters or syllables, choosing synonyms of words, and finding antonyms of different words. The other mini-games include reinforcing basic math skills, recognizing patterns, and testing cognitive reasoning. In total, there are 15 mini-games.
Is It Any Good?
Kids Learn Spelling & Grammar: A+ Edition is almost a misnomer as the focus is not entirely on spelling and grammar. There are completely unrelated mini-games that test players in the areas of math and cognitive reasoning. The problem is that mini-games aren't very engaging and many are repetitive in format.
Many of the mini-games are essentially the same as other mini-games but with a different presentation. For example, one mini-game requires players to find the missing letter in the form of an "I Spy" mini-game, while another mini-game has a high-tech aesthetic to it but uses the exact same letter-finding mechanic. In total, there are 15 mini-games but only 3 truly unique spelling or grammar-related games. Even those three unique mechanics are all relatively uninspiring and rarely encourage players to really think it out. Instead, the mini-games are more a measure of players' existing vocabulary. It is perhaps a start for players who want to test and measure their vocabulary, but it is by no means a comprehensive educational product.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about introducing their children to video games. What value do games have in a child's upbringing?
What mini-game is your favorite and why? Are there any games that you struggled with?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo DS
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Talking Stick Games
- Release date : January 17, 2012
- Genre : Educational
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 21, 2022
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