Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Customizable, low-pressure way for tots to practice shapes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Baby Games My First Shapes
What's It About?
Kids simply hit "Play!" on the title page and they're off. A voice says "touch the chair," and kids get from one to 10 objects to choose from (customizable by parents ahead of time). If they touch the chair, the voice offers praise and they move on. If they don't, a funny noise sounds until they touch the right object. To repeat the object named, hit the green square in the corner. The name of the object also appears on top of the page. Parents can customize in four categories of objects and can also upload their own photos.
Is It Any Good?
BABY GAMES MY FIRST SHAPES probably has more bells and whistles than it needs, unless you're a parent who really wants to dig in and add a couple languages or interesting images. Even so, it's good that the app allows parents to customize to a child's level, whether it's sticking to simple shapes to start or moving from two to 10 choices per page. There's no scoring and, oddly, no end to the game until parents shut it off or kids wander away to play with something else. The time limit to answer is also infinite, so there's nothing nagging kids to come back to the game when they've been quizzed enough for the day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Point out the objects and animals from the app when you're out and about, or pick up books about animals and shapes from the library.
Use cookie cutters with play dough to duplicate all the objects you can to reinforce learning through tactile play.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , naming , vocabulary , Math : shapes , Science : animals
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : deduction , Communication : listening
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : May 31, 2011
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Grasshopper Apps
- Version : 2.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 3.2 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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