 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
GazziliShapes
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: $1.99
- Category: Education
Common Sense Media says
Cute games best for kids who already know shapes.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that GAZZILISHAPES is best for kids who are able to follow a simple string of instructions while recognizing shapes in everyday objects like pizza toppings and beads on a necklace. It's not for toddlers who are just learning their shapes. The first time they play they must do each of the six activities in a particular order, earning a shape each time that completes a picture. After that they can redo their favorites in any order. When kids pause during an activity directions are repeated and hints are given. Thanks to a prominent menu button, it may be easy for kids to click on Twitter, Facebook, or an email link, but luckily a Twitter link that appears on top of each activity page can be turned off in settings. Music, sound effects, and instructions can also be turned off.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to look for shapes in everyday objects such as beads in a necklace and aquatic creatures with GazziliShapes. The app isn't for toddlers who are just learning their shapes -- it's for young kids who already know the basics. Kids have a certain number of shapes to find in each activity and must follow simple directions to complete the activity. The characters they're helping spout simple facts about shapes, some useful ("a hexagon has six sides") and some not. GazziliShapes is best at helping kids hunt down shapes and practice following step-by-step instructions.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingfollowing directions
- Mathcounting, shapes
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communicationlistening
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
The first time kids play GAZZILISHAPES they must do each of six activities in a particular order, earning a shape each time that completes a picture. After that favorite activities can be redone in any order. When kids pause while playing directions are repeated and hints are given. In the pizza delivery activity kids tap the square window, a van pulls up, they tap the rectangles in the door to open it, they tap the pizza box open, then the shapes of the toppings, then tap the triangular pieces to watch the pizza disappear in bites. The number of each shape found during the activity is flashed across the screen before they're taken back to the main menu.
Is it any good?
The characters in GAZZILISHAPES are cute, especially the weird purple dude who hammers on the spaceship and balances on a ball in the circus. All the activities are ones kids like -- who doesn't like to make cookies? Younger kids may get frustrated that they have to follow directions more than they get to just explore and move around where they want, but that makes it a bit more educational; most kids could use a little practice following directions.
Most younger kids won't notice or understand the key at the bottom that tells them how many of each shape they need to find or the congratulations box at the end of each activity that explains how many of each shape they found. Something more reinforcing would have been better like, "You found two ovals" while showing them the oval eggs they cracked right next to an oval shape. Parents will have to throw in those reminders here and there, which may just be a good thing: When the game is done, you can keep pointing out shapes all over the house and out in the world. Happy hunting.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to look for shapes in everyday objects such as beads in a necklace and aquatic creatures with GazziliShapes. The app isn't for toddlers who are just learning their shapes -- it's for young kids who already know the basics. Kids have a certain number of shapes to find in each activity and must follow simple directions to complete the activity. The characters they're helping spout simple facts about shapes, some useful ("a hexagon has six sides") and some not. GazziliShapes is best at helping kids hunt down shapes and practice following step-by-step instructions.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: following directions
- Math: counting, shapes
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication: listening
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
Each activity encourages kids to look more closely at everyday objects to find shapes. It also shows kids that following a set of instructions can be rewarding. If they get distracted, instructions are repeated. At the end of the activity the number of each shape found is counted out. Kids would get more out of this feature if it tied in better with what they actually found (as in, "you found three oval eggs" instead of simply "three ovals").
How parents can help
- Point out shapes in everyday objects wherever you go.
- Chop up veggies and cheese in fun shapes as a snack.
- Cut out lots of shapes with bright tissue paper, make a collage, then count all the shapes together.
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| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | $1.99 |
| Size: | 58.60 MB |
| Publisher: | GazziliWorld |
| Version: | 1.0.0 |
| Release date: | November 17, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 3.0 or later |
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