 | 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. |
Hickory Dickory Dock
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: Free
- Category: Education
Common Sense Media says
Mini-games, catchy tune expose kids to time-telling basics.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Hickory Dickory Dock is an educational app that teaches kids a beginning lesson of telling time to the hour through play and basic physics concepts. Each of the 12 numbers on the clock takes kids to a mini-game where they interact with the mouse in a fun way. Kids can interact with the scene somewhat without setting the clock to the proper time, but can only interact with it fully once they set the time. Throughout the app, the song Hickory Dickory Dock plays, with each scene reflecting a different verse of the song.
What kids can learn
While Hickory Dickory Dock was created with educational intent, it appears to have limited learning potential. Nursery rhymes and number recognition would appeal to younger kids, but the activities at each level are more suited to older kids. As for telling time, that does not seem to be the intent since the minute hand is not part of the play. Kids would only learn to tell time on the hour.
What's it about?
HICKORY DICKORY DOCK combines a nursery rhyme with numbers and time and a little bit of physics. Kids set the time on the clock by moving the hand to a number. The nursery rhyme then incorporates that number into the song, and kids can play a different physics-related activity with the mouse and the clock at each hour. The rhyme is cute and the games are fun, but the app provides no direction or feedback, and the interface is not intuitive.
Is it any good?
Hickory Dickory Dock is fun to play and entertaining for kids, but it only barely teaches the basics of telling time to the hour. If kids aren't paying attention to the song, they may not understand that what they are doing is setting the clock to a certain time. They may just tap or drag the clock hand to a number without thinking about it. Still, the app is entertaining enough to keep kids playing with the physics-based mini-games, and they may learn the intended lesson as they play the game over and over.
What kids can learn
While Hickory Dickory Dock was created with educational intent, it appears to have limited learning potential. Nursery rhymes and number recognition would appeal to younger kids, but the activities at each level are more suited to older kids. As for telling time, that does not seem to be the intent since the minute hand is not part of the play. Kids would only learn to tell time on the hour.
Subjects
- Language & Reading:
- Math: numbers
- Science: physics
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
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| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | Free |
| Size: | 39.40 MB |
| Publisher: | Mindshapes |
| Version: | 1.0.1 |
| Release date: | September 23, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.3 or later |
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