Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Get to know the original Renaissance man with this charmer.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Da Vinci - History
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
Tap one of seven options on the main menu (Story, Portraits, Sketches, Games, Paintings, Languages, and About Us). The app doesn't indicate which option to choose first, but kids should choose Story and Portraits before playing the games or some likely won't make sense. Once kids tap an option, most are self-explanatory. For example, tap Story and the story about da Vinci's life begins to play; tap Sketches and the first sketch appears, along with an arrow on the side of the page to tap to view more. A menu icon guides kids back to the main menu. Kids can listen to da Vinci's life story presented in a (partially) animated format. Then they can play a matching game or a find-the-difference game; take a quiz; spot 10 Mona Lisas in a scene; learn about other famous historical figures of the Renaissance; and view da Vinci's art and sketches.
Is It Any Good?
DA VINCI -- HISTORY is part of a series of apps for kids by Quelle Histoire about historical figures. With a level of quality fitting for the man it depicts, this app skillfully encourages kids to learn about da Vinci and his art in a beautiful, interactive format. It includes a well-produced audio story, fun games, and beautiful art. With its focus on one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, it's no surprise that this app is particularly visually compelling. It also includes some interesting details that touch on topics like religion and art history, science, and geography. For example, a map located in the corner of the Story feature tracks da Vinci around Italy and France through his life's journey and portrait biographies include those of popes, kings, and other Renaissance artists.
It would have been a smart addition to provide kids with the option to draw their own sketches of inventions alongside da Vinci's or to provide an in-app art tablet on which kids could paint to keep them coming back. Currently, once the story is listened to, the content is read, and the games are played, this app loses its stickiness. Still, Da Vinci - History is highly recommended to introduce kids to da Vinci, his works, and the Renaissance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Encourage your kid to choose the Story and Portraits options first before playing the games, or some games likely won't make sense.
If one painting or sketch captures your kid's imagination, find a website or book that explores it in more detail.
App Details
- Device : iPad
- Subjects : Social Studies : historical figures , history
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : investigation , memorization
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : December 21, 2012
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Quelle Histoire
- Version : 1.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 4.3 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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