How It Works? - Games for Kids to Learn & Discover
By Debbie Gorrell,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Superb mix of exploration, games, and offline activities.
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How It Works? - Games for Kids to Learn & Discover
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What’s It About?
Kids start with HOW IT WORKS? – GAMES FOR KIDS TO LEARN & DISCOVER by choosing one of the six topics from the home screen. This takes kids to the open exploration screen, where they can tap beautiful interactive graphics and vocabulary words to learn about a topic. For example, when kids explore the volcano, there is a cross-section diagram of a volcano. It includes tappable vocabulary words such as "crater," "magma," and "lava." When kids tap on the magma at the bottom of the volcano, the magma bubbles upward and the volcano erupts. There are four icons at the top of the screen for the games, investigations, and mini-quizzes. The games and mini-quizzes use simple tapping and dragging, and each investigation includes a materials list and procedures.
Is It Any Good?
Kids are sure to enjoy the learning experience as they explore the colorful graphics and the interactive components of this beautifully designed science tool. The animations are age-appropriate and highly visual, allowing kids to learn through observation. Some of the wording of the vocabulary terms is a little awkward, but it's not enough to distract from learning. One of the best features of this app is that kids have an opportunity to openly explore and apply what they learn. It's not always clear how to interact with the graphics on the main screen, so a few audio hints could help. And the mini-quizzes could be improved with some more targeted feedback. But overall, How It Works? – Games for Kids to Learn & Discover is a terrific, kid-friendly way for kids to explore science.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about real-world experiences they have had with the topics in How It Works? – Games for Kids to Learn & Discover. For example, talk about the parts of the water cycle kids have directly observed. Discuss the kinds of energy kids use at home.
Carry out the investigations together. Be sure to plan ahead by gathering all of the necessary materials. After each investigation, talk about how it relates to the topic.
Ask kids which topic they enjoyed exploring the most and why. What new things did they learn? What did they already know about the topic?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Science: energy, geology, plants
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, investigation, solving puzzles
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: August 21, 2017
- Category: Education
- Topics: STEM, Science and Nature
- Publisher: Planet Factory Interactive S.L.
- Version: 1.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated: September 10, 2017
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