Parents' Guide to Math Wizard for Kids

Fun, open-ended number exploration can be a great way to help kids feel comfortable with numbers, even if there are some elements that are less clear. Often when kids simply play and explore, learning just comes naturally -- and that's the best kind of learning. Math Wizard for Kids attempts to give kids a platform to learn without realizing they're learning, with just a bit of guidance and scaffolding and a lot of opportunities for manipulating numbers. And with lots of customization options, the app aims to fit a wide range of familiarity levels and comfort with numbers. Yet, there's a fine line between an exploration-based customizable learning tool and an overwhelming app that doesn't quite get its point across. Math Wizard for Kids sometimes rides that line, and some kids may find this approach confusing, whereas for others it may work wonders. A few other things keep this great idea from shining: Interaction within the app sometimes feels awkward, such as dragging numbers on top of others, and clearing them from the work board doesn't always work smoothly. There's no way for kids to see their progress, and the usage report for parents isn't very informative. Overall, this is a carefully constructed app with lots of potential learning that could use a little fine-tuning to make use clearer for kids.