Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fast app aimed at young kids, but older ones will enjoy too.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Memory Train
What's It About?
Kids tap "Play" and choose an avatar. As scenery on the screen appears to move (as though the app's player is riding on a train), and the player watches objects pass by and needs to memorize the shape, color, or pattern of that object. For example, after a blue circle appears, passes by, and exits the screen, a gray circle appears with three buckets of paint around it. Kids have to recall the passing circle was blue and tap the blue paint bucket to earn points and a star. There are 10 levels, and up to four players can have accounts.
Is It Any Good?
MEMORY TRAIN is a cute, rather brilliant, way to promote attention and memory -- far more engaging than the standard memory flip-card games. Even though the graphics are geared toward younger kids, even kids to age 10 or so can build memory recall skills using this app, so older siblings may enjoy playing against younger ones and still feel challenged because of the increasing difficulty and speedy pace on the higher levels. After each round, kids earn rewards along the train track and watch points rack up for their individual characters. Up to four players can keep running scores on this app. The 10 levels get progressively faster (really fast) and more difficult in memory challenges, such as remembering details within patterns.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Alert your kids to the fact that this game may start out slowly, but gets moving at a pace that may take some getting used to. It's OK, don't give up.
Play other memory games like matching flip-card games or verbal memory games like repetitive songs, funny rhymes, or poems.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , Math : patterns , shapes
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : memorization , problem solving , Emotional Development : handling stress
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : December 12, 2011
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Piikea St. LLC
- Version : 1.12
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 4.0 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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