Algebra for Little Ones!

Holy cow! Tyler is actually close to solving algebra problems, he's five! Now let's get real, my kid is not a genius....

He doesn't understand the equations of course... he gets adding and some subtraction...he gets that 3 x 3 is three groups of three and he knows 1 x anything - 1, 0 x anything is 0, and he knows the trick to multiplying 11s and 10s but that's the extent of multiplication... not totally grasped...

but what he does get is "method" of solving equations (which is stepped up slowly in the game).

this is exactly what an educational app should do. it starts with pictures rather than numbers (less intimidating) and "night versions of the pictures" (negatives).

PERFECT! find it HERE

Hungry Fish

I haven't been impressed with most math apps because they just seem so uninspired. Really? do a few additions and get a sticker? I know my kid won't bother...

Then yesterday a mom told me about Hungry Fish and it is a winner for my easy to get bored kid... It is very addictive and feeding the fish to make him bigger must do something to his endorphins, he can't get enough of it.

Just combine numbered bubbles to match the number on your fish! Feed it to him and he will grow... On the way you can customize your fish.

What impressed me most is that the difficulty can be adjusted AND it goes on to subtraction, multiplication and division.

It's a keeper

Buy it here.

Monster Box

Fun Fun Fun.

Monsters pop out of box... starting with a few... slowly increasing...

Quickly determine which one doesn't belong, pop it!

Great for scanning and gets a little harder as you go....

Good focuse because it timed....

Get it HERE

Numbers League

All time favorite for my kiddo...

This is what apps should do... make math fun, not drill...

and heros! and jail! and cards!

What's not to love... addition and keeps on going...


Here is your link

Geared

Right brain fun, just keep those wheels spinning (brain and the gears). No need to read, so intuitive... and if you don't get it dropped in perfectly, it's ok (so fine motor is used but not frustrating)

Hints if you get stuck... Great for all ages...

Get it HERE.

Casey's Contraptions- Update!

Update: It's back on the market now by Rovio... It's now called Amazing Alex

Click here for fun!


We found this app on the iPad's in the children's area of an Apple store. It is one of my favorite apps of all times and one of the highest rated I have ever seen.

Casey is a boy who needs help with knocking down books, moving skateboards, breaking forts and he gives you tools for this. Using catapults, scissors, shelves, ropes and buckets there are many ways to get the job done. On the way, collect stars (making it a little tougher) and unlock each of Casey's rooms for more interesting "contraptions".

For Fantastic Fun for a right brained child click here.

BallFallDown

Fun, free and no constraints. What's not to love?

This is an opportunity for a child to just drop balls, place ramps, tubes and spinners and get the ball to go where ever (or create a basket for catching).

It can be as easy or as hard as wanted and it's a pleasant relaxing way to observe gravity!

Great for the easily frustrated since there are no timers!

For BallFallDown click here

Doodle Fit Fun

So simple, so fun, and so great for focus.

Doodle Fit is similar to the IQ test where you put shapes into a larger shape, there is only one combination for success. It's pure planning and geometry and my kid loves it. He has stayed with this for as long as I'll let him!

Bonus: There are hints, "undo" options and an alphabet series.

Enjoy Doodle Fit here

Egg Punch

I have to admit that my kid IS addicted to this one, and it is a little unnerving. Nevertheless, there are plenty of good reasons to get this app, one of which is that it is free.

Egg Punch is simplistic, graphic rendition of mini-golf, with some pinball elements thrown in (bumpers, remember those?)

When you open each level, you can see the course which with each level, becomes more complex. There are feathers to collect on the way to getting your egg in the hole, tubes and gates, plus a moving wagon (which requires timing.)

It is nicely done for a kid who is frustrated easily, plus mistakes don't mean you have to start the level over again, and the egg (which operates by "slingshot" with the finger) displays an arrow for the direction it will go. These features help avoid meltdowns.

Elements are there for planning, improving efficiency, and spatial understanding. All healthy good stuff for the ADHD kiddo. Have fun HERE.

Why ARE Those Birds so Angry

Angry Birds is pretty much the Pong of my son's generation. If there were a water cooler, my guess is that it would be 99% of the conversation for the boys anyway.

It's a simple slingshot game, firing those angry little birds into the various structures inhibited by those nasty green pigs.. Pretty simple (if unlikely).

Is it great for ADHD kids? Maybe. It is so addictive, it allows for sustained attention, plus there is memorization and planning in to achieve each level.  There will be frustration eventually, so a walk through can be purchased (an app that "walks you through" how to move further when you are stuck). There is physics involved (although it's pretty pretty basic).

Here's the reason why I'd approve it for an ADHD kid:

My son is quite social. He's pretty happy to tell just about everyone on the playground, what to play and how to play it (and most of the time he convinces them, too). He also likes to inform kids of what he knows... So far, no one seems to bothered in his class and his teacher praises him for it... but not all ADHD kids (especially those that may have also be on the spectrum) have that innate ability, so why not give them the common  denominator for a quick (and easy) conversation with just about any other kid?

Give it a try HERE

Cat Physics and Feed Me Oil

ADHD kids like mine seem to be right brained, so when physics is combined with cats or cute monster faces, my kid is pretty happy and stays with the game for a while.

Physics can be hard though, and for that reason, I am recommending Feed Me Oil first. I'm not sure if there is a global warming point to the concept, but the object is to get the oil into the designated space using bars, fans and other gear. What's wonderful is that hints are offered in a light color so that if stuck, there is a way to move forward. This can prevent a giant melt down from frustration, something that happens in my house... The monsters are adorable too...

Click HERE for Feed Me Oil 

Cat Physics does not have hints, a big draw back, but it's still a lot of fun. A ball needs to be passed from one cat to another and arrows are provided so that they can be dragged into the position to guide the ball's direction while it is mid-air. A meow is your reward (as well as the next level) as well as bonus points for efficiency. As it gets harder though, i am usually called in for a consult... (and we are now over my head, a separate app for help is available if you are stuck.)

Click HERE for Cat Physics

Both games are fun and may be addictive to adults as well. They offer plenty of opportunities for planning ahead, something especially useful for a child with ADHD.

Cut the Rope

Your adorable monster has arrived, and it wants candy.

Using the laws of physics, including pendulum swings, gravity and elastic rebounding, you can deliver the candy to the little cutie.

So why is this app so great for the ADHD kid?

Instant gratification helps. While there is a scoring system for the execution of each level, each level can be attained fairly easily. (levels go on, and new monsters arrive in new packages)

Persistence is required, but mistakes can easily be rectified quickly, thus keeping frustration levels fairly low.

To succeed, one has to try and fail, but remember what didn't work. This uses working memory (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory to understand how working memory present sas attention, something my child naturally lacks.

 The game can be played by kids as young as three but entertains those of us well into our forties...

Click here for 99 cents of fun (and the music is addictive too)

Not an App but VERY Fun

Sometimes, you just need the real thing... and when it comes to ADHD kiddos, you need it squishy too. Check out "Electric Playdough" on Toys Are Tools.