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By Stefan Dubowski
Time to play! This app helps children learn to tell time, introducing them to concepts such as a.m. and p.m., and the differences between 12- hour and 24-hour clocks. Artists, educators and parents assisted in the design. The program offers games that make time fly! Stop the Clock, for example, challenges children to halt the timepiece at a specified moment. Five difficulty levels help students progressively master the skill. Supportive voice-overs, cheery music and a reward system (score fish to put into the digital fish tank!) motivate fledgling time-tellers. To unlock substantially more features, purchase the full version ($3.49 for Apple, $2.99 for Android).
DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes; Google Play (free)
RATING: 4+; Unrated
EDULULU RATING: 4/5
Here’s a new angle on geometry. Designed for ages 12+, Geometry Pad lets users create, change and measure all sorts of shapes for a deeper understanding of the subject. Optional tools let you create special triangles, quadrilaterals, medians and altitudes. Use the compass to plot arcs. Wield the pencil to draw freehand. Rotate shapes and create reflections to explore geometric patterns from different perspectives. Note that the free version doesn’t include all of these features. The compass and the reflection tool, for instance, require an in-app upgrade. Consider the Premium Features Pack ($7.99 for Apple, $6.59 for Android) to get the full range of functions.
DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes; Google Play (free)
RATING: 4+; Unrated
EDULULU RATING: 4/5
Described as Minecraft for juniors, Toca Builders invites youngsters from five to 11 to stack, move and paint cubes — all with an eye toward forming shapes and structures. The app has users controlling six little characters, each with its own special tools and skills. Cooper the Ball paints the ground. Connie the Crane moves cubes and Blox the Hammer smashes them with his mallet hands. As children play, they hone their hand-eye co-ordination and stretch their imaginations. No third-party ads, no rules, no time limits. The Toca Builders app gives precocious inventors an opportunity to channel their creativity into virtual creations.
DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes; Google Play ($3.49)
RATING: 4+; Everyone
EDULULU RATING: 4/5
EduLulu is part of Groupe Média TFO, a world leader in education. The online guide’s evaluations are the work of teams of independent experts (including OCTs), who review up to 100 English, French and bilingual educational apps (iOS and Android) each month for ages 2 to 17. To access the complete list and search by filter, visit edululu.org/en. Interested in becoming an EduLulu evaluator? Go to bit.ly/1CQOQPO to learn how to get involved.