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Apps Analysis

By Stefan Dubowski

Monument Valley

Monument Valley app icon

This one's more than a puzzle game. It's calming and pretty with a soothing soundtrack and mind-twisting optical illusions. The goal is to help Princess Ida make her way through a broken landscape that spins, turns, rises and falls like a moving 3D Escher work. Each level requires ingenuity and creativity, making the game quite the brain exercise. Monument Valley came out way back in 2014. But it's still a stunner and worth a look. Suitable for children as young as four, its real sweet spot is more likely eight and up. Curriculum connection: elementary geometry and spatial sense.

DEVICE: Apple, Android
SOURCE: Apple App Store ($5.49), Google Play ($5.99)
RATING: 4+, Everyone

CHEMIST by THIX

CHEMIST by THIX app icon

Chemistry as a stand-alone subject doesn't begin until Grade 9, but with this app students can experiment sooner at their own pace. CHEMIST provides virtual apparatus such as beakers, burners and test tubes to which young scientists can add substances (solids like copper, liquids like sulfuric acid, and gases like oxygen) via simple tap-and-drag. Just a click or two reveals details including substance composition and related reactions. Bonus functionality: turn "explosions" on or off for a close look at what would normally be explosive reactions, without the drama.

DEVICE: Apple, Android
SOURCE: Apple App Store ($11.99), Google Play ($8.99)
RATING: 4+, Everyone

Mazaam — The Musical Genius

Mazaam - The Musical Genius app icon

Feed chameleons, reunite a sea lion family and help squirrels get to bed, all while learning some music basics. That's the idea behind Mazaam, a music-foundations app for four- to six-year-olds. Children get to know tempo, pitch and harmony, and they're introduced to a number of classical music pieces. The creation team includes François Mario Labbé, founder of classical music label Analekta, and violin virtuoso Angèle Dubeau. Note the app is free but a full version costs $9.99 via in-app purchase.

DEVICE: Apple, Android
SOURCE: Apple App Store (free), Google Play (free)
RATING: 4+, Everyone