Bugs and Buttons
© 2012 Little Bit Studio, LLC
Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/app/bugs-and-buttons/id446031868?ls=1&mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.littlebitstudio.BugsAndButtons&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5saXR0bGViaXRzdHVkaW8uQnVnc0FuZEJ1dHRvbnMiXQ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CB8BUIK Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bugs-and-buttons-little-bit-studio-llc/1114986978?ean=2940147118238 Once you get past the idea of touching the swarms of realistic roaches, ants, or bees, children quickly fall for this collection of 18 counting and classification activities. Teachers do as well. Why? Because of the way it playfully engages children's early math and logic skills, of the variety that lie at the root of their future math learning. Oh, and there's also a set of peaceful buttons, to counteract the creepiness of the bugs. There are two modes. You can move through a series of well designed structured challenges progressively (progress for one player is bookmarked), or you can freely explore. Management features include the ability to toggle on/off scores, achievements, visual instructions, extended introduction or the background music; all classroom friendly features. The leveling causes the app to get easier if a child struggles. A "bonus mode" presents the hardest challenge. From basics to advanced, Bugs and Buttons is packed with early math and logic skills. Some that we noted include interactive counting, fast paced sorting, problem solving with path finding, and fine motor skills like pinching and pulling. Several of the activities use the multi-touch features of iPad to make the game great huddleware (for a small group). All in all, there's a nice balance of didactic challenge, mixed with open-ended play in this app, with classroom friendly features that will make any teacher smile. Apps like this help remind you why you invested in an iPad.
$2.99, *iPad, iPod touch, iPhone
Teaches: fine motor coordination, racing, classifying, counting, letter recognition, science, math, logic
CTR Rating: 94%