Shiny Bakery
© 2013 Shiny Things
Cooking can be messy and complicated; but not with this app. The easy to use, clean interface makes it an ideal starter app for older preschoolers or Pre-K learners. As an added bonus, there's a solid dose of early math skills that are grounded in reality, including counting up to ten ("can you add five eggs") and fractions (can you share the cake equally between two people?). Often called "early number sense," this is the type of app that every teacher likes although there are a few missed opportunities. If you make a mistake, say, by adding an extra egg, you get a meaningless splat. It would be better to illustrate the error by comparing the quantities. The recipes are sort of real (using eggs, flower and butter), but fictional items (like shoes and fish) are also also included, which removes the realism from the task. Finally, it would be good if the oven had a timer that was developmentally appropriate for younger children. All in all however, these are minor gripes. This app does a lot for the price, and the cooking theme is one children can relate to. See also Shiny Circus (CTR, March 2014).
$1.99, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch (iOS 7.0 or later)
Teaches: counting, logic, math, fractions, equiliancy
CTR Rating: 84%