Laura�s Star - Learning Languages for Kids

$2.99, iPad, iPhone

Teaches: language, memory, vocabulary

CTR Rating: 86%

CTR Review

High quality illustrations and pleasant piano music are the hallmarks of this vocabulary building app. Touch and hear the verbal label for 200 common household items, scattered between nine scenes. The app does a good job used in everyday life, although US teachers will want to know that it is possible to tell that the app was made in Europe. For example, the dish soap is called "washing-up liquid" and paper towels are called a "kitchen roll". The title is listed as "Laura's Stern" instead of "Laura's Star" for example. Some of the items, like the banana, are animated with a silly gag, creating a setting that is fun to explore. There are several modes of play. You can either freely explore, or try to earn stars by finding items in the scene. You can also decorate a room, by dragging and dropping items onto a background. The language can be changed anytime to one of four (English, German, French, Spanish) by tapping on the bear. Despite the poor USA localization, toggle between the languages to see how they are pronounced. Features include a parent's area where you can adjust the background music or visit a related video. Based on the movies of Laura Stern, based on the books by Klaus Baumgart