Technology is a big part of our lives and our children’s lives these days. We work in IT and as such have various different gadgets as do the boys. We do limit their screen time, but apps are useful and can be educational too. Aria on the other hand has been wanted to have a try at some apps, but I haven’t come across one I thought was suitable until now. Count Me In 123 Number Chums App is new app from the Clydesdale Bank helping pre-schoolers learn about letters, sounds, colours and numbers.
The Count Me In App itself is free and available from the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Or it can be played on a desktop pc. Designed to encourage parents to help their children learn and develop maths skills before starting primary. I loved that the narrator has a Scottish accent which Aria can relate too, it’s a nice touch. Usually we find it’s an English accent or American. As it is aimed at a pre-schooler it is simple to use clicking on the bright coloured shapes.
Aria loved the Number Chums characters which consist of a cute little bunny who helps your child learn all about shapes. There are four different shapes and your child is asked to pick a specific one. I love that the question is displayed in three different ways, the bunny is visibly thinking of the shape in a think bubble, you can read the text if they are a little bit more advanced and bunny asks the child to find a shape. There is also a repeat button if you want to hear it again. The fact there are so many different options to depict the question, it means it can grow with your child as they learn.
One of the main characters is the cheeky little money which helps your little one to learn about counting. It starts by slowly counting up to ten, showing your child the number and also saying it aloud before starting the number challenge. The monkey will ask how many birds for example there are on the screen, as with the bunny there are three ways to read, hear or see the question.
The final character is Croc the crocodile. He helps your child to learn about big and small. Similar concept to the others, you can read the question and hear what croc is asking. Selecting your answer, it gets more difficult as you go. Starting with two options it then goes up to four. A lot of fun and learning as you play.
If the answer is incorrect the character will say “uh oh try again” which is cute and gives the child a chance to correct their answer and try again. When correct your child will be told they are right in an enthusiastic and encouraging manner. After a few correct answers it praises your child that they are a champion and has some ribbon falling onto the characters, it’s very sweet.
The parenting section which can be accessed from the main page requires the answer to a sum which pre-schoolers wouldn’t be able to answer. From here you can find out more about the application, follow them on social media and find out more about the Clydesdale bank.
Extending the learning at home there are various different free work sheets that you can download and print. They help with numeracy and are great for the older pre-schooler giving them a good handle on numbers before starting school. We have printed a few off and coloured in the different sections. It’s another depth to this great app. For younger ones there is a great little story with learning opportunities that help with numeracy skills.
The Count Me In 123 Number Chums app has helped Aria with her speech, colours and definitely her numbers. She is repeating the words back to the characters she loves and smiling when they praise her for getting it right. Aria loves to watch her brothers play their apps, but gets frustrated as she can’t play them. This app is perfect for her, she can navigate her way through it simply and answer the questions, if she gets them wrong she is prompted to try again. There is no frustration or need to worry, it is just simply learning through fun.
We love the Number Chums app, it is fun through learning at its best. The app is delightful, friendly, colourful and bright. A joy to play and watch your little pre-schooler have fun and learn. The games are simple and effective and will have your little one counting before you know it. This gets a big thumbs up from me and Aria.
Disclaimer:- We were sent an iPad mini to review this app on, however all opinions and words are my own.